This refreshing craft cocktail is a twist on the classic Italian cocktail. This Aperol Spritz is made with beautiful blood oranges for added sweetness and a colorful presentation.
★ Why You'll Love this Recipe ★
This blood orange aperol spritz is the perfect cocktail for spring and summer!
It’s fresh and fruity, sweetened with blood orange juice, and topped with prosecco to add a bit of bubbles.
This spritz is a common aperitivo (pre-meal) to enjoy before dinner in Italy. Serve it with a simple cheese board and your guests are sure to be impressed!
This classic Italian cocktail is know for it's bubbly bright flavor but it can be a bit bitter. So adding some colorful blood oranges as garnish as well as incorporating some of the juice, really enhances the look and flavor of this refreshing drink.
★ Ingredients You'll Need ★
This craft cocktail requires just a handful of ingredients.
Here's everything you'll need:
- Aperol. This is an redish-orange Italian liqueur that has the flavor of orange rinds. It can be a bit bitter on its own.
- Blood oranges. You can use regular orange as well but blood oranges add a nice color and make a striking garnish. You'll juice some of the oranges and slice the remainders for the finishing touch. Short on time? You can also just use orange juice from the carton.
- Prosecco. This is similar to champagne in that it's essentially bubbly wine. Prosecco is not overly sweet but it's not dry. It's somewhere in the middle which works well when combining with the sweet orange juice.
- Club soda. This dilute the bitterness of the aperol and adds additional bubbles for the full "spritz" experience.
★ How to Make this Cocktail ★
This cocktail is crafted in just a few simple steps. The most complicated part is squeezing the oranges. I recommend a handheld orange juicer that catches seeds to do this easily.
Here is a snapshot of building this drink: (Full recipe with measurements can be found below.)
★ Tips & FAQs ★
What does an Aperol Spritz taste like?
An Aperol Spritz has a refreshing and bittersweet flavor profile. The Aperol provides a distinct bitter orange taste with herbal notes, while the prosecco adds a light and bubbly sweetness. The soda water adds effervescence and helps balance the flavors.
Can I substitute ingredients in an Aperol Spritz?
While the traditional recipe calls for Aperol, prosecco, and soda water, you can experiment with substitutes. For example, you could use a different bitter liqueur like Campari instead of Aperol or sparkling wine instead of prosecco. However, these substitutions will alter the taste and character of the drink.
Is an Aperol Spritz a strong cocktail?
No, an Aperol Spritz is generally considered a lighter and lower-alcohol cocktail. Aperol has an alcohol content of 11% by volume, and when combined with prosecco and soda water, the overall alcohol content remains relatively low.
Are there any variations of the Aperol Spritz?
Yes, there are variations of the Aperol Spritz. For example, you can add a splash of fruit juice like grapefruit or blood orange to enhance the citrus flavors. Some recipes also suggest adding a dash of bitters or substituting different sparkling wines or liqueurs.
When is the best time to enjoy an Aperol Spritz?
An Aperol Spritz is often enjoyed as an aperitivo, a pre-dinner drink in Italy. It is a popular choice for warm weather and outdoor gatherings. However, you can enjoy it any time you desire a light, refreshing cocktail with a bitter-sweet flavor.
Does Aperol Spritz have any cultural significance?
Yes, the Aperol Spritz has become an iconic drink associated with Italian culture and the traditional "Italian-style" aperitivo hour. It gained popularity worldwide and is now enjoyed in many countries, particularly during summer months.
Non-alcoholic Aperol Spritz
If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, you can substitute Aperol with non-alcoholic bitter orange liqueurs available in the market. Combine it with non-alcoholic sparkling wine or sparkling water (any flavor or choose one with orange), and you can still enjoy a refreshing and flavorful mocktail.
★ More Recipes You'll Love ★
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Blood Orange Aperol Spritz
Ingredients
- 4 oz Aperol
- 1 oz blood orange juice (about ยฝ an orange)
- ½ cup crushed ice
- 1 oz lime flavored club soda
- 2 oz Prosecco
Garnish
- 2 slices blood orange
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Instructions
- Add aperol and blood orange juice to a highball glass or large wine glass, then fill halfway with ice.
- Gently pour prosecco then finish off with club soda.
- Garnish with slices of blood orange and enjoy immediately.
Notes
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