Build over cubed ice, add soda, and stir gently
Americano
Bitter orange, sweet herbs, and a light sparkling finish.
Build over generous cubed ice, sparkling wine first, then stir gently
Aperol Spritz
A low-proof Italian aperitivo built sparkling wine first so its bubbles stay lively beneath Aperol's orange bitterness.
Edited by CocktailSteps Editorial Team
- Time
- 3 minutes
- Level
- Easy
- Glass
- Wine glass
- Approx. ABV
- 8% · Low
- Tradition
- Italian
- Profile
- Sweet · Bitter · Citrus · Herbal
Ingredient totals
Ingredients
Amounts below make one drink. The method, Quick Check, and guided Make use these one-glass amounts.
3 ozProseccoRecommended brandLa Marca Prosecco
2 ozAperolRecommended brandAperol Aperitivo
1 ozSoda waterRecommended brandFever-Tree Premium Club Soda
1 sliceOrange sliceOptionalRecommended brandSunkist Navel Orange
Measured method · one drink
How to make Aperol Spritz
These steps make one glass. For more drinks, use the ingredient totals above to set up, then repeat this method for each serving.
- 01
Add the Prosecco
Cubed ice · 3 oz Prosecco
Pour 3 oz Prosecco into a large wine glass prepared with generous cubed ice.
Add the Prosecco visual check - 02
Add the Aperol
2 oz Aperol
Pour 2 oz Aperol slowly into the Prosecco so the orange aperitivo settles through the bubbles.
Add the Aperol visual check - 03
Top with soda
1 oz soda water
Top gently with 1 oz soda water.
Top with soda visual check - 04
Stir once, gently
Stir gently · 3 sec
Stir gently for 3 seconds to integrate the spritz without flattening its bubbles.
Stir once, gently visual check - 05
Finish with orange
1 orange slice
Slip 1 fresh orange slice into the drink and serve immediately.
Finish with orange visual check
Pour 3 oz Prosecco into a large wine glass prepared with generous cubed ice.
AI-assisted illustration of one step. Follow the measured method above; sound is optional.Key move
Add Prosecco before Aperol and keep the final stir delicate
Technique note
Why this build works
The 3:2:1 measures give Prosecco the largest share, Aperol enough room for orange bitterness, and soda a smaller role in lightening sweetness. A roomy wine glass holds the full recipe and generous ice without forcing the bubbles over the rim. Aperol is denser than the sparkling ingredients, so it needs gentle integration. Stir only until the orange color is even; longer stirring spends carbonation that cannot be recovered.
Common failure points
- The last sip is far sweeter and more bitter than the first.
- Lift the spoon gently from the bottom where Aperol settles. Check for even color rather than making a few circles only at the surface.
- The spritz tastes heavy despite plenty of bubbles.
- Check the wine's sweetness and measure the 2 ounces of Aperol. A sweeter Prosecco or an extra aperitivo pour changes the balance; adding more ice alone will not immediately correct it.
Measure or substitute
Another dry sparkling wine works at 3 ounces. Campari, Cynar, and Select make other spritz styles mentioned by the IBA, but they are not flavor-equivalent Aperol swaps. Tonic instead of soda adds further sweetness and bitterness.
Recipe references
These references describe the drink or its ingredients. Our measured build and teaching notes are CocktailSteps adaptations; proportions and methods may differ from the reference.
Set the station
Tools
JiggerRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Japanese Style Jigger
Bar spoonRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Teardrop Barspoon
Wine glassRecommended brandRIEDEL Ouverture Magnum Glass
Choose your bottle
Bottle buying guide
Best fit is our default. Spend less with Smart buy, or choose Upgrade when you want more character.
Prosecco
Aperol
Know the pour
Low
Low-proof Aperol and Prosecco are lengthened with soda and generous ice.
Contains alcohol. Serve only to adults of legal drinking age and enjoy responsibly.
