Mastering a classic cocktail doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and we’re here to prove it! This classic Italian cocktail is seeing a revival, and this Aperol Spritz recipe 3-2-1 (representing the classic ratio of ingredients) will taste just like it should. Balancing the sweetness, crisp notes and bitterness of the Aperol is key to mixing, and making the perfect Aperol Spritz.
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The Essential Aperol Spritz 3-2-1 Ratio
The crispness of the Prosecco, the bitter tones and sweetness of the Aperol and a splash of soda water. Sounds like a cinch, right? Wrong. Mixing this cocktail in the wrong ratio will render it utterly undrinkable. Some may prefer to tweak this ratio slightly to meet a sweeter or more bitter taste profile, but starting with a classic 3-2-1 ratio will ensure that you make a balanced cocktail to please the masses.
The ratio goes like this: 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water.
The Prosecco
Good news! You don’t need to spend a lot on Prosecco to make a great Aperol Spritz. However, you’ll want to be an educated Buyer to ensure that you pick up a decent one. You’ll want one on the dry side, nothing too sweet or the flavor profile of your spritz will suffer.
For quick selection criteria, follow these key tips: at the very least, the Prosecco should be of Italian origin (duh!). In addition, , and you can look for the acronym ‘DOC’ if you need a quick quality checkpoint. Bonus points if you see ‘DOCG’, as that indicates an even higher quality bottle.
Basically, if your selected bottle fits the budget, is Italian, and carries either of those acronyms on the label… you probably can’t go wrong.
Aperol
Take our word for it. Don’t substitute anything else! This drink is known by it’s brand for a reason. There’s only one Aperol. This liqueur can be a little hard to find, but is increasingly available given the rise in popularity of the Aperol Spritz in recent years. Most specialty liquor stores will carry it, and if you’re unsure… call ahead to make sure you don’t have to run all over town to find it. Worst case, you can order it on Amazon.
Soda Water
The soda water ‘floater’ is essential to the balance of the drink. Don’t skip it! I use a soda stream, and just use plain bubbled tap water for mine – but any good sparkling water will do. Some easy to find alternatives that come to mind are: Pure LaCroix (flavor free), Topo Chico and San Pellengrino (if you want some extra Italian vibes).
The Aperol Spritz – A Popular Modern Cocktail For Every Season
Aperol Spritz Recipe 3-2-1 | How To Make The Best Aperol Spritz
Ingredients
- Prosecco (inexpensive, but decent quality)
- Aperol Liqueur
- Soda Water (Topo Chico or Plain LaCroix work well, I use a Soda Stream)
- Garnish of choice (orange or lemon slice)
Directions
- Fill a spritz glass 1/3 full of ice cubes
- Pour in 3 oz. of Prosecco
- Add 2 oz. of Aperol
- Top with 1 oz. of Soda Water
- Garnish with a slice of orange or lemon (I prefer lemon)
The secret? Use a lemon slice for garnish! Squeeze to add just a twist of lemon juice, and then submerge it into the drink. It makes it pretty, and the lemon gives the drink an added fragrance and citrus note that puts it over the top. You’ll traditionally see this drink garnished with an orange slice, but using a lemon instead is a little secret to make yours Aperol Spritz especially divine!
