This orange aperol spritz is a bubbly cocktail with punches of citrusy orange flavor and bitter notes. It has a homemade blood orange simple syrup that perfectly compliments the bitter aperol flavor. It is sure to be your new favorite summer cocktail!
The best time of year is upon us... spritz season! And we're giving it the warmest welcome with this orange aperol spritz. This refreshing cocktail is full of citrusy flavor with Italian Aperol, blood orange simple syrup, and fresh orange juice. Of all aperol spritz cocktails, this one punches the most citrus flavor!
If summer could have a signature cocktail it would be this orange aperol spritz. Not only is it such a refreshing drink, but its bright orange color screams summer. It is the perfect cocktail to enjoy on a warm day grilling or by the pool.
If you love this easy Aperol spritz recipe, you must try my Aperol soda, strawberry Aperol spritz, and Aperol sour!
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ingredients 🧾
Orange Aperol Spritz:
Aperol: You will need 2 ounces of Aperol for this Aperol spritz cocktail. Aperol is an Italian bitter apéritif that has citrus flavor and a bright orange color. You can get a bottle of Aperol at most grocery stores or any liquor store. It can usually be found in the Italian liqueur section next to the Campari.
Prosecco: You will need 3 ounces of prosecco. The best prosecco to use for this recipe is a dry prosecco, either brut or extra brut. Using a dry, sharp prosecco works best for this recipe since we add sweetness with the blood orange simple syrup. However, if you prefer a sweeter drink, you can use a sweet sparkling wine like dry or demi-sec prosecco.
Blood Orange Simple Syrup: Blood orange simple syrup is a key ingredient to this orange aperol spritz. See below for the ingredients of homemade blood orange simple syrup. If you prefer to just buy simple syrup instead of making it homemade, you can purchase the Monin blood orange simple syrup. You will only need a little bit of simple syrup, about .5 ounce.
Club soda: Just a splash of soda water balances out this orange Aperol spritz recipe. My favorite club soda is Topo Chico Club soda or Fever Tree Club soda. You can also try flavored sparkling water like the San Pellegrino orange. Or even Dry soda company's vanilla bean sparkling soda for a touch of vanilla flavor. You will need about 1 ounce of club soda.
Orange: Just a splash of orange juice is added to the cocktail for extra citrus flavor, about half an orange. The remaining half of the orange can be cut into slices and used for garnish.
Blood Orange Simple Syrup:
Oranges: 4 blood oranges make the exclusive note of orange in the syrup. The flavor of juicy blood orange pairs heavenly with the bitter flavors of Aperol in this cocktail.
Sugar: You will need 1 cup of white granulated sugar. This is the base of the simple syrup.
Find the full ingredient measurements and instructions in the recipe card below!
variations & substitutions 📖
Change the simple syrup flavor. Aperol's bitter notes go so well with juicy blood oranges but you can use a variety of different citrus in the simple syrup instead to bring out other flavor notes. Try navel oranges for a sweeter, juicy cocktail or ruby red grapefruit for a tart, refreshing cocktail.
To make this aperol spritz a mocktail, use non-alcoholic alternatives. My favorite non-alcoholic alternative Aperol is the brand, Ritual Zero Proof. You can also make it have low alcohol content by just replacing the prosecco with club soda or soda water.
tips & tricks 👩🏻🍳
Drink this Italian cocktail out of a gorgeous wine glass. This Aperol drink deserves to be in a beautiful cocktail glass. Try these luxurious extra-large wine glasses or vintage orange bubbled stemless wine glasses.
Include lots of ice in this aperol spritz. In your aperol spritz use large ice cubes or pebble ice.
This Aperol spritz recipe only calls for 2 ounces of Aperol so keep the remaining alcohol at your home bar for more Aperol cocktail recipes, like my Aperol martini, Aperol margarita, and Aperol Paloma! Aperol is such a great versatile liqueur and is used in so many cocktail recipes.
step by step instructions 🔪
Step #1 - Make the blood orange simple syrup. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the blood orange juice and sugar. Bring to a boil until the sugar has melted.
Step #2 - Steep the simple syrup. Then remove from the heat and let the flavors steep for at least 10 minutes. Using a mesh sieve strain out any orange pulp and pour the syrup into a mason jar.
Step #3 - Make the cocktail. In a large wine glass or a cocktail shaker, add the 2 oz Aperol and ½ ounce of blood orange simple syrup. Using a bar spoon give it a gentle stir to combine.
Step #4 - Top off and garnish the cocktail. Pour ice into the drink. Add the 3 oz prosecco and a splash of club soda. Top with a slice of orange. Cheers!
serving suggestions 🍽️
Serve this orange aperol spritz over ice in a wine glass topped with an orange wedge or preserved orange slice. You can add fresh herbs like mint or thyme as garnish as well.
To complete your happy hour, pair this Aperol cocktail alongside or light appetizers like fried goat cheese balls, air fryer brie bites, and rosemary focaccia bread.
storage 🫙
Store the homemade blood orange simple syrup in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in a jar or airtight container.
faq’s ❓
A classic aperol spritz recipe is a 3-2-1 ratio (3 parts prosecco, 2 parts aperol, and 1 part soda water). Depending on how you like your cocktail, you can use a different ratio. If you prefer a weaker aperol spritz use less aperol about 1 ounce or if you prefer a stronger aperol spritz use equal parts aperol and prosecco, about 3 ounces.
An aperol spritz can be enjoyed many ways but the most popular is with good company while eating light snacks like chips, olives, nuts, or bread with olive oil. It is such a good drink to enjoy on a warm summer day.
other cocktail recipes
It warms me up to see you make my recipes! Tag me on instagram @essenceeats so I can see your remakes. If you made this recipe, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below. Also, please leave a star rating while you're there ☆
recipe 📋
Orange Aperol Spritz
This orange aperol spritz is a bubbly cocktail with punches of citrusy orange flavor and bitter notes. It has a homemade blood orange simple syrup that perfectly compliments the bitter aperol flavor.
Ingredients
Orange Aperol Spritz
- 2 ounces Aperol
- 3 ounces prosecco
- ½ ounce blood orange simple syrup
- 1 ounce club soda
- Orange (half juiced for cocktail, other half sliced for garnish)
Blood Orange Simple Syrup
- 4 blood oranges (juiced)
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
Instructions
1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the blood orange juice and sugar. Bring to a boil until the sugar has melted.
2. Then remove from the heat and let the flavors steep for at least 10 minutes. Using a mesh sieve strain out any orange pulp and pour the syrup into a mason jar.
3. In a large wine glass or a cocktail shaker, add the 2 ounces Aperol and ½ ounce of blood orange simple syrup. Using a bar spoon give it a gentle stir to combine.
4. Pour ice into the drink. Add the 3 ounces prosecco, juice of half an orange, and 1 ounce of club soda. Top with a slice of orange. Cheers!
Notes
Storage Instructions:
Store the homemade blood orange simple syrup in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in a jar or airtight container.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 160Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 1gSugar: 36gProtein: 1g
All nutrition facts are estimations. Please see a physician for any health-related inquiries.
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