This strawberry aperol spritz is a fruity twist on a traditional aperol spritz with bubbly prosecco, fresh strawberries, bitter aperol, and a homemade strawberry simple syrup. There is no better cocktail to enjoy in the summer than an aperol spritz and this strawberry twist of an Italian classic is just that! It is fruity, refreshing, perfectly bitter, and bubbly.
On a hot summer day, what is a more refreshing cocktail than an Aperol spritz? It is the ultimate summer drink. Well, this strawberry Aperol spritz is the perfect summer cocktail. It is a strawberry twist on the classic Aperol spritz. It still has prosecco, Aperol, and sparkling water but also includes a juicy strawberry simple syrup from fresh strawberries. Even with the homemade simple syrup, it is such an easy recipe!
I have a lot of Aperol recipes on the blog and of all my Aperol spritzes, this may just be my favorite. Other than being a sucker for summer berry season, it is just such a fun twist to the classic bubbly apéritif cocktail. Whether you make it for a warm summer afternoon, while grilling dinner, or for a girl's day by the pool, this is sure to be one of your new favorite summer cocktails too!
If you love this Aperol cocktail, you must try my Aperol soda, orange Aperol spritz, and Aperol sour!
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ingredients 🧾
Strawberry Aperol Spritz:
Aperol: You will need 2 ounces of Aperol for this Aperol spritz cocktail. Aperol is a low abv Italian aperitif that has a bitter flavor, notes of zesty orange, 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 liqueur section next to the Campari.
Prosecco: Prosecco is the base of this strawberry spritz. 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 fresh strawberry simple syrup. However, if you prefer a sweeter drink, you can use a sweet sparkling wine like dry or demi-sec prosecco. You will need 3 ounces of prosecco.
Strawberry Simple Syrup: The key ingredient to this strawberry Aperol spritz is the fresh strawberry simple syrup! It gives the cocktail a delicious strawberry flavor and beautiful color. See below for the ingredients of homemade strawberry simple syrup. If you prefer to just buy simple syrup instead of making it homemade, you can purchase the Monin strawberry syrup. You will need 1 ounce of simple syrup.
Club soda: Just a splash of club soda, balances out this strawberry 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 Maison Perrier strawberry flavor or La Croix Lemoncello flavor.
Strawberries: Fresh strawberry slices are added for the finishing touch.
Orange: An orange slice is added to garnish the aperol spritz.
Fresh Strawberry Simple Syrup:
Strawberries: For the strawberry flavor in this simple syrup, you will need 2 cups of fresh strawberries. Be sure to remove the stems and largely slice them. You can also use frozen strawberries, just lessen the water added to be just a splash of water.
Lemon: Adding a touch of acidity to the syrup creates a well-balanced sweetness. You will need ¼ cup of fresh lemon juice. You can also use lime juice or orange juice.
Water: ¼ cup of water is in this simple syrup recipe.
Sugar: 1 cup of white granulated sugar is the sweetness of the simple syrup.
Find the full ingredient measurements and instructions in the recipe card below!
variations & substitutions 📖
Have the syrup include mashed strawberries. Personally, this is the way I like this strawberry Aperol spritz! After making the simple syrup, just mash the strawberries into the syrup rather than straining out. This adds syrupy strawberry puree to the drink, almost like jam. You get little bits of sweet strawberry with every sip and it's so delicious!
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.
Make this a frozen strawberry Aperol spritz. This recipe can easily be adapted to be a frozen blended strawberry Aperol spritz. Simply blend 1 cup of strawberries and ¼ cup of ice with the Aperol, prosecco, and strawberry simple syrup. Also, check out my Aperol slushie recipe for the ultimate frozen Aperol spritz!
tips & tricks 👩🏻🍳
Drink this Aperol spritz out of a fun cocktail glass. This Aperol drink deserves to be in a beautiful cocktail glass. Try these luxurious extra-large wine glasses or fun pink stemless wine glasses.
Use fresh strawberries for the simple syrup. Although the homemade strawberry simple syrup can be adapted for frozen strawberries, fresh strawberries give the syrup more of a true strawberry flavor. Especially when it is berry season in the summer!
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 fresh strawberry simple syrup. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the sliced strawberries, water, lemon 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. If you want a chunky syrup with a pulp of strawberries, simply mash the strawberries into the syrup. If you want a smooth syrup then strain out the strawberries 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 ounces of Aperol and ½ ounce of strawberry simple syrup. Using a bar spoon give it a gentle stir to combine.
Step #4 - Top off and garnish the cocktail. Pour ice cubes into the drink. Add the prosecco (3 ounces) and a splash of club soda. Top with fresh strawberry slices. Cheers!
serving suggestions 🍽️
Serve this strawberry Aperol spritz in a large wine glass with a fresh orange slice and cut strawberry on top! You can add fresh herbs like mint or thyme as garnish as well.
To complete your aperitivo hour, pair this Aperol cocktail alongside a charcuterie board or light appetizers like fried goat cheese balls, air fryer brie bites, and rosemary focaccia bread.
storage 🫙
Store the homemade strawberry simple syrup in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in a jar or airtight container.
faq’s ❓
It totally does! I know when you first think of Aperol, you think of citrus flavors and bitter notes. However paired with the juicy sweetness of a ripe strawberry, a perfectly balanced cocktail is created!
No, you don't have to use prosecco for an Aperol spritz. You can use your favorite dry sparkling wine or champagne.
Sometimes stirring an Aperol spritz can flatten the bubbles in the club soda and prosecco. I like adding the Aperol and any syrups first to the bottom of the glass and then pouring the prosecco and club soda on top. You can also do it in the opposite order by adding the prosecco to the glass first and then pouring the Aperol and any syrups on top. Avoiding shaking or stirring the cocktail will ensure it is super bubbly and delicious.
other cocktail recipes
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recipe 📋
Strawberry Aperol Spritz
This strawberry aperol spritz is a fruity twist on a traditional aperol spritz with bubbly prosecco, fresh strawberries, bitter aperol, and a homemade strawberry simple syrup.
Ingredients
Strawberry Aperol Spritz
- 2 ounces aperol
- 3 ounces prosecco
- 1 ounce strawberry simple syrup
- 1 ounce club soda
- Strawberries (sliced, for garnish)
- Orange (sliced, for garnish)
Strawberry Simple Syrup
- 2 cups strawberries (sliced, stems removed)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
Instructions
1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the sliced strawberries, water, lemon 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. If you want a chunky syrup with a pulp of strawberries, simply mash the strawberries into the syrup. If you want a smooth syrup then strain out the strawberries and pour the syrup into a mason jar.
3. In a large wine glass or a cocktail shaker, add the 2 ounces of Aperol and 1 ounce of strawberry simple syrup. Using a bar spoon give it a gentle stir to combine.
4. Pour ice cubes into the drink. Add the 3 ounces of prosecco and 1 ounce of club soda. Top with fresh strawberry slices. Cheers!
Notes
Storage Instructions:
Store the homemade strawberry 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: 150Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 1gSugar: 34gProtein: 0g
All nutrition facts are estimations. Please see a physician for any health-related inquiries.
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