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Mixologist · 1950s · Padua

Aperol Spritz.

Aperol existed since 1919, but the Spritz with prosecco only became a global phenomenon after a 2003 Aperol marketing push from Padua. Now.

Spirit
Aperol
Glass
Wine glass
ABV
~11%
Prep
2 min
Era
Mixologist
Quick answer

The Aperol Spritz is a mixologist cocktail from Padua, 1950s. Built on aperol, served in a wine glass, around 11% ABV. Aperol existed since 1919, but the Spritz with prosecco only became a global phenomenon after a 2003 Aperol marketing push from Padua. Now Italy's national drink.

Ingredients

What goes in a Aperol Spritz?

Method

How do you make a Aperol Spritz?

  1. Fill a large wine glass with ice.
  2. Pour in the prosecco first.
  3. Add the Aperol.
  4. Top with soda. Stir once.
  5. Garnish with an orange slice.
Pair it with dinner Prosciutto, melon, salty olives. The Italian aperitivo plate.
Bartender's notes

What should you know before making a Aperol Spritz?

History

Where did the Aperol Spritz come from?

Aperol existed since 1919, but the Spritz with prosecco only became a global phenomenon after a 2003 Aperol marketing push from Padua. Now Italy's national drink. The 3-2-1 ratio (3 prosecco, 2 Aperol, 1 soda) is the IBA-codified spec. Drink before sunset, never after.

According to Veneto regional tradition, popularized globally by Aperol from 2003 onward.

Variations

What cocktails are similar to a Aperol Spritz?

Hugo Spritz
Replace Aperol with elderflower liqueur (St-Germain). A Tirol-region variation.
Negroni Sbagliato
Equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth topped with prosecco. The Sbagliato is essentially a richer cousin to the Aperol Spritz.
FAQ

Common questions.

What is the ratio for an Aperol Spritz?

3-2-1: three parts prosecco, two parts Aperol, one part soda water. The IBA (International Bartenders Association) codified this spec in 2011.

What is Aperol?

An Italian aperitivo liqueur, 11% ABV, made from oranges, herbs, and roots. Lighter and sweeter than its sister Campari (24% ABV). Aperol has been produced in Padua, Italy, since 1919.

Why is Aperol Spritz served in a wine glass?

Surface area. The wine glass lets the soda water breathe and the prosecco bubbles bloom. A flute traps the carbonation and a rocks glass concentrates the bitter.

When should you drink an Aperol Spritz?

Before dinner, before sunset. The drink is built as an aperitivo (appetite-opener), not a digestif. Drinking it after a meal is technically wrong, even though no one will stop you.

Kyle Schulgen Founder, Speakeater
Builder of Speakeater, the cooking app for people tired of asking what's for dinner. Hand-transcribes pre-Prohibition cocktail manuscripts as a hobby, ships them in the app's cellar.
Last updated: 2026-05-02

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