The Aperol Spritz – An Italian Cocktail

As you may know, we went to Italy on our honeymoon this September. That is where I discovered one of my favorite cocktails – the Aperol Spritz. It is a little tangy, bubbly, and extremely refreshing. Aperol is a bright orange Italian aperetif. It is made with orange, rhubarb, gentiana (a blue flowering plant) and other herbs that Aperol claims are secrets.

My spritz revelation occurred in Lake Como, a simply magical and jaw-dropping destination.  We arrived in the early evening, around 4 or 5pm. Everyone was sitting outside drinking these orange cocktails in wine glasses. I consider myself a cocktail connoisseur (hence the name of this blog), and it busted my ego to think I had not seen this classy glass of orangey-goodness before.

We sat down to dinner in the town of Varenna (One of George Clooney’s favorite towns, btw) and I asked the waitress what was that orange drink everyone was having? She smiled and replied “that is an Aperol Spritz!” and I smiled back – “I’ll have one of those, please.”

From then on, it was my chosen aperetivo after long days of walking and touring. And as soon as I came back to the states, I started making them at home.

The traditional recipe an easy 3-2-1 ratio. The spritz is 3 parts prosecco (or sparking wine or champagne) 2 parts Aperol, and 1 splash of sparkling water. It is THAT easy. I’ll show you exactly how I make mine.

The Aperol Spritz – Glass of Glam Style

What you need:

1. Sparkling wine, Champagne, or Prosecco
2. Aperol
3. sparkling water
4. Ice
5. A wine glass
6. An orange

(Scroll over pictures for the steps)

1. Add ice to your desired glass. I like a wine glass because it is glam.

2. Carefully open your bottle of champagne or sparkling wine. I like Trader Joe’s Blanc de Blanc Brut because it tastes expensive.

3. Add 3 parts sparkling wine. I just pour and count to three.

4. Add 2 parts Aperol. Again, I pour and count to two. Aperol is not very strong (only 11% alcohol) so don’t worry if you pour too much.

5. Add a splash of sparkling water. I like to use La Croix coconut flavored water. It makes it a little more tropical.

6. I like to add some orange for garnish, or actually in the drink.

Striped Tee (on sale for $10); Old Madewell Corduroys; H&M Druzy Pendant similar; Milani Lipstick in Sweet Nectar

And there you have it! Super easy. Drink with a straw if you are a diva like me and don’t want to mess up your lipstick.

If you don’t have champagne or sparkling wine, use white wine and a little more of the sparkling water, so it is still a “spritz.” That works too.

Cheers to the least intimidating, but most delicious cocktail!

–Roxanne

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