Venice in summer, 6 PM, the canals reflecting orange sunset light. The bar lays out plates of cicchetti – small toasts with sardines, prosciutto and figs, smoked ricotta crostini. The aperol spritz arrives in a balloon glass, ice cubes the size of golf balls, an orange slice floating in the bright orange liquid. This is aperitivo hour, and the Aperol Spritz is its defining cocktail.
This is the canonical 3-2-1 preparation – 3 parts chilled Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, 1 part soda water, served over large ice with an orange slice. The recipe is brand-official (Aperol uses it in all marketing) and bartender-standard worldwide. The whole cocktail takes 2 minutes to make, and the right ingredients matter more than technique.
Quick Read — At a Glance
| Yield | 1 cocktail |
| Total time | 2 min |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Texture | Lightly fizzy, bittersweet, cold |
| Critical | Prosecco must be well chilled before pouring – lukewarm spritz is sad |
The 3-2-1 Ratio
The ratio is brand-official from Aperol/Campari Group and is the bartender standard worldwide. 3 parts (90 ml) chilled Prosecco poured first to create the base. 2 parts (60 ml) Aperol poured slowly to color it bright orange. 1 part (30 ml) soda water to lighten without diluting the flavor.
Deviation from 3-2-1: more Aperol becomes too sweet and bitter; less Aperol becomes a weak Prosecco-soda; more soda dilutes too much. The 3-2-1 produces the balanced summer cocktail Italians have been drinking for 100 years.
Ingredients
- 90 ml (3 oz) Prosecco DOC, well chilled
- 60 ml (2 oz) Aperol
- 30 ml (1 oz) soda water
- 1 orange slice
- Large ice cubes (3-4)
Making It
- Glass + ice. Large balloon wine glass with 3-4 large ice cubes.
- Prosecco first. Pour 90 ml (3 oz) to fill base.
- Aperol slow. 60 ml (2 oz). The slow pour preserves the layered look briefly.
- Soda top. 30 ml (1 oz). Just a splash.
- Stir once gently. Don’t over-mix or the fizz dies.
- Garnish + serve. Orange slice on the rim. Serve immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Aperol?
Italian bitter aperitivo (1919, Padua). Gentian + rhubarb + cinchona + bitter orange. 11% ABV. Bright orange color. Owned by Campari Group.
Aperol vs Campari?
Aperol = gentler, sweeter, brighter (11% ABV). Campari = bolder, more bitter (24% ABV). Aperol Spritz is canonical; Campari is for Negroni.
What Prosecco?
DOC Italian Prosecco. $10-15 perfect for cocktail. Brands: La Marca, Mionetto, Bisol. Avoid American sparkling wine or Champagne.
Glass and ice?
Large balloon wine glass. Large ice cubes (3-4, golf-ball-ish size). Avoid crushed ice or small cubes – over-dilute the cocktail.
Sources
- Aperol — Official Spritz — Brand-official 3-2-1 recipe.
- Liquor.com — Aperol Spritz — Bartender standard.
- USDA FoodData Central — Nutritional data.
Each cocktail contains roughly 175 calories, ~12 g alcohol.
Please note: Contains alcohol. Not suitable during pregnancy or sobriety. Drink responsibly. Always designated driver.
Elena Vasquez
Elena learned to bake from her abuela on a family farm in the south of Spain - wood-fired ovens, breakfast bread before sunrise, and a tia who taught her pastry between long lunches with cousins. At CookingZone she develops desserts, pastry, breakfast, healthy recipes, and beverages - from protein-rich morning bowls to classic French patisserie and viral bakery hits. She still tests every dessert on the same crew of family and friends before it makes it onto the site.
