Aperol-style spritz
Three parts prosecco, two parts bitter orange aperitivo, one part soda. Orange slice. Large wine glass. That is the drink.
The 3-2-1 ratio
In measures, 3-2-1 is 90 ml prosecco, 60 ml bitter orange aperitivo, and 30 ml soda. Build it on ice. Stir once. The color should be a clear sunset orange. Pale means too little bitter. Heavy and sweet means the soda was skipped or the wine was warm.
A lighter glass, for a long afternoon, uses more prosecco and less bitter: 120 ml, 40 ml, and 30 ml. It will look paler. That is a choice, not a failed classic.
What “Aperol-style” means here
Easy Spritz uses the style, not a brand, as the recipe name. You want a bitter orange aperitivo in the light, lower-alcohol family: orange, a little rhubarb and herb bitterness, and enough sweetness that soda has a job to do. A red bitter is a different spritz.
Bars often pour a specific bottling of that bitter. Any bottling in the same style works in this ratio. If the one you have tastes hotter and drier, treat it as a Campari-style spritz and use less.
Glass, ice, and orange
Use a large wine glass and plenty of ice. A short tumbler makes the drink feel like a shot of aperitivo. The ice is not optional decoration.
Garnish with a fresh orange slice. Lemon belongs on a Hugo or a limoncello spritz. A green olive is the Venetian move, on the Venetian spritz page.
Next to Hugo and Campari-style
Hugo is elderflower and mint. This glass is bitter orange. A Campari-style spritz uses a red bitter at a smaller pour, about 45 ml, because it is sterner. If you cannot decide, the ruby spritz splits the two bitters.
Recipes
Aperol-style spritz
The iconic balance.
Light bitter orange spritz
More prosecco, less bitter.
White wine aperitivo
Still wine, bitter orange.
Sunset spritz
Orange bitter, pink citrus.
Blood orange spritz
Blood orange and prosecco.
Aperitivo pitcher
A jug of bitter orange spritz.
Virgin bitter orange spritz
Bitter orange, no alcohol.
Ruby spritz
Two bitters, one glass.
Questions people ask
What is the Aperol-style spritz ratio?
3-2-1: 90 ml prosecco, 60 ml bitter orange aperitivo, 30 ml soda, over ice, with an orange slice.
What wine goes in an Aperol-style spritz?
Prosecco brut is the usual bottle. Extra Dry is slightly softer. A dry still white also works, with a slightly smaller bitter pour.
Is an Aperol-style spritz very bitter?
It is bittersweet, not as dry as a red-bitter spritz. Soda and prosecco are what keep the aperitivo from tasting thick.