Blood Orange Aperol Spritz

Tis the season for low-ABV cocktails. Even in the colder months, I like to enjoy a good drink with dinner. After the holidays, low-ABV drinks like an Aperol Spritz don’t weigh me down too much. This Blood Orange Aperol Spritz is my favorite seasonal twist on this popular pre-dinner beverage.

And yes, I know I’m a few years late to the Aperol Spritz craze. I’ve been drinking them for a while. Just never felt inspired to blog about them until now.

First of all, what is an Aperol Spritz? What is Aperol?

Aperol is an aperitif that originated in Italy in the early 20th century. It was popular among young adults in Italy for many years before going international and gaining popularity in the U.S. Aperitifs are usually consumed before a meal, kind of like an “appetizer,” to prepare your palate for the main meal. You can read more about them here.

Aperol is my aperitif of choice. It’s dry and citrusy and herbal in flavor and lends very well to spritzy beverages. It’s not as bitter as Campari so it won’t overpower any other ingredients in your drink. I’ve never drank it straight or over ice, but I imagine it would be pleasant that way.

A classic Aperol Spritz is made with Aperol, prosecco, and soda water, with an orange wedge garnish. It’s super simple, super crushable, and honestly pretty refreshing on a warm day. If you ask me, they’re the perfect patio drink. They’re even becoming my go-to brunch drink over mimosas.

Most of the time when I make regular Aperol Spritzes, I add a little squeeze of orange juice at the end with the wedge garnish. I just really like orange flavors in cocktails, and that brings out the citrus notes in the Aperol. With blood oranges in season from January through April, those are my flavor boost of choice. They complement the Aperol even better and even add a slight floral note on the back end of the drink. It sounds like a really simple addition, but trust me, it really makes a difference in the drink.

How to Make a Blood Orange Aperol Spritz

To make it, you will need:

• 1 blood orange (1 oz juice, 1 slice for garnish)
• 2 oz Aperol
• 2-3 oz Prosecco
• 3-4 oz seltzer water/club soda
• Ice
• Large wine glass

This is a cocktail you just build straight in the glass, no shaker necessary! Pour the Aperol and blood orange juice in the glass. Add lots of ice cubes, almost filling the glass to the top. Pour in your desired amount of Prosecco, and then top with club soda. Garnish with a blood orange slice.

Did you enjoy this recipe? You might also like:

• Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail
• Blood Orange Sangria
• Blood Orange Margaritas
• Gin Bramble Cocktail

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