The Best Aperol Spritz Recipe: Secrets from My Tuscan Wedding

In San Francisco, we don’t really get traditional 80-degree summer days. We live for those rare, surprise heat waves when the fog burns off and the city finally warms up. When that happens, I love to make an easy Aperol Spritz.

I became a permanent devotee of this bittersweet glow during our wedding in Italy. We got married just outside of Florence, and we had a dedicated classic Aperol Spritz bar at our welcome party in Tuscany.

If you’re looking for the best way to make an Aperol Spritz that actually tastes like the ones in Italy, it all comes down to the proportions.

The Perfect 3-2-1 Aperol Spritz Proportions

Most people wing it, but the perfect Aperol Spritz requires the “3-2-1” rule. This specific Aperol Spritz ratio ensures the drink isn’t too syrupy or too watered down.

Here are the exact Aperol Spritz measurements for one glass:

• 3 Parts Prosecco: 90ml | 3oz | approx. 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp
• 2 Parts Aperol: 60ml | 2oz | 1/4 cup
• 1 Part Soda Water: 30ml | 1oz | 2 tbsp

Pro-Tip: If you don’t have a jigger or measuring cups handy, just look at the glass! The 3-2-1 rule is easy to eyeball: fill 3/4 of the glass with Prosecco, top it with enough Aperol to turn it a deep sunset orange, and add a quick splash of soda at the very end. The color is usually your best guide.

Step-by-Step Aperol Spritz Instructions

1. Ice First: Fill a large wine glass generously with ice.
2. Add the Prosecco: Pour the Prosecco over the ice first. Adding the bubbles first helps the Aperol mix naturally without stirring, which preserves the fizz.
3. Add the Aperol: Pour in the Aperol in a circular motion.
4. Finish with Soda: Add a splash of chilled soda water.
5. The Garnish: Slide in a fresh orange slice.

Choosing a Good Prosecco for Aperol Spritz

Since Aperol is sweet, you need a dry wine to balance the ingredients to make an Aperol Spritz. Look for “Brut” or “Extra Dry” on the label. Here are three widely available favorites at different price points:

• The Budget Pick ($12-$15): La Marca Prosecco. Crisp, clean, and easy to find at any grocery store.
• The Mid-Range ($18-$22): Mionetto Prestige Brut. A classic Italian choice with slightly tighter bubbles.
• The Elevated Pick ($25+): Nino Franco Rustico. This is a “Prosecco Superiore.” It’s incredibly dry and sophisticated, perfect if you’re hosting a formal dinner.

The Best Aperol Spritz Glass Set

Have you ever been at a restaurant, ordered a cocktail you were so excited for, and then felt immediate disappointment when it arrived in the wrong glass?

Maybe it was a super thick-stemmed, cheap-feeling wine glass, or a drink you expected to be served in a dainty, elegant coupe arrived in a clunky highball. I recently ordered a tequila cocktail expecting a refined, martini-style vibe, and it came out in a giant, tall glass that totally killed the mood.

The glass is 50% of the cocktail’s soul. While a standard wine glass works in a pinch, according to official Aperol standards, the perfect spritz should always be served in a large, stemmed wine glass with a wide bowl. The stem keeps your hand from melting the ice, and you need that wide bowl to fit the orange slice and the ice without it splashing over the side.

My Aperol Spritz Glassware Recommendations:

• The Official Splurge: If you want the exact glass designed for the brand, you can find the Official Signature Aperol Glass on Amazon Prime, they come at a hefty price though (currently around $41 for a single glass).
• For something with a bit more personality and a better value, there are the Luigi Bormioli Mixology Goblets. These are massive, beautiful glasses with a texturized, “carved” look at the bottom of the bowl. It’s a set of four for about $60 on Amazon.
• The “Use What You Have” Hack: If you aren’t looking to buy new glasses, Aperol specifies that a large Burgundy red wine glass is the perfect substitute. The wide bowl allows the flavors to settle exactly like the branded version. This is the Amazon set ($24 for 4 glasses) I purchased a few years ago and love it for a Spritz or glass of red wine.

I hope this foolproof recipe and my glassware guide help you create that perfect, Italian-inspired happy hour right at home. It’s a drink that just immediately makes everything feel a little lighter and more sophisticated.

If you’re looking for another crowd-pleaser for your next hosting night, don’t miss my Classic Margarita Recipe, it’s my other go-to signature cocktail that never fails.

Classic Italian Aperol Spritz (3-2-1 Recipe)

Ashley Miller Daniels

Learn how to make an easy Aperol Spritz with the official 3-2-1 proportions. Includes measurements in ml, oz, and cups for the perfect balanced cocktail.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 3 minutes mins

Course cocktail, Drinks

Cuisine Italian

Servings 1 drink

Calories 158 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 3 3oz parts Prosecco 90ml | approx. 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp
• 2 2oz parts Aperol 60ml | 1/4 cup
• 1 1oz part Soda Water 30ml | 2 tbsp

Instructions

 

• Fill with Ice: Generously fill a large, stemmed wine glass (or Burgundy-style glass) with ice.
• Add Prosecco First: Pour the chilled Prosecco over the ice. This helps the drink mix naturally.
• Add Aperol: Pour the chilled Aperol in a circular motion to allow it to blend with the Prosecco.
• Finish with Soda: Top with a splash of chilled soda water.
• Garnish and Serve: Slide a fresh orange slice into the glass and enjoy immediately.

Notes

If you’re measuring by eye, the color is your best guide. You’re looking for a vibrant, sunset orange. If it looks too pale, add a splash more Aperol; if it’s deep red, you might need a bit more bubbles.

Remember the golden rule for Aperol Spritz proportions: it is 3 parts bubbles, 2 parts bitter, 1 part soda. That specific balance is what creates the authentic Italian aperitivo experience.

Aperol is already sweet, so you must use a “Brut” or “Extra Dry” Prosecco to balance the flavor. Avoid “Dry” or “Demi-Sec,” which are confusingly sweet and will make your cocktail too cloying. For best results, I recommend brands like Nino Franco or La Marca.

Always add the Prosecco before the Aperol. If you pour the dense Aperol first, it sinks to the bottom, requiring heavy stirring to mix. Pouring the bubbles first allows the Aperol to blend naturally as it filters down, preserving the critical carbonation.

For the perfect Aperol Spritz, ensure ALL your ingredients—including the Aperol and the soda water—are pre-chilled in the refrigerator. Using cold ingredients prevents the ice from melting too quickly, keeping your drink crisp and carbonated without dilution.

Keyword 3 2 1 ratio, aperitivo, aperol spritz, easy cocktail, italian spritz, summer drink