An Aperol Spritz is an Italian wine-based aperitif. It’s light and refreshing and usually consumed before a meal to stimulate the appetite. In this version there’s just one added ingredient – fresh grapefruit juice.

he first time I tried an Aperol Spritz, I was laying on a beach in Sorrento, admiring the Tyrrhenian Sea. I had never heard of Aperol but it sounded Italian and I wanted to try the local fare. The server brought my drink along with a bowl of (free!) salty peanuts. That was a good day.

By the time I got home, the Aperol Spritz was on every menu at every rooftop bar. I don’t know if it was the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon or if Aperol was really just becoming trendy at the right moment, but I was totally for it.

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What is Aperol?

An Aperol spritz is another easy 3 ingredient cocktail. It contains Aperol, Prosecco and soda water.

Aperol dates back to 1919 so I definitely didn’t discover anything new. It’s slightly bitter made with rhubarb and other botanicals. You’d probably recognize its bright orange color in the back of a dusty liquor cabinet.

For this version, I decided to use grapefruit juice instead of club soda. The grapefruit pairs so well with the Aperol and actually cuts some of the bitterness, rather than adding to it. Try to use fresh juice, if you can.

The Aperol spritz is typically served in a large wine glass filled with lots of ice. Pair this cocktail with a nice bowl of salty nuts, olives or potato chips and imagine that you’re on an Italian beach.

How To Make A Grapefruit Aperol Spritz

Now, to make this delicious cocktail, all you need is Aperol, grapefruit juice, prosecco, ice, and a slice of grapefruit. Fill a wine glass with ice, add 1.5 oz of Aperol and 1 oz of grapefruit juice, top with 3 oz of prosecco, and add a slice of grapefruit. That’s it! It’s an easy cocktail that you can make at home in no time.