There's no doubt about it: the Aperol Spritz is the darling of the cocktail world. Made using Aperol, prosecco and a splash of soda water, the spritz is a summer-ready refreshment that has taken the word by storm in recent years thanks to both its taste and aesthetic qualities. As social media has become a part of our lives, so too has the spritz, with countless happy punters enjoying a glass of the bright orange concoction in the sunshine. The Aperol brand benefited from a big marketing push through the 2000s, sponsoring parties and sporting events around the world and positioning itself as a simple, go-to cocktail once the warmer weather hits.

Aperol’s bitter qualities make it ideal for mixing into drinks and punches, but this liqueur is most popular mixed with prosecco over a few ice cubes in a large wine glass and garnished with an orange slice for a classic Aperol spritz. The prosecco’s sweetness and lively fizz helps temper Aperol’s sharpness for better palatability among those less-accustomed to bitter flavors. I usually grab a bottle between $10 and $15, since it will be mixed. Adding a splash of soda water before serving is traditional for this lower-alcohol cocktail, but optional. If you’re looking for a stronger sip with a more vibrant orange color, simply omit.

Ingredients
1bottle of chilled Prosecco
1bottle of Aperol
Soda, served from a syphon or chilled bottle
Ice cubes
Slices of orange
Directions

Method

    Fill a wine glass with ice.
    Add all ingredients to wine glass.
    Stir with long spoon and garnish with orange wedge.

How to garnish an Aperol spritz 
If you order an Aperol spritz in Italy, chances are it will come with an olive on a stick, as well as a slice of orange, as a garnish. The olive, apparently, acts as an introduction to cicchetti, small plates of nibbles usually served in Venice with an aperitif. 

If you don’t fancy adding an olive to the drink itself, serve olives as a snack alongside as it enhances the flavour of an Aperol spritz. 

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