How to make a Aperol Spritz for the Holidays
/It’s time to learn how to make a Aperol Spritz! An Aperol Spritz is our drink of choice any time of year, but especially when getting in the holiday spirit. The color is cheery and the Prosecco creates a perfect bubbly moment. An added bonus is that it’s a very simple drink to make and it pairs with, well everything! (Don’t worry we’ll share our favorite snacks!)
In Italy, a spritz is the most common drink enjoyed at aperitivo which translates to “opening of the stomach” in preparation for the main event - dinner. It is a perfect drink, not too sweet and not too bitter, and paired with a salty snack like Taralli or chips it’s our favorite way to wind down the day.
How to make a Aperol Spritz the easy way! Remember the 3-2-1 rule: 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, 1 part sparkling water. Pour over ice and top it all off with an orange wedge.
For future reference, this same recipe combination can be used to create our other favorite spritzes. Just swap out two ounces of Aperol for Limoncello when craving something a little more sweet or two ounces of Campari when craving something a little more bitter.
We recommend any Prosecco that has the DOC label that will guarantee that it was made in Italy to their local standards. You can learn more about Prosecco and how to ensure you’re getting the right kind in our blog post about picking the best bubbles. You can also learn about what DOC is and why it is important to Prosecco in the article, Consorzio Tutela Prosecco DOC.
For the sparkling water, we recommend using San Pellegrino, of course. There is something about that iconic green bottle sitting on our table! If you are missing an orange wedge, add some extra flavor to your Aperol spritz by adding lemon or orange-flavored sparkling water. Our favorite is Spindrift.
Italians never drink alcohol without food and an aperitivo is no different. Typically this is served with a salty snack because Italians believe the sour of the drink and salty of the snack will prepare your palate for dinner. Sweet is never served with an aperitivo. Since wine is reserved for food pairings, cocktails are the drink of choice for an aperitivo.
Our favorite snack to pair with an Aperol Spritz is the irresistible taralli. Originated in Puglia, but now they can be found across bars throughout Italy. Dalla Fonte has offered several different versions including a wine knot from Matera. These wine knots are unbelievably addicting and you can snag a bag from the Dalla Fonte shop. If you’re feeling more ambitious, this is a recipe we recommend, if you’d like to try your hand at making your own. Taralli - Irresistible Italian Crackers | ITALY Magazine
If you want to explore options beyond taralli, we also love pairing our spritz with olives or bruschetta piled with fresh or jarred vegetables or olive oil. Check out the Dalla Fonte shop for more delicious aperitivo snacks.
Once you’ve tasted aperitivo and spritz in your home, come with us to Italy and participate in this pre-meal tradition on a 9-day culinary trip! Travel from the Amalfi Coast to Florence and Emilia-Romagna, eating seasonal and regional cuisines every step of the way. We’re hosting three trips to Italy next year filled with culinary adventures from private limoncello tasting to a hands-on cooking class with a master pizzaiolo. Check out our Food Tours in Italy!
Collaboration with Olivia Becker, Owner of Dalla Fonte and The Table Less Traveled
Travel with us around the world on one of our multi-day small group food tours. Check out our itineraries to Italy, Japan, Peru, and more! Join us as we visit tea farms in Japan, sip on limoncello in Italy, and savor ceviche in Peru.
If you’re traveling abroad and don’t know where to start or want to tap into our travel expertise to make the most of your trip, check out our Travel Coaching and Private Trips with booking service.
No matter where you travel, we always recommend purchasing travel protection to safeguard against sudden changes or cancellations. If you don’t already have a preferred vendor, you can check out ours - Travel Insured - which offers a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy.
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