If you love sunny sips with a pretty pop of color and just the right balance of bittersweet, this Rosé Aperol Spritz is about to become your signature cocktail! Think Italian summer meets picnic-in-the-garden: it’s refreshing, gorgeously pink, and every bit as sparkly as your favorite glass of bubbly.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Vibrant, Summery Flavors: Each sip showcases juicy peach, bright citrus, and subtle herbal notes that feel like sunshine in a glass.
- Effortlessly Elegant: The Rosé Aperol Spritz looks stunning with very little effort—perfect for easy entertaining or a solo treat.
- Customizable and Crowd-Friendly: It’s easy to make one or a whole pitcher, and you can riff on flavors to suit your vibe or the season.
- So Simple to Make: With just a handful of ingredients and no fancy equipment, it comes together in about five minutes flat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s take a look at the magic behind this Rosé Aperol Spritz: each ingredient plays a starring role, from the bittersweet Aperol to the sparkling rosé that gives the drink its pretty blush. Every component contributes to that signature crisp, fizzy, refreshing finish!
- Crushed ice: Ensures your spritz stays refreshingly cool without watering it down too fast. Crushed ice also feels extra festive!
- Frozen peaches (optional): These act as flavorful “ice cubes,” keeping your drink chilled and lending a subtle, fresh peach essence as they thaw.
- Aperol: The irresistible heart of the cocktail—a bittersweet, herbal Italian aperitif with just a hint of orange and rhubarb.
- Sparkling dry rosé: Adds gorgeous color, crisp bubbles, and delicate berry notes. Opt for a dry style to keep it balanced.
- Club soda (plain or citrus): Offers an extra hit of fizz; a citrus-flavored club soda brings a zesty, bright twist!
- Fresh peach slices: For garnish—these float beautifully in the glass, giving your spritz a summery look and a touch of sweet aroma.
Variations
One of the best parts about the Rosé Aperol Spritz is how easy it is to play around with flavors! Don’t be shy about making it your own—whether you want to suit what’s on hand, your favorite fruits, or even change up the bubbles.
- Use Prosecco or Cava: No rosé? Swap in dry Prosecco or a crisp Cava for a classic golden-orange spritz with a twist.
- Add fresh herbs: Muddle a few basil or mint leaves in the glass for an extra aromatic, garden-fresh dimension.
- Level up the fruit: Try frozen berries, sliced strawberries, or even orange wheels to switch up the garnish and subtle flavors.
- Make it less boozy: Reduce the Aperol and increase the club soda for a lighter, low-alcohol option that’s just as refreshing.
How to Make Rosé Aperol Spritz
Step 1: Fill Your Glass with Ice (and Frozen Peaches!)
Start by filling a generous wine glass with crushed ice. If you’ve got them on hand, toss in a few frozen peach slices too—these will keep your drink extra chilly, add subtle fruit flavor as they melt, and look absolutely irresistible swirling around!
Step 2: Pour in the Aperol and Rosé
Next, add the Aperol and sparkling dry rosé right over the ice. Their colors will swirl together beautifully, and you can give the mix a gentle stir to blend those bittersweet and floral notes into one harmonious (and gorgeously rosy) spritz.
Step 3: Top with Club Soda and Garnish
Top your drink with a splash of club soda for extra sparkle—citrus varieties are especially lovely if you like an extra zesty kick. Finish with a couple of fresh peach slices, and your Rosé Aperol Spritz is ready to sip!
Pro Tips for Making Rosé Aperol Spritz
- Super Chilled Ingredients: Store your rosé and club soda in the fridge until you’re ready to pour. Cold ingredients make a fizzier, fresher-tasting spritz (plus less dilution from melting ice).
- Peachy Perfection: If you use fresh peaches as “ice cubes,” slice them thin so they don’t block the glass and release their sweet aroma fast.
- Gentle Stir: After pouring in the Aperol and rosé, give the drink just a quick, gentle swirl—too much stirring will flatten the bubbles.
- Glassware Matters: Use a large wine glass or goblet. The wide bowl shows off those beautiful layers and garnishes—and keeps lots of ice from crowding the sip!
How to Serve Rosé Aperol Spritz
Garnishes
For a classic (and truly delightful) finishing touch, float a couple of peach slices right on top. You can also add a sprig of fresh mint or basil for color and aroma—these little extras make your Rosé Aperol Spritz as festive for a group as it is for happy hour solo at home.
Side Dishes
This spritz sings alongside light snacks and summery small plates. Think savory cheese boards, marinated olives, prosciutto-wrapped melon, or a bowl of salty kettle chips for that irresistible sweet-salty contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Pour your Rosé Aperol Spritz into mason jars for a picnic, serve in vintage coupe glasses for cocktail-party charm, or line up a big batch in a glass pitcher for effortless self-service at brunch. Bonus points for skewers of fruit as edible stir sticks!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Sipping right away is best, but if you’ve built a few drinks in advance, store them in a sealed jar or pitcher in the fridge for up to a few hours. Just note that the bubbles will gradually fade, so add a splash of fresh club soda before serving for best fizz.
Freezing
This cocktail isn’t one you’d want to freeze outright (the bubbles and spirits don’t love it!), but you can definitely freeze sliced peaches or even make Aperol-infused ice cubes ahead—those extras store beautifully for weeks and take your Rosé Aperol Spritz to the next level.
Reheating
No need to reheat here! If your prepared spritz has lost its chill, simply add some fresh ice and a pop of club soda to revive both the temperature and sparkle instantly.
FAQs
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Can I make a Rosé Aperol Spritz without sparkling wine?
Absolutely! While sparkling rosé is classic in this version, you can use any dry sparkling wine or even a splash of tonic water or lemon soda for a non-alcoholic twist. The drink will still be beautifully refreshing and flavorful.
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What’s the best rosé for a Rosé Aperol Spritz?
Look for a dry sparkling rosé (preferably brut), which keeps the cocktail crisp and not too sweet. Avoid super-sweet or syrupy rosés so the Aperol’s unique bitter orange notes really shine through.
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How do I batch this cocktail for a group?
Simply multiply the ingredients by the number of guests and combine everything but the club soda in a pitcher right before serving. When ready, pour over ice and top with club soda for fresh sparkle in every glass.
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Can I make a non-alcoholic Rosé Aperol Spritz?
You bet! Use a zero-proof Aperol-style aperitif and swap in sparkling rosé water or a non-alcoholic sparkling wine. Add the rest of the ingredients as described—and you’ll have all the flavor and fun, minus the booze!
Final Thoughts
I truly hope the Rosé Aperol Spritz finds its way into your sunny afternoons, brunch tables, and backyard toasts. It’s just the kind of easy, uplifting drink that never fails to bring smiles—give it a try, and let your next happy hour sparkle!
PrintRosé Aperol Spritz Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink, easily multiplied 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the refreshing and elegant taste of a Rosé Aperol Spritz. This cocktail is perfect for a summer day or any occasion where you want a light and bubbly drink with a hint of peach sweetness.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- crushed ice
- frozen peaches, used as ice cubes (optional)
- 3 ounces Aperol
- 4 ounces sparkling dry rosé
- 1 ounce club soda (plain or citrus flavor)
- fresh peach slices for garnish
Instructions
- Add the ice (and frozen peaches, if using) to a glass. Pour in the Aperol and sparkling rosé.
- Give a quick stir.
- Top with the club soda.
- Drop in a fresh peach slice or two.
- Drink immediately!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink