Have you ever discovered a dish or cocktail that just becomes your new ‘forever’ favorite? Something so delicious that it sort of resonates to both your stomach, and the very core of your being!? That’s the case for me with this recipe for a Fresh Pink Grapefruit Aperol Spritz!
Don’t get me wrong, I have a lot of favorite foods, and plenty of homemade cocktail recipes; if it’s delicious, I’m on board! My Ricotta Gnocchi with Lemon & Peas, Kung-Pao Chicken, and Thai Basil Lime Ice Cream are all recipes that I keep coming back to. All of them feature those big, layered flavors that I really love!
Aperol is one of those very distinctive flavors that I am in love with! This is an Italian-made aperitif, a spirit served before a meal, versus port or brandy, which would be served afterwards as digestifs. Aperol is often used as a secondary ingredient in most cocktails. This orange colored liqueur is particularly amazing when mixed with champagne, or the Italian sparkling wine, Prosecco! This is the Best Fresh Grapefruit Aperol Spritz if you enjoy bubbly cocktails!
What Flavor is Aperol?
By itself, Aperol has a distinct orange flavor. It’s a little bitter, with a hint of rhubarb, burnt orange, and an almost fresh green herb-like quality. Slightly sweeter than its cousin, Campari, Aperol is also lower in alcohol. You can drink it on it’s own with a little fresh orange twist, but this liqueur positively dances when it’s combined with sweet pink grapefruit juice and a sparkling wine! An Aperol Spritz is probably the easiest champagne cocktail recipe out there. Sweet, but not too sweet, and carrying a citrusy zing, this drink is refreshing and whets the appetite! It’s the perfect start to a meal any time of the year!
When is the Perfect Time for an Aperol Spritz?
Aperol spritzes are an anytime sort of drink! Serve as an aperitif before a dinner party or as a refreshing summer patio cocktail idea, there is truly never a bad time to serve a spritz! I drink them all year round, as pink grapefruit is such a reliably easy ingredient to find in your local grocery store. Though some may use grapefruit soda to flavor their Aperol spritzes, fresh is really best. Grab that juicer and enjoy the bright sweet flavors of fresh pink grapefruit juice!
What are the Ratios for an Aperol Spritz Recipe?
Traditionally, bartenders will use a 3:2:1 ratio of Prosecco (or champagne) to Aperol and club soda. I prefer to use a 4:3:2:1 ratio and with only 5 ingredients, including pink grapefruit juice & a hint of simple syrup, this is an elegant cocktail recipe to make at your next ‘Social Distance gathering’.
New to drink making? Don’t panic: This is an easy cocktail recipe for you! A shaker isn’t required for this bubbly cocktail, just pour and serve. You can get ‘extra fancy’ with floral and citrus garnishes. My Pink Grapefruit Aperol Spritz will make you the toast of the party!
Pink Grapefruit Aperol Spritz Recipe
makes 1 generous drink
4 ounces Prosecco or Champagne
3 ounces Aperol
2 ounces fresh squeezed pink grapefruit juice
1 ounce soda water
1/2 teaspoon simple syrup
ice
grapefruit slices for garnish
Fill a large wine glass with ice.
Layer in the champagne, Aperol, and grapefruit juice.
Add the simple syrup and soda. Mix gently.
Garnish with grapefruit slices, edible flowers, or citrus twists.
The Best Fresh Grapefruit Aperol Spritz
Ingredients
- 4 ounces Prosecco or Champagne
- 3 ounces Aperol
- 2 ounces fresh squeezed pink grapefruit juice
- 1 ounce soda water
- 1/2 teaspoon simple syrup
- ice
- grapefruit slices for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a large wine glass with ice.
- Layer in the champagne, Aperol, and grapefruit juice.
- Add the simple syrup and soda. Mix gently.
- Garnish with grapefruit slices, edible flowers, or citrus twists.
I’m such a fan of the traditional aperol spritz but the grapefruit in here is so lovely! I love the garnish you used.
Thank you! Spritzes are a favorite of mine as well, and they are just the perfect cocktail for the home cook!
I love a good, refreshing aperol spritz, and the grapefruit is such an awesome touch! The colours are so vibrant that I forgot it’s snowing outside, haha!
I do too! I think I was drinking them all summer…. and all fall… and now, all winter! Cheers!
I love how simple this recipe is. Definitely giving this a go soon. Thank you so much for this recipe, bookmarked to make later this week 🙂
Amazing! I hope you enjoyed this Aperol Spritz! It’s a must ave in our house!
What a beautiful cocktail! We’ve always loved our Campari cocktails but have been exploring Aperol a lot more because it’s just a little less bitter. Your spritz is a perfect balance and I love that you used grapefruit!
Thank you so much! Aperol is such a fun liqueur to work with, and plays super well with the grapefruit. I’m addicted!
I have only ever had normal apero spritz adding grapefruit juice sounds amazing. Will try this soon.
fantastic! I love to hear that! Please let me know how it goes and thank you for visiting!
What a beautiful looking drink. I cannot wait to try this. Sounds like it will be epic!
Thank you! That is so great hear! It’s one of my favorite bubbly cocktails and I hope you love it as much as I do!
This sounds like a delicious and easy cocktail! I will have to try this out soon.
I so hope you do! Thank you for commenting!
Aperol was new to me – thank you for this recipe! I think this will be the perfect cocktail to ring in the New Year.
Thank you! It’s a great one for sure!
What a lovely and refreshing drink!
Thank you! It’s truly refreshing and so easy to make!
The moment I saw this recipe my mouth was watering. And its 4pm in the afternoon so I may or may not be day drinking. What a delicious drink.
Amazing! Thank you so much!
a drink that can help to impress my friends. Perfect to share too?
It’s totally one of our favorites here! Cheers!
This sounds deliciously refreshing! I loved hearing about the traditional use of a aperol as I honestly didn’t know what it was. Sounds like a great drink for the new year!
I’m so glad I could share some more info on Aperol with you! Cheers to the New Year!
I am a grapefruit fan so this drink sounds refreshing to me. It looks so pretty.
You would love this drink then! Grapefruit is one of my favorite flavors to work with. If you like that zippy flavor, you would love my Grapefruit Basil Smash!
https://straighttothehipsbaby.com/making-easy-cocktails-at-home/
OMG every time I visit relatives in Italy I have Aperol for breakfast, brunch, lunch, snack, dinner and late-night snack!:)) They drink it more often than espresso! But I can’t complain:)))))))))))))) I like it garnished with a slice of citrus, too.
That sounds like the life! I love Aperol spritzes and order them whenever I can! Cheers!