The Spritz Veneziano is a classic Italian cocktail that is both bubbly and refreshing, traditionally enjoyed as an after work drink.
The popular bright orange aperitivo served in a wine glass pairs Prosecco sparkling wine with an Italian bitter red liqueur like Campari or Aperol and is then topped with soda and sliced orange.
On a hot summer day take a sensory trip to the scenic canals of Venice by making this easy Spritz Veneziano recipe!
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What Is A Spritz Veneziano?
The Spritz Veneziano (also known as the Venetian Spritz) is an Italian aperitivo that combines an Italian red bitter liqueur or amaro with Prosecco and sparkling soda.
First invented in the 1800’s in Italy, the “spritz” is an old school concept of watering down wine with water.
The Spritz Veneziano took on its present form in the 1920’s, when it featured the liqueur Select. Today the mixed drink is typically made with Aperol, producing the popular Aperol Spritz or Campari, for a more bitter Campari Spritz: but you can make it with any type of Italian amaro.
While Italians have been sipping the iconic drink at beach resorts for decades, the Aperitivo Spritz gained massive popularity in the early 2000’s when the Camapri Group acquired Aperol and started to market the drink all around the world.
The International Bartender’s Association (IBA) definition of the drink uses Aperol, which is what we’ve used in our recipe. The Spritz Veneziano includes the following ingredients in a 3-2-1 ratio:
- Aperol, Campari, Cynar or other Amaro
- Prosecco Sparkling Wine
- Soda Water
Travel To Italy To Sip An Aperol Spritz Veneziano
There’s no better way to familiarize yourself with an authentic Aperol Spritz Veneziano recipe then by planning a vacation to visit Italy.
Today, Italy’s most popular aperitivo is enjoyed in drinks across the country and throughout Europe and North America.
If you’ve traveled to Italy before you’ll probably have developed a fondness for aperitivo hour. Aperitivo comes from the Latin word aperire, meaning “to open.” Historically, an aperitivo was an alcoholic beverage consumed before dinner to whet your appetite. Today, it’s a daily ritual that embodies la dolce vita.
True to form, this daily routine exudes Italy’s quintessential style of slowing down, socializing, drinking, and, of course, eating. In Italy aperitivo hour starts every night from around 6-9 PM at local cafes, bars, hotels, and restaurants. Italians and tourists alike take part in drinks and snacks while they unwind and catch up with friends before their evening meal filled with polenta, pasta, short rib ragu, pici, gnocchi, pizza and gelato.
Classic Italian aperitifs like vermouth, Campari, and Aperol are served at aperitivo hour with a complimentary selection of snacks like olives, crackers, cured meat and cheese.
We suggest ordering a refreshing Spritz Veneziano after sailing through the canals in Venice, luxury car hopping in Modena, tanning on the beach in Amalfi, visiting the Pantheon in Rome, exploring Italian Renaissance treasures in The Vatican, Armani and contemporary art shopping in Milan, touring the tower in Pisa, and enjoying a Honeymoon in Tuscany with stops in Siena, Sorano, Pitigliano, Saturnia, and Volterra.
What is Aperol?
Aperol is an Italian bitter apéritif made of gentian, rhubarb, and cinchona, among other ingredients. It has a vibrant orange hue. Its name comes from the French slang word for aperitif, which is apero.
Aperol was originally produced by the Barbieri company, based in Padua, but is now produced by the Campari Group. While Aperol was originally created in 1919, by Luigi and Silvio Barbieri, it did not become successful until after World War II. Although it tastes and smells much like Campari, Aperol has an alcohol content of 11%, less than half that of Campari. Aperol and Campari have the same sugar content, and Aperol is less bitter in taste. Campari is also much darker in colour.
The Spritz Veneziano is the most famous Aperol-based cocktail. Other popular variants include an Aperol Gin Cocktail, Aperol Tequila Cocktail and Aperol Negroni.
Aperitivo Spritz Cocktail Recipe Ingredients
Our Aperol Spritz Veneziano recipe is always made with fresh and premium ingredients.
- Italian Red Bitter Liqueur: use Aperol or Campari, which are herb infused aperitifs produced in Italy.
- Prosecco: use a dry sparkling wine to give the drink it’s signature sparkling mouth feel.
- Soda: the drink is topped with club soda but you can also use San Pellegrino or Soda Stream.
- Orange: garnish the wine glass with fresh orange slices.
Spritz Veneziano Recipe Tips
This Spritz Veneziano recipe is easy to make at home, ready to serve in under 5 minutes.
We love serving this aperitivo spritz on hot summer days and at special celebrations like New Years Eve, Christmas parties, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day brunch, and Easter. It’s of course a must when hosting an Italian themed dinner party.
If you find the cocktail to be too bitter feel free to add more prosecco. You can also lighten up the drink if it’s too boozy by adding a few more splashes of soda.
One hour before your guests arrive store your Aperol and Prosecco bottles in the freezer to ensure they are well chilled when ready to make drinks.
Our easy Aperol Spritz Veneziano recipe is listed for one person. If you’re hosting a large gathering feel free to multiply the ingredients by the number of guests and muddle the drink in a punch bowl or jug rather than individually building the drink in each glass.
Serve the drink in a large wine glass garnished with a juicy orange slice or wedge.
Best Bartender Tools & Cocktail Equipment
Before hosting a swanky Spritz Veneziano cocktail soiree you’ll need to ensure you have the best bartender tools and cocktail equipment.
- Cocktail Kit: cocktail kits are the perfect gift for newbie mixology fans as they include basic bartender tools like a jigger, shaker and spoon.
- Cocktail Shaker: a bartender’s best friend. Purchase a premium cocktail shaker to muddle or shake up your favourite pink gin cocktails.
- Cocktail Glassware: make sure your bar is stocked with a selection of unique glassware to show off your favourite cocktail creations.
- Hawthorne Strainer: this unique strainer features tightly wound coils and perforated holes. It keeps ice and other large ingredients like lime wedges in your cocktail shaker rather than in the glass.
- Bar Spoons: slender and long bar spoons are a must-have when stirring drinks.
- Bottle Opener: easily open bottles of beer or cider with the flick of your wrist or purchase a corkscrew for fine wine.
- Pouring Spout: once you’ve opened a new bottle of gin insert these affordable pourers to make cocktail assembly a breeze.
- Cutting Board: purchase a petite cutting board for your bar to slice garnishes or citrus wedges like lime, orange, lemon or grapefruit.
- Ice Bucket: chill bottles of gin quickly in an ice bucket or keep by the bar when muddling gin mixers into cool creations.
- Ice Crusher: fans of the Mint Julep love an ice crusher.
- Ice Cube Kit: we suggest purchasing a selection of ice cube trays. Silicone styles are our favourite as they’re easy to clean and are available in various shapes and sizes.
- Jigger: use a jigger to accurately measure spirits, juices, syrups and shrubs.
- Juicer: invest in an electronic juicer or buy an affordable hand-held to easily juice fresh citrus like lemons and limes.
- Muddler: fans of the Mojito love a sturdy muddler to mix mint and lime. Muddler’s are handy for any cocktail featuring ingredients that need a pounding like fresh herbs or citrus wedges.
- Citrus Peeler & Zester: adorn your craft cocktails with a thick citrus peel or finer ribbons of lime or lemon zest.
- Rimmer: Bloody Mary and Caesar lovers should outfit their bar with a handy rimmer for salting and sugaring glassware.
You May Enjoy These Aperol & Campari Cocktail Recipes…
- Aperol Tequila Cocktail
- Aperol Negroni Cocktail
- Aperol Aquavit Cocktail
- Aperol Gin Cocktail
- Garibaldi Cocktail Campari Orange Juice
- Negroni Sour Cocktail
- Negroski Vodka Negroni Cocktail
- Summer Strawberry Negroni Cocktail
- Negroni Spritz Cocktail
What To Serve With Spritz Veneziano
If you’re hosting an aperitivo spritz party follow the Italian tradition of serving cocktails with light bites in the late afternoon before the dinner hour.
Small bites may comprise taralli, charcuterie, cheese, sourdough bread, crackers, pizza, olives, potato chips, pickles, and roasted nuts.
How To Make An Easy Aperol Spritz Veneziano Cocktail
Spritz Veneziano Cocktail
Equipment
- Jigger
- Wine Glass
- Bar Spoon
Ingredients
- 2 oz Aperol
- 4 oz Prosecco
- 1 oz Sparkling Soda Water
- 2 Orange Slices
Instructions
- In an ice filled wine glass add aperol, prosecco and a splash of soda water.
- Squeeze orange slices over the glass and drop into the cocktail.
- Gently muddle with a bar spoon. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
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