Aperol spritz alternatives to try this summer
Swap the classic aperitif for ginger beer or limoncello for a refreshing twist

Easy to make and wonderfully refreshing, there's a reason the spritz is a staple of summer cocktail menus. Made using the simple three-two-one ratio of prosecco, aperitif and soda water, the Italian cocktail is remarkably straightforward to replicate at home.
The story behind the spritz dates back to the 1800s, according to Olivia White in Vine Pair. That's when Austrian soldiers in the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia began diluting Italian wines with a splash of soda water to "make them more palatable".
It wasn't until 1919, though, that Aperol made its debut in Padua. The recipe for the orange-coloured aperitif took the Barbieri brothers seven years to perfect – and remains intact to this day. By the 1960s, the winning formula for the Aperol spritz had been nailed down, and the ingredients for the cocktail began making their way into drinks cabinets across the globe.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Demand is showing no signs of slowing down, either. In 2023 alone, Campari Group's Aperol sales soared by 23.1%, said The Spirits Business, and have quintupled in the last decade.
While the Aperol iteration is arguably the most famous spritz of all, in recent years mixologists have been putting their own twist on the classic drink. "As iconic as it is," said Chadner Navarro in Vogue, "there isn't actually a rigid recipe for what counts as a spritz – and maybe that's part of its timeless allure."
For a "more citrus-forward" take, Renato Marco Tonelli, the beverage training director at Dante in New York and Beverly Hills, told Vogue to swap Aperol for Select Aperitivo that's been pre-blended with rhubarb amaro and blood-orange gin. Instead of "plain-Jane soda water", the recipe "amps up the acidity" with a splash of blood-orange soda mixed with balsamic vinegar.
If you're looking for something a bit easier, BBC Good Food shared two simple recipes: one swaps Aperol for a glug of limoncello and a sprig of fresh thyme; the other replaces the vibrant aperitif with a heady mix of ginger beer and golden ale.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Finally, for a "sweet and crisp" take on a spritz, Amy Beecham in Stylist advised replacing Aperol with St-Germain elderflower liqueur. Top the fruity spirit with prosecco, soda and a wedge of orange for an easy-drinking cocktail ideal for a balmy summer night.
Irenie Forshaw is a features writer at The Week, covering arts, culture and travel. She began her career in journalism at Leeds University, where she wrote for the student newspaper, The Gryphon, before working at The Guardian and The New Statesman Group. Irenie then became a senior writer at Elite Traveler, where she oversaw The Experts column.
-
10 upcoming albums to stream during spooky season
The Week Recommends As fall arrives, check out new albums from Taylor Swift, Jeff Tweedy, the Lemonheads and more
-
A Spinal Tap reunion, Thomas Pynchon by way of Paul Thomas Anderson and a harrowing Stephen King adaptation in September movies
the week recommends This month’s new releases include ‘Spinal Tap II,’ ‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘The Long Walk’
-
Don't fly by the seat of your pants. Do it the healthy way with these airborne tips.
The Week Recommends Yes to stretching. Even more yesses to hydration.
-
'The Office' spinoff, a 'Mare of Easttown' follow-up and the Guinness family royalty in September TV
the week recommends This month's new television releases include 'The Paper,' 'Task' and 'House of Guinness'
-
Pickle juice drinks that pack a punch
The Week Recommends Use leftover brine to make fresh lemonade and tangy margaritas
-
One great cookbook: 'Jam Bakes'
The Week Recommends A guide to pristine jam-making, plus the baked goods that love them
-
September's books tell of friendship in middle age, teachers versus fascists, and Covid psychosis
the week recommends September books include Angela Flournoy's 'The Wilderness,' Randi Weingarten's 'Why Fascists Fear Teachers' and Patricia Lockwood's 'Will There Ever Be Another You'
-
6 products and apps to help fight jet lag
The Week Recommends Don't let travel fatigue drag you down