Strawberry Aperol Spritz

Aperol Spritz cocktails are already a warm-weather favorite, but adding strawberry gives the drink a fresh, juicy twist that feels perfect for sunny afternoons. This Strawberry Aperol Spritz is a little sweeter and fruitier than the classic version, while still keeping that crisp, lightly bitter finish Aperol is known for.

I love this cocktail because it looks beautiful without needing much effort. The strawberry purée gives it a soft red-orange color, the prosecco brings bubbles, and the mint garnish makes it feel fresh and inviting. It is the kind of drink that looks like you spent extra time on it, even though it comes together in minutes.

---

Why You’ll Love This

This Strawberry Aperol Spritz is a great choice when you want something bubbly, fruity, and not too heavy. It keeps the easy style of a classic spritz but adds fresh strawberry flavor and a touch of orange from the triple sec.

• It is quick to make right in the glass.
• Fresh strawberry purée adds natural fruit flavor.
• Prosecco keeps it crisp and bubbly.
• Aperol adds a light bittersweet finish.
• It is pretty enough for parties and photos.
• You can adjust the sweetness to match your taste.

This is a great cocktail for people who like spritz drinks but want something a little softer and fruitier than the original.

Ingredients

The ingredients in this cocktail work together beautifully. Aperol gives the drink its signature bittersweet orange flavor, strawberry purée adds fruitiness, and prosecco gives it that sparkling finish. Club soda keeps it light and easy to sip.

• 1.5 oz Aperol
• 0.5 oz triple sec
• 0.5 oz strawberry purée
• 3 oz prosecco
• 1 oz club soda
• Fresh Mint Leaves 2–3, gently slapped
• Strawberry for garnish

Fresh strawberry purée is the key to this drink. You can make it by blending fresh strawberries until smooth, then straining if you want a cleaner texture. If your strawberries are very sweet, you may not need any added sweetener.

The mint leaves should be gently slapped before adding them. This helps release their aroma without bruising them too much.

Suggested Liquor Brands and Substitutions

Since this cocktail has only a few ingredients, quality matters. You do not need expensive bottles, but choosing good prosecco and fresh fruit will make the drink taste much better.

• Aperol is the classic choice and gives the drink its bittersweet orange flavor.
• La Marca Prosecco is crisp, easy to find, and works well in spritz cocktails.
• Mionetto Prosecco has bright bubbles and a clean finish.
• Cointreau can be used as a higher-end triple sec option with strong orange flavor.
• DeKuyper Triple Sec is affordable and easy to use for casual mixing.
• Strawberry syrup can replace strawberry purée if needed, but use less because it is sweeter.

If you want a lighter drink, reduce the Aperol slightly and add more club soda. If you want more fruit flavor, add another spoonful of strawberry purée.

Equipment and Glassware

This cocktail is simple because it is built directly in the glass. You do not need a shaker, blender, or strainer unless you are making your own strawberry purée from scratch.

You’ll need:

• Blender if making purée
• Wine Glass
• Jigger
• Knife and Cutting Board
• Bar Spoon

A large wine glass is the best choice for a spritz. It gives the ice, bubbles, and garnish enough room while making the drink look bright and refreshing.

How to Make It

This cocktail is easy to build, but gentle stirring is important. You want everything combined without losing too many bubbles from the prosecco and club soda.

1. Add Aperol, triple sec, and strawberry purée to a wine glass filled with ice.
2. Stir briefly to combine and chill.
3. Top with prosecco and club soda.
4. Gently stir the cocktail to combine.
5. Garnish with a fresh strawberry fan and mint leaf. To make the garnish, thinly slice a strawberry into 3–4 pieces, keep the slices connected at the base, and place it on a cocktail pick diagonally with a mint leaf.

For a sweeter cocktail, use ripe strawberries or add a small splash of simple syrup. For a drier drink, use a dry prosecco and skip extra sweetener.

Pro Tips

A few small details can make this Strawberry Aperol Spritz taste and look even better.

• Use cold prosecco and cold club soda.
• Choose ripe strawberries for the best purée.
• Stir gently so the drink stays bubbly.
• Use plenty of ice to keep the cocktail cold.
• Strain the strawberry purée if you want a smoother drink.
• Do not overdo the mint. A little goes a long way.
• Use dry prosecco if you want a balanced finish.
• Make the strawberry garnish right before serving so it looks fresh.

Once you try the base version, you can adjust the Aperol, strawberry, or bubbles to make it your own.

Variations

This spritz is easy to customize, especially if you like fruity cocktails with a light sparkling finish.

• Strawberry Basil Spritz: Swap mint for fresh basil for a garden-fresh twist.
• Berry Aperol Spritz: Add raspberry or blackberry purée with the strawberry.
• Rosé Strawberry Spritz: Use sparkling rosé instead of prosecco.
• Extra Citrus Spritz: Add a small squeeze of fresh orange or lemon juice.
• Mocktail Version: Use orange soda, strawberry purée, club soda, and a splash of non-alcoholic bitters.

These variations are great for brunch menus, party pitchers, or guests who prefer different fruit flavors.

When to Serve and Pairings

The Strawberry Aperol Spritz is ideal for daytime entertaining because it is light, bubbly, and not overly strong. It feels especially right during spring and summer, but it can work any time strawberries are in season.

Serve it for:

• Weekend brunch
• Bridal showers
• Pool parties
• Patio dinners
• Garden parties
• Mother’s Day gatherings

Food pairings:

• Burrata with tomatoes
• Prosciutto and melon
• Strawberry spinach salad
• Shrimp skewers
• Lemon pasta
• Shortbread cookies

The strawberry and orange flavors pair well with salty snacks, light salads, seafood, and simple desserts.

Storage and Serving Notes

This cocktail is best served immediately after mixing because the prosecco and club soda lose bubbles over time. Build each drink fresh in the glass for the best texture.

You can make the strawberry purée ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to two days. Keep it covered in a sealed container and stir before using.

If you are serving a group, set up a small spritz bar with Aperol, triple sec, strawberry purée, prosecco, club soda, ice, and garnishes. Guests can build their own drinks, or you can mix them one at a time as needed.

Avoid mixing a large batch with prosecco too early. Add the sparkling ingredients just before serving.

FAQs

Here are a few helpful answers before you make this Strawberry Aperol Spritz.

Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes. Thaw them first, then blend into a purée. Frozen strawberries may be softer, but they still work well.

Is this sweeter than a classic Aperol Spritz?
Yes, slightly. The strawberry purée and triple sec add more fruit flavor and sweetness.

Can I make this without triple sec?
Yes. You can skip it or replace it with a small splash of orange juice.

What prosecco should I use?
A dry or extra dry prosecco works best because it balances the strawberry and Aperol.

Can I make this in a pitcher?
You can mix the Aperol, triple sec, and strawberry purée ahead of time, but add prosecco and club soda right before serving.

How do I make strawberry purée?
Blend fresh strawberries until smooth. Strain if desired for a cleaner texture.

More Cocktails to Try

If you like this Strawberry Aperol Spritz, these cocktails bring the same light, fruity, and refreshing feel.

• Apricot Spritz
• Rosé Cobbler
• Strawberry Hugo Spritz
• Plum Spritz
• Watermelon Spritz