This Aperol Soda cocktail is a super easy 3 ingredient drink and is full of bittersweet citrus flavors. Plus, it only takes a few minutes to make to whip up this tasty cocktail!
I love Aperol cocktails, so I recommend checking out my other simple cocktail recipes featuring the sweet and bitter flavors of Aperol including my Aperol Negroni, Aperol Sour, and Rosé Negroni.
Simple and quick – You need just 3 ingredients and less than 5 minutes to make this Aperol Soda. Plus, no fancy equipment or cocktail shaker required!
Perfectly balanced – This refreshing cocktail has a harmonious sweet-bitter balance thanks to the combination of Aperol’s bittersweet orange flavor along with sour lemon and bubbly soda water. It is the perfect cocktail for a hot day in the Spring or Summer months but can also fit in at a party during the holiday season.
Beautiful – Aperol Soda cocktails are quite eye-catching and look fancy.
What is Aperol?
It is a classic Italian aperitifwith a sweet flavor and bitter edge that is a beautiful orange color. Italian aperitifs are typically consumed at the beginning of meals to stimulate appetite. Aperol makes some of the most delicious pre-dinner drinks before a big meal.
It shouldn’t be confused with Aperol’sclose Italian aperitif cousin, Campari, which is much more on the bitter side. Aperol has a similar bitter orange flavor but is much sweeter and more mellow than Campari.
Ingredient Notes
You just need a few simple ingredients from your local liquor and/or grocery store.
Aperol – With the popularity of Aperol Spritz cocktails, a bottle is fairly easy to find at most liquor stores.
Lemon juice – Fresh lemon juice will always taste best, but if you must use bottled juice go for 100% juice and avoid the juice from concentrate.
Soda water – I normally make soda water in my SodaStream, but I was out of carbon dioxide and I ended up using canned seltzer. Club soda or sparkling water are both fine to use.
Garnishes – I used a lemon slice to give an extra citrusy aroma. A slice of orange (from regular or blood oranges) would be a nice addition too!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the Aperol to a cocktail glass or large wine glass filled with plenty of ice cubes.
Step 2: Add the lemon juice.
Step 3: Top with soda water.
Step 4: Garnish if desired. Gently stir prior to drinking.
Variations
If you want a sweeter cocktail, try adding a touch of simple syrup.
For a more sour cocktail, increase the amount of lemon juice.
For more bitter flavor notes, add a few dashes of orange bitters.
Experiment with garnishes – try an orange wedge or a splash of orange juice, muddled berries, or herbs like rosemary or mint.
For a stronger cocktail, try adding a bit of vodka or gin to the cocktail.
Expert Tips
When you are stirring cocktails, move your spoon up and down while you’re stirring to ensure that the flavors of the cocktail are evenly distributed.
Chill your ingredients before making your cocktail – this will make for an extra refreshing drink.
For a less diluted drink, use frozen fruit for ice. Frozen berries or peaches would give a subtle flavor twist without diluting the drink. You can also add fruit to ice cube trays and freeze for a more aesthetic drink.
FAQ
What is the difference between an Aperol spritz and an Aperol soda?
The most famous Aperol cocktail is the classic Aperol Spritz recipe, which is made of Aperol, prosecco, and a splash of soda water. This Aperol Soda is made with Aperol, lemon juice, and soda water making it a good alternative if you want something a little less boozy or don’t care for prosecco.
No, it has a low alcohol content. It clocks in at 11% ABV (alcohol by volume), which is lower than the average wine. By contrast, Campari is about double the ABV of Aperol, and spirits like gin, vodka, etc. usually have around a 40% ABV.
How do I store Aperol?
You can get away with storing it at room temperature as long as it is in a cool, dark place.
But low-alcohol spirits (such as Aperol) and wine-based spirits (like vermouth, Lillet, etc.) will keep much longer refrigerated – at least 3 months and maybe more. The concern isn’t so much with safety but rather the quality of the liqueur.
I always recommend the golden rule of food safety – “When in doubt, throw it out.”
Can Aperol be drunk alone or straight up?
Yes, it is much more palatable for most people to sip on straight compared to something like Campari. The sweetness mellows the bitter orange flavor to make for an enjoyable drink.
What else can you mix with Aperol?
It goes great in many cocktails. Aside from the common mixers, soda water and prosecco, other mixers and spirits that go well include sweet vermouth, tonic water, citrus juices, bourbon, Amaro, rosé wine, gin, ginger beer, and so much more.
Basically, if you think something would pair well with a bittersweet orange flavor, try it and see how it goes!
This Aperol Soda cocktail is a super easy 3 ingredient drink and is full of bittersweet citrus flavors. Plus, it only takes a few minutes to make to whip up this tasty cocktail!
Susan
I loved the flavor and how simple it is to make!