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If you like the classic Aperol Spritz cocktail, you’ll definitely love this Aperol Tonic recipe.

Close up of aperol tonic with a dried orange slice as a garnish with a bottle of aperol on the side.

Made with simple ingredients, this Aperol cocktail is one of the easiest cocktails to relax with on those long hot days of Summer. It is like an Aperol Spritz recipe got together with a gin and tonic cocktail recipe and made an Aperol Tonic. It’s a bit unconventional, but it really is the best flavor combination with a refreshing taste.

Aperol is one of my favorite Italian aperitif liqueurs with a sweet and bitter orange flavor and a bright orange color to match. An aperitif is a liqueur that is made to sip before meals – kind of like a cocktail appetizer. It’s the opposite of a digestif, like limoncello, which is meant for after a meal. If you tend to not like super sweet drinks, this Italian drink is for you. For me, it’s the right balance of sweet and bitter flavor. I prefer Aperol over Campari.

Ingredients for Aperol Tonic

Ingredients for the aperol tonic cocktail with an aperol bottle, tonic water bottle, and a carafe of orange juice.

The main ingredients are very straightforward for this simple Aperol Tonic cocktail.

Aperol: You can find a bottle of Aperol in most liquor stores these days.

Orange: I like to use a splash of orange juice and then an orange slice to garnish. I think it helps bring out the fruity notes of the Aperol. You can use a fresh or dried orange wheel. I went for a dried orange slice that I dehydrated for cocktails. The slice of orange gives a little extra sweetness. If the sweetness of the Aperol isn’t enough, you can opt for adding a little simple syrup to suit your tastes.

Tonic water: It’s important to get good quality tonic water for the best flavor. You can find good quality tonic water in any grocery store. If you have trouble finding it, you can always check Amazon. My favorites are Fever-Tree and Q Mixers. Both brands also make top-notch ginger beer as well.

How to Make an Aperol Tonic

An orange aperol tonic sitting on a wood cutting board next to a bottle of aperol.

This cocktail is best served on the rocks and stirred, so no cocktail shaker is needed here. Add some ice cubes to a cocktail glass. I used an old-fashioned cocktail glass, but you can also use a highball glass. Then add your Aperol, followed by a splash of orange juice, and then top it all off with your favorite tonic water.

Best Way to Serve for a Crowd

Glass of aperol tonic on a wood surface with a cocktail spoon and a bottle of aperol on the side.

An Aperol tonic, like Aperol Spritzes, are made for warm weather. This recipe only serves one, but if you want to make a big batch for a group this is an easy cocktail to do that with. For example, to serve 8 cocktails, I would mix 2 cups of Aperol with 1/4 cup of orange juice (I rounded up for simplicity) in a pitcher prior to when you need them. You could even slice up a few oranges and pop them into the pitcher sangria-style. Then when you’re ready to serve, simply fill everyone’s glasses with ice, then the Aperol mixture, and then topped off with tonic water.