Raise your glass to a tantalizing twist on the classic Aperol Spritz, featuring the lively flavors of rum and grapefruit. ?? This exotic concoction captures the essence of tropical breezes and sunsets, promising an instant vacation with every sip.
Transport yourself to the streets of Rome with this classic Italian cocktail – the Aperol Spritz. This refreshing cocktail recipe combines simple ingredients like Aperol, rum, and grapefruit juice, providing a sweet yet slightly bitter flavor perfect for enjoying during the summer months!
Hot summer days call for refreshing, light-on-the-palate drinks, like this Blood Orange Paloma Spritzer, Smoked Mezcal Margarita, and this classic Italian Aperol Spritz. With a combination of Aperol, rum, and grapefruit juice garnished with grapefruit slices and mint sprigs, this classic cocktail will cool you down in no time!
What Is an Aperol Spritz?
Born in 1919 at the hands of bartender Raimondo Ricci, the Aperol Spritz is one of the Italian aperitifs, similar to a Garibaldi cocktail. This cocktail’s bittersweet flavor can be attributed to the bitter notes from Aperol, an Italian liqueur with a bright orange color.
For this recipe, we’re taking a tangy twist on the classic Aperol Spritz recipe consisting of Aperol, Prosecco, and a splash of club soda. Instead, we’re swapping the Prosecco for rum and the club soda with grapefruit juice, providing your favorite drink the perfect balance of sweet and bitter, just like a traditional Aperol Spritz! It’s a dangerously smooth drink for as synonymous with summertime as the Limoncello Spritz.
What You Need to Make an Aperol Spritz
- Rum (or gin) – We used light rum for this recipe.
- Aperol – You can find a bottle of Aperol online or at any liquor store.
- Grapefruit Juice – Fresh is best!
- Ice
- Grapefruit slices
- Mint sprigs
How to Make Aperol Cocktails
Add the Rum and Aperol
Fill a glass with ice, then pour in the rum and Aperol. Traditionally this cocktail is made with prosecco or sparkling water, but we’re giving it a tart twist.
Garnish
Top the glass with grapefruit juice and garnish with grapefruit slices and sprigs of mint.
Enjoy!
Relish in the fruits of your labor and sip on this bittersweet cocktail!
What to Serve With an Aperol Cocktail
A traditional Aperol Spritz is served during aperitivo hour, a period before dinnertime when people consume drinks and light snacks like a cheese plate or Parmesan Artichoke Bites to open up their palates before dinner.
If you want to be a rebel and consume this ultra-refreshing drink during dinner, pair it with lighter fare like this Thin-Crust Skillet Pizza or this Artichoke Chicken Pasta.
Expert Tips
- For a little extra flavor, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
- Add a splash of soda water or Italian sparkling wine to create a more bubbly drink!
- For a milder taste, use a little less Aperol than the recipe calls for.
- Garnish with a fresh orange slice instead of the grapefruit slice for a sweeter flavor profile!
- This fun flirty Italian cocktail is traditionally served in a wine glass for sipping but can be served in whatever wide cocktail glass you have on hand.
More Cocktail Recipes to Try
With its vibrant orange hue, refreshing bubbles, and perfect balance of bitter and sweet flavors, the Aperol Spritz has become an iconic summer cocktail enjoyed around the world. Embrace life’s simple pleasures and indulge in the sweet harmony of rum, bitter Aperol, and tangy grapefruit juice. Your taste buds will be glad you did! If you try this recipe, please rate the recipe card and leave a comment below to help out the next reader!
Grapefruit Aperol Spritz Cocktail
ItalianIngredients
- 2 oz Rum - or gin
- 1 oz Aperol
- 2 oz Grapefruit Juice
- Ice
- Grapefruit slices
- Mint sprigs
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice, then add the rum and Aperol.
- Top the glass with grapefruit juice and garnish with grapefruit slices and sprigs of mint.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- For a little extra flavor, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
- Add a splash of soda water or Italian sparkling wine to create a more bubbly drink!
- For a milder taste, use a little less Aperol than the recipe calls for.
- Garnish with a fresh orange slice instead of the grapefruit slice for a sweeter flavor profile!
Nutrition
Nutritional informations provided as a courtesy and is only an approximatation. Values will changes based on ingredients used.
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Recipe FAQs
You sure can! To make an Aperol Spritz mocktail, use alcohol-free Aperol, a splash of club soda, and fresh grapefruit juice!
This Aperol Spritz contains rum, Aperol, rum, and grapefruit juice, whereas a Garibaldi Cocktail consists of Campari, another classic Italian bitter liqueur, and orange juice. Both are bittersweet cocktails, but an Aperol Spritz is slightly sweeter and less bitter than a Garibaldi Cocktail. If you want to keep the integrity of the Aperol Spritz but add a bit more bitterness, swap out the Aperol for Campari!
Aperol is a slightly sweet Italian liqueur with a bitter side, with notes of rhubarb, bitter orange, and herbs. Plus, its lower alcohol content makes its fruitiness shine, making it the perfect drink for sipping on during happy hour!
Absolutely! You can add some simple syrup or a splash of orange juice to enhance the sweetness of this easy cocktail!