In the summer months, we love drinking a classic Aperol spritz. It is light, refreshing, with a slightly bitter taste that is balanced by the sweetness of the prosecco. This cranberry Aperol spritz recipe is a festive twist on the classic cocktail and is perfect for the holiday season.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
This cranberry Aperol spritz is very easy to make, making it the perfect cocktail to serve at your next holiday party.
In the printable recipe below, you can find a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
- Aperol: There is absolutely no substitute for this Italian liqueur. Aperol is a bittersweet apéritif with a bright orange hue and flavor notes of citrus and herbs.
- Prosecco: This Italian sparkling wine is similar to Champagne but has lighter bubbles and a fruitier taste. This is the classic sparkling wine for an Aperol spritz, but you can substitute a cava or your favorite inexpensive Champagne.
- Cranberry Juice: We are using a high-quality, unsweetened cranberry juice that’s not from concentrate. This is not your everyday Ocean Spray cranberry cocktail. If you substitute this with a cranberry cocktail, double the amount you add, and you’ll probably not need any additional sweetener. The cranberry flavor won’t come through as clearly, so it may be worth purchasing the real stuff.
- Orange Juice: For the best flavor, use fresh-squeezed orange juice. Store-bought orange juice from concentrate usually contains added sugar, making this drink too sweet.
- Club Soda: If you don’t have club soda, you can substitute your favorite sparkling water.
How to Make a Cranberry Aperol Spritz
Here are the quick step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions with the exact ingredients in the recipe card below.
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Pro-tip: Chill your glasses in advance. This will help to keep your cocktail cold and refreshing. You can chill your glasses by placing them in the freezer for 15-30 minutes before serving.
Cranberry Aperol Spritz: In a small pitcher, combine the Aperol, cranberry juice, and orange juice. Pour half of the juice mixture into a glass that’s been filled with ice then top with chilled Prosecco. Pour the Prosecco slowly to preserve the fizz. Finish by adding a splash of sparkling water or club soda to each glass. Garnish with cranberries, an orange slice, and sprig of rosemary.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- You can adjust the amount of cranberry juice and orange juice to your taste. If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, add more orange juice. If you prefer a more tart cocktail, add more cranberry juice.
- For a more festive presentation, you can rim the glass with sugar before adding the cocktail.
- To help keep your cocktail cold and prevent your hands from warming up the glass use a wine glass with a stem.
More Holiday Cocktails to Try
Looking for more holiday cocktail recipes? Try these other favorites:
- White Christmas Margarita – The perfect festive drink, with its creamy coconut flavor, refreshing lime tartness, and subtle warmth from tequila. It’s also easy to make, so you can whip up a batch for your next holiday party.
- Apple Cider Mimosa – The perfect fall brunch cocktail. They’re easy to make, delicious to drink, and festive to serve. Made from fresh apple cider, a splash of bourbon, and your favorite sparkling wine.
- Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour – Combines tangy cranberries, fresh squeezed orange juice, and the warmth of whiskey.
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Cranberry Aperol Spritz
This recipe may contain paid affiliate sales links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my full disclaimer policy for details.
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Ingredients
- 3 ounces Aperol
- 1 ounce cranberry juice, not from concentrate
- 1 ounces orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 ounces club soda or sparkling water
- 6 ounces Prosecco, or other sparkling wine
- orange slices, for garnish
- cranberries, for garnish
- rosemary sprig, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a wine glass with ice.
- In a small pitcher, combine Aperol, cranberry juice, and orange juice. Pour half of the juice mixture into each prepared glass.
- Top each glass with chilled Prosecco. Pour slowly to preserve the fizz. Finish by adding a splash of sparkling water or club soda to each glass.
- Garnish with cranberries, an orange slice, and sprig of rosemary.