Once cozy season strikes, you can find me behind my bar (my kitchen counter), playing around with seasonal cocktails and mocktails. One thing I have been really enjoying is taking classic recipes and giving them a festive fall twist. In this case, it means adding apple cider to just about everything, including my beloved Aperol Spritz.
I shared a boozy apple cider recipe early ten (!!) years ago, but that one was made with bourbon (or whiskey). Very tasty, but also very strong. What if you want something a little lower ABV? That’s where this spritz comes in. I know you might wonder, does apple cider go with Aperol? Trust me! It works. The combination is suprisingly great. You have the citrusy bitterness of Aperol and sweet, spicy fresh cider. A bright and bubbly start with a warm apple-cinnamon finish. Perfect for fall sipping. This is my ideal transitional cocktail: refreshing enough for early fall, but with delicious fall flavors.
In this blog post, I’m sharing my apple cider Aperol spritz recipe so you can recreate it at home. Whether you’re sitting around a backyard bonfire, hosting a fall dinner party, or just winding down after a long day, this is one you’ll want to save and make on repeat all season long.
Apple Cider Aperol Spritz Recipe: Sip Into fall
One of my favorite ways to lean into the season (besides dressing the part with cozy fall staples)? Flavors. Nutmeg, pumpkin spice, and yes: apple cider. This apple cider Aperol spritz is exactly that—a little sip of autumn in a glass. Best of all, it’s super simple to make (no fancy bartending tools required!). Just grab a wine glass, some ice, and a few ingredients that you probably already have. I know I’m personally never without a bottle of Aperol, it is one of my favorites!
You can also scale it up for a group. Make a big pitcher for your next holiday get-together or serve it at book club while you chat about your favorite fall reads. It’s a crowd-pleaser, and it looks just as pretty as it tastes.
I used store-bought apple cider from Whole Foods, but if you can snag fresh cider from an orchard? That’s even better! Once you make this cocktail for the first time, I promise, it’ll be on repeat from the beginning of the season until the end.
What Is Aperol Spritz & What Does an Aperol Spritz Taste Like?
If you aren’t familiar, an Aperol Spritz is basically sunshine in a glass—bubbly, citrusy, and just a little cheeky. It’s one of those effortlessly chic drinks that only needs a few ingredients: Aperol, Prosecco, and a splash of club soda. Pour it over a generous scoop of ice cubes, garnish with a slice of orange, and you’re set.
A little history lesson for you: its roots trace back to northern Italy, where Aperol was created in 1919. But the spritz itself? That goes back even further, when Austrian soldiers in the 19th century would dilute Italy’s bold wines with a spritz of water. Eventually, locals swapped the plain water for Aperol and Prosecco, and just like that, the iconic cocktail was born.
The taste is what keeps me coming back. It’s bright and refreshing, with just a little bit of a bitter kick. And I like that it is lower in alcohol. The combination of orange peel, a hint of herbs, a little rhubarb, and bubbly fizz is perfect. It’s the kind of drink that feels sophisticated but still relaxed. It’s absolutely perfect for late afternoon sipping.
How to Make an Aperol Spritz with Apple Cider
This is a cozy fall twist on one of my fall-time favorite cocktails. Easy ingredients, and even easier instructions! Grab what you need and get ready for an absolutely delicious sip.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Aperol
- 2 oz chilled apple cider (fresh is best if you can find it!)
- 3 oz chilled Prosecco
- 1 oz club soda (optional, for a little extra fizz)
- Garnish: Thin apple slices, a cinnamon stick, and/or a sprig of thyme
- For rim: Cinnamon sugar (2 parts sugar, 1 part ground cinnamon) and one lemon wedge or apple slice
Instructions
Step 1: Grab your favorite wine glass and run a lemon wedge (or a slice of apple!) around the rim. Dip the edge into a cinnamon-sugar mix on a plate. It adds just the right touch of sweetness with every sip, and it looks really pretty too.
Step 2: Fill your glass with ice. I like using these little sphere ice molds, but you can also use regular old ice cubes. I was all out of the round cuties so used regular ice cubes here.
Step 3: Pour the Aperol and apple cider over the ice in the glass. Give it a gentle stir to combine.
Step 4: Slowly pour in the Prosecco. Let it settle before giving the drink one last gentle stir.
Step 5: If you want that classic Aperol spritz sparkle (and also to dilute it a bit), top with a splash of club soda. I personally prefer to use sparkling Pellegrino. Whether you include club soda is totally up to you.
Step 6: Finish with a few thin apple slices, a cinnamon stick, and a sprig of thyme. Not only does it taste amazing, but it also makes the whole thing feel extra special.
Get into the fall season with festive cocktails to serve at your next holiday gathering.
If you’re hosting anything this fall (even jus ta low-key night in), a signature seasonal cocktail is such a fun touch. nd this apple cider Aperol spritz is one that always impresses. It’s crisp, a little unexpected, and totally perfect this time of year.
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Sounds delicious!
It is!