Winter Aperol Spritz Recipe (Cranberry Aperol Spritz)

Experience the festive flavors of this Winter Aperol Spritz. Cranberry and Aperol pair perfectly with Prosecco for a colorful and refreshing holiday cocktail.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Winter Aperol Spritz
• Winter Aperol Spritz Ingredients
• Ingredient Notes
• How To Make Winter Aperol Spritz
• Substitutions & Variations
• Tips For Success
• Serving
• FAQ
• More Italian Recipes You'll Love
• Recipe
• Reviews

Why You'll Love This Winter Aperol Spritz

This Winter Aperol Spritz is the perfect holiday version of the traditional  Aperol Spritz 3-2-1 recipe! The bitter-sweet taste of the cranberry orange twist pairs perfectly with the bubbly Prosecco, and the sprig of rosemary adds a colorful festive touch. Here are more reasons why you will love this winter spritz:

• Perfect for Aperol spritz lovers who want a festive cocktail for winter! This winter aperitif is the perfect cocktail to serve at Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, or your next holiday party. If you love this recipe you'll also want to check out my pomegranate aperol spritz recipe!
• Simple seasonal ingredients. During the holiday season, you'll find an abundance of cranberries and rosemary for this winter cocktail.
• Easy to make! This winter cranberry Aperol spritz takes under 5 minutes to make. Add all of the ingredients to a glass, stir, and garnish. 

Winter Aperol Spritz Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this amazing winter Aperol spritz recipe:

Ingredient Notes

• Aperol Liquor: The perfect aperitif. Bright orange in color with a unique bittersweet taste. You can find this Italian liquor in most grocery stores and liquor stores. 
• Cranberry Juice: No-sugar-added cranberry juice, not cranberry cocktail, is recommended. The tartness of the cranberry adds a delicious balance to the bitter orange liquor, but if you prefer your Aperol spritz on the sweeter side, use sweetened cranberry juice.
• Prosecco: Italian sparkling wine, similar to champagne. I recommend using an affordable dry (brut) bubbly prosecco.
• Sparkling Water: A splash of club soda or sparkling water adds bubbles and freshness while toning down the bitterness of the Aperol. 
• Garnish: Add a few frozen or fresh cranberries, an orange wedge, and a sprig of rosemary for a festive touch.

Find the printable recipe card with full instructions and measurements below.

How To Make Winter Aperol Spritz

• Step 1: Add ice and Aperol. Fill a large wine glass half full with ice and top with 2 ounces of Aperol.
• Step 2: Add cranberry juice. Pour in 2 ounces of cranberry juice. 
• Step 3: Top with Prosecco and sparkling water. Pour in 3 ounces of Processo and 1 ounce of sparkling water. Stir to combine.
• Step 4: Garnish. Add a rosemary sprig, orange slice, and a few cranberries.

Substitutions & Variations

• Optional Garnishes - A sprig of fresh rosemary adds a winter twist and complements the citrus and cranberry. Other options include cinnamon sticks, star anise, or fresh thyme.
• A Sweeter Tasting Spritz - Adding a splash of homemade simple syrup or maple syrup will balance the bitter tartness. You can also use sweetened cranberry juice.
• A Stronger Tasting Spritz - If you like your Aperol spritz on the stronger side, skip the sparkling water. This will give a more bold, Aperol-forward flavor. 
• Add freshly squeezed orange juice -  An ounce of freshly squeezed orange juice or blood orange juice will add another layer of orange sweetness. 

Tips For Success

• Measure the ingredients - Whether measuring the ingredients with a cocktail jigger or on a food scale, you want the ratios to be accurate for the best results. 
• Chill Everything – Keep all of the ingredients chilled before making the spritzer. This not only ensures your cocktail is cold and refreshing but also helps maintain the bubbles in the Prosecco.

Serving

• Individual Drinks: If the individual drinks are made too far in advance, the ice will start to melt, and the Processo will lose its bubbles. Therefore, it is best to serve this festive drink right after preparation.
• Make a Large Batch (8 Drinks): Making a large batch is recommended right before serving to avoid losing the Prosecco bubbles. To a large drink dispenser add 2 cups Aperol, 2 cups of cranberry juice, 1 bottle of prosecco (750 ml bottle, dry or brut style), and 1 cup of sparkling water. Stir to combine. Fill 8 large wine glasses halfway with ice, and pour the cocktail mixture into each wine glass. Garnish and serve. 
• Serving a Spritz at a Party: Aperol Spritz is traditionally served as an aperitivo, or pre-dinner drink, in Italy. It's meant to stimulate your appetite before a meal. We hosted an Amalfi Coast Theme Party and served Hugo Spritz, Aperol Spritz, and Limoncello Spritz alongside limoncello cookies and a burrata caprese salad. This winter, an Aperol spritz would pair well with any small charcuterie, cranberry baked brie, or goat cheese bacon wrapped stuffed dates.

FAQ

More Italian Recipes You'll Love

I hope you love this Winter Aperol Spritz recipe as much as I do! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.

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