Aperol Spritz Christmas Edition
When you think of Christmas cocktails, rich flavors like spiced eggnog and mulled wine might come to mind.
But what if you could enjoy a classic summer drink, but with a cozy, festive twist? That's where the Christmas Aperol Spritz comes in.
This cocktail is everything you love about the classic Aperol Spritz but with a holiday flair that makes it perfect for your Christmas gatherings.
Whether you’re looking to serve something light and refreshing before the big Christmas dinner or just want to shake things up with a drink that feels both festive and fun, the Aperol Spritz Christmas Edition is your answer.
Why You’ll Love the Christmas Aperol Spritz
The Aperol Spritz is a beloved cocktail worldwide, famous for its bright orange color, crisp bubbles, and slightly bitter-sweet flavor.
While the original recipe is a summer classic, turning it into a Christmas version is all about adding ingredients and garnishes that give it that festive edge.
Here’s why you’ll love the Christmas edition of the Aperol Spritz:
Festive Vibes: The gorgeous orange hue of Aperol already feels like a warm holiday sunset, but when you add sparkling wine, cranberries, and a hint of rosemary, you’ve got a drink that’s as festive as it is delicious.
Easy to Make: The beauty of an Aperol Spritz, whether it's the classic or Christmas edition, is how simple it is to make. You don’t need a ton of ingredients or fancy equipment.
Just a few key ingredients and you’re good to go!
Light & Refreshing: Christmas drinks don’t always have to be heavy and boozy.
This cocktail is light, bubbly, and refreshing, making it a great choice to sip on throughout the night without feeling overwhelmed by richness.
Customizable: You can tweak the recipe to make it a little more festive by playing with different garnishes, herbs, and even adding a splash of something like cranberry juice for an extra pop of color and flavor.
Ingredients for the Aperol Spritz Christmas Edition
To make this holiday-inspired cocktail, you’ll need just a few ingredients that come together in a beautiful and delicious drink. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
3 oz Aperol (this is the key ingredient that gives the cocktail its signature color and bittersweet flavor)
3 oz Prosecco (or any other dry sparkling wine; this adds the bubbles and makes the drink feel light)
1 spoon (or 5ml) of Rosemary Syrup (recipe below)
1 oz Soda Water (adds a bit of effervescence without overpowering the drink)
Cranberries (fresh, for garnish)
Rosemary Sprigs (for garnish and a touch of festive flavor)
Orange Slice (for garnish)
Ice Cubes (to chill the drink)
How to make rosemary syrup
For the rosemary syrup combine equal parts whites sugar and water in a saucepan. For purposes of explaining, let’s go with 1 cup of each.
Bring them to a boil whilst stirring. Once boiling and all the sugar has dissolved and the water is clear, bring to a simmer, add a few sprigs of fresh rosemary, stir and leave to brew for 5 minutes.
Take of the heat and allow to cool. Once cool bottle and store in your refrigerator for up to 1 week. Feel free to add orange peels or spices to take this festive syrup to the next level.
How to Make Aperol Spritz Christmas Edition
Making the Aperol Spritz Christmas Edition is as simple as the classic version, just with a few extra touches to make it festive! Here’s how to whip it up:
Step 1: Prepare the Glass
Start by filling a wine glass (or large rocks glass) with ice. You want to make sure there’s plenty of ice to keep your drink chilled and refreshing.
Step 2: Pour in the Aperol and Syrup
Next, pour in 3 oz of Aperol. and spoon of rosemary syrup. Aperol gives this drink its signature color and flavor, so it’s a crucial part of the recipe.
Rosemary gives this the Christmassy feel.
Step 3: Add the Prosecco
Now, gently pour 3 oz of Prosecco into the glass. You want to do this slowly to preserve the bubbles.
Prosecco is light and crisp, so it complements the slightly bitter Aperol beautifully. The bubbles will lift the drink and make it feel extra celebratory.
Step 4: Top with Soda Water
Top the drink with about 1 oz of soda water. This adds a little more effervescence and lightens the drink without overwhelming the flavor.
You can add more soda water if you prefer a lighter taste or less if you want the Aperol to shine through more.
Step 5: Garnish with Festive Touches
This is where the magic happens! Garnishing your Aperol Spritz Christmas Edition will make it feel truly special.
Drop in a few fresh cranberries for a pop of red and some holiday cheer.
They add a nice contrast to the drink and can float around in the glass, making it look extra festive.
Add a sprig of rosemary for a little greenery and a fresh, aromatic touch. Rosemary’s pine-like aroma is perfect for the holiday season and pairs nicely with the flavors of Aperol and Prosecco.
Finally, garnish with a thin orange slice to tie in the citrus notes from the Aperol and give the drink an extra bit of color.
You can also add citrus peels, spices such as star anise or Christmas savory bits.
Step 6: Stir and Serve
Give the drink a gentle stir to combine everything, and you’re ready to serve! You’ll notice how the orange Aperol, sparkling Prosecco, and colorful garnishes make the drink look as festive as it tastes.
Tips for the Perfect Aperol Spritz Christmas Edition
Use Chilled Ingredients: For a super refreshing drink, make sure your Prosecco and Aperol are chilled before mixing.
This way, you won’t have to add too much ice and risk diluting your drink.
Don’t Over-Sweeten: The beauty of the Aperol Spritz is its balance of sweetness and bitterness.
Keep the proportions of Aperol, Prosecco, and soda water in check so that it remains crisp and refreshing without being too sweet.
Play with the Garnishes: If you’re feeling creative, you can add other garnishes like a cinnamon stick or a twist of orange peel to give the drink a unique, personal touch.
Customize the Bubbles: If you prefer a different type of sparkling wine or even Champagne, feel free to swap out the Prosecco for what you like best.
Just keep in mind that the lighter, crisper the wine, the better it will balance the bittersweet Aperol.
Why Aperol Spritz Christmas Edition Works for the Holidays
The Aperol Spritz Christmas Edition is perfect for the holidays for a few reasons.
First off, the drink is light and refreshing, which is a nice change of pace from heavier winter cocktails like eggnog or mulled wine.
It’s easy to drink and doesn’t leave you feeling too full or heavy, perfect for sipping throughout a long night of holiday festivities.
Plus, the garnishes (cranberries, rosemary, and orange) add that undeniable festive feel, making the drink not only delicious but visually striking too.
It looks beautiful on your drink table or served at your holiday party, and the balance of bitterness from the Aperol and sweetness from the Prosecco makes it incredibly drinkable.
Whether you're serving it as an aperitif before Christmas dinner, offering it to guests as a signature holiday drink, or simply enjoying it by the fire, the Aperol Spritz Christmas Edition is an easy and impressive drink that’s sure to become a holiday favorite.
Similar Recipes
Finally, if you enjoy this recipe, I’d recommend taking a look at these festive recipes;
As for Christmas drink resources, we recommend checking out;
Christmas Aperol Spritz
Ingredients
Instructions
- Start by filling a wine glass (or large rocks glass) with ice. You want to make sure there’s plenty of ice to keep your drink chilled and refreshing.
- Next, pour in the Aperol, Prosecco, and Rosemary Syrup. Stir well then top with the soda.
- Drop in a few fresh cranberries for a pop of red. Add a sprig of rosemary for a little greenery and a fresh, aromatic touch. Finally, garnish with a thin orange slice and enjoy.
Notes
For the rosemary syrup. Mix equal parts sugar and water in a sauce pan (I like to go with 500grams each). Then stir whilst bringing it to a boil. Once boiling and the sugar has dissolved you can turn down the heat. You now have sugar syrup. Add whatever you want to flavor it, in this case, we're going to add a few sprigs of rosemary and let it simmer for 15 minutes before taking out the sprigs and bottling our rosemary syrup ready to use.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
361Fat
2 gSat. Fat
1 gCarbs
75 gFiber
8 gNet carbs
67 gSugar
31 gProtein
2 gSodium
16 mgCholesterol
0 mgThe nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
Final Thoughts
The Aperol Spritz Christmas Edition is the perfect cocktail to serve during the holiday season.
Next time you're hosting a holiday party or gathering, give this drink a try. It’s easy to make, visually stunning, and guaranteed to impress your guests.
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