Description
A refreshing frozen twist on the classic Aperol Spritz, perfect for hot days. Blended with ice, orange juice, and simple syrup for an easy, delightful cocktail.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 bottle (750ml) Aperol
- 1 bottle (750ml) Prosecco, chilled
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/2 cup simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, heated until sugar dissolves, then cooled)
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 cups ice cubes, plus more for serving
- Orange slices, for garnish
- Optional: Sparkling water or club soda, for topping (if needed)
Instructions
- Combine Aperol, Orange Juice, Simple Syrup, and Lemon Juice: In a large pitcher or bowl, pour in the entire bottle of Aperol. Then, add the fresh orange juice, simple syrup, and lemon juice. Give it a good stir to make sure everything is well combined.
- Taste and Adjust: Give the mixture a taste. If it’s too bitter, add a little more simple syrup. If it’s too sweet, add a splash more lemon juice.
- Chill the Mixture (Optional): Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before blending for a smoother consistency.
- Add Ice and Blend: Pour the Aperol Spritz mixture into a high-powered blender. Add the 2 cups of ice cubes. Start blending on low speed and gradually increase to high speed until the mixture is smooth and slushy. You might need to stop the blender a few times to scrape down the sides with a spatula to ensure all the ice is incorporated.
- Check the Consistency: Once the mixture is blended, check the consistency. It should be thick and slushy, similar to a frozen margarita. If it’s too thin, add a few more ice cubes and blend again. If it’s too thick, add a splash of Prosecco or sparkling water to loosen it up.
- Adjust for Sweetness/Tartness Again (If Needed): Give it another taste! Blending with ice can sometimes dilute the flavors slightly, so you might need to add a touch more simple syrup or lemon juice to rebalance the taste.
- Pour into Glasses: Pour the frozen Aperol Spritz into chilled glasses.
- Top with Prosecco: Gently top each glass with chilled Prosecco.
- Garnish with Orange Slices: Garnish each glass with a fresh orange slice.
- Optional: Add a Splash of Sparkling Water: If you find the frozen Aperol Spritz too strong or sweet, you can add a splash of sparkling water or club soda to each glass.
- Serve Immediately: Frozen drinks are best enjoyed immediately, before they start to melt.
Notes
- Use Frozen Fruit: For an even more intense fruit flavor, try adding frozen orange segments or frozen strawberries to the blender along with the ice.
- Add a Touch of Bitters: For a more complex flavor profile, add a few dashes of orange bitters to the Aperol Spritz base before blending.
- Make it a Mocktail: To make a non-alcoholic version, substitute the Aperol with a non-alcoholic Aperol alternative and use sparkling white grape juice instead of Prosecco.
- Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet drink, reduce the amount of simple syrup or use a sugar substitute.
- Make it Ahead: You can prepare the Aperol Spritz base ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Just be sure to blend it with ice right before serving.
- Experiment with Other Citrus: While orange and lemon are the classic choices, you can also try adding a splash of grapefruit juice or lime juice for a different twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes