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Aperol Soda is the ultimate thirst-quencher for warm days. With its bright, bittersweet flavor and fizzy soda water, this easy cocktail is as refreshing as it gets. One sip and you’ll feel like you’re lounging on a sunny Italian patio.
about this aperol soda cocktail
An Aperol soda is the simplest, most refreshing cocktail you can make this week. With just Aperol, soda water, and a squeeze of fresh orange, this easy Aperol soda recipe is as simple as it is satisfying. Bitter, bubbly, and vibrant, it’s the perfect pre-dinner drink to channel sunny piazzas and aperitivo hour.
Whenever I sip on this pre-dinner drink (or any cocktail with Aperol, really), I feel like I am immediately transported to Italy, basking in the warm sunshine with the scent of citrus dancing in the air as the bustling Italian piazza comes to life all around me.
I first fell in love with Aperol cocktails on a warm evening in Siena, sipping on the vibrant orange drink while watching the world go by. Back home, this easy Aperol soda recipe quickly became my go-to when I want all the bittersweet, citrusy flavor of an Aperol Spritz, without having to pop open a bottle of prosecco. It’s light, crisp, and ideal for everything from backyard happy hours to low-effort summer entertaining.
It’s one of those cocktails that you will love during summer months especially!
If you aren’t familiar with the bittersweet flavor Aperol, let me give you a little more information…
what is aperol? (and why it’s so good in cocktails)
Aperol was first created in Italy in the 1900s. The bitter Italian aperitif has a low alcohol content of 11%. The recipe hasn’t actually changed since it was first invented!
It is known for its flavor, made from both sweet and bitter oranges, rhubarb, gentian root, and cinchona bark. Of course, the secret recipe hasn’t been totally revealed, but it’s quite delicious and I love adding it cocktails.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Aperol soda is the kind of cocktail that proves less really is more.
- Fast and effortless – Ready in under 5 minutes with just a handful of ingredients.
- No prosecco needed – A simpler alternative to an Aperol Spritz, but just as refreshing.
- Low ABV cocktail – Perfect for sipping when you want something light and sessionable.
- Great for entertaining – Scale it up for a pitcher easily.
- Customizable – Adjust the sweetness or bitterness to your liking.
ingredients
aperol. The Italian apéritif is easily found at your local liquor store (or liquor section in the grocery store). The slightly bitter taste and vibrant orange color is what gives this cocktail it’s color and signature flavor.
simple syrup. you can easily buy this at your local store (liquor or grocery!), but I prefer to make it at home. All you need are equal parts water and sugar. Got questions? I have a guide on how to make simple syrup with plenty of tips and tricks!
club soda. Club soda or sparkling water (they are both the same thing) is all you need in this cocktail. I do not recommend using tonic water as it will shift the flavor of the drink. Tonic water actually makes this a completely different drink!
orange. An orange wedge is squeezed over the top of the cocktail to finish it! This is an optional step, but I highly recommend it for the added flavor. You can also use a slice of orange instead and stick it in the glass. Any type of orange works well from cara cara oranges to navel oranges to blood oranges.
tools to make this aperol soda recipe
To make this cocktail, you need only a few simple items. First is your favorite jigger to measure out the ingredients. I’m personally a fan of the double jigger.
You can serve this cocktail in your favorite cocktail glass! I love these Gatsby cocktail glasses that you see pictured here. They are so simple and elegant! Honestly any cocktail glass or large wine glass will work, though.
Finally, a cocktail spoon to stir everything together!
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how to make aperol soda
fill glass with ice
Fill cocktail glass with plenty of ice cubes. Make sure that you fill the glass all the way to the top with ice! This will ensure that the drink stays nice and cold.
build cocktail
To build the cocktail, add simple syrup and Aperol to the glass. Top with a splash of soda water and give everything a gentle stir.
squeeze of orange
Finish by squeezing and orange wedge over the top of the cocktail. This is optional, but I love the added flavor it brings. Stir together briefly.
Garnish with half an orange slice and serve.
tips for success
use the orange wedge. You might be tempted to skip the orange wedge, but the little squeeze of juice really adds a lovely aromatic note to the whole drink.
fill your glass with ice. Be sure to fill your glass all the way to the top with ice! This will keep the drink nice and chilled, which is just how you want to enjoy it.
play with the ratio. The amounts for this cocktail are just my personal recommendations, but you can always adjust them as desired! Experiment with the proportions of Aperol, simple syrup, and club soda as desired. Adjust the amounts so it can be more or less Aperol forward, depending on how much you want to taste the bitter flavor.
More simple cocktail recipes: Limoncello Martini | Lemon Agave Margarita | Cherry Amaretto Sour | Lemon Basil Cocktail
what’s the difference between an aperol soda and an aperol spritz?
An aperol soda cocktail is essentially an aperol spritz, but without the prosecco! I particularly love this cocktail because it comes in handy when you don’t want to open an entire bottle of sparkling wine.
Instead, you can just use Aperol, simple syrup, and club soda to get the same bubbly cocktail fix!
can I use tonic instead of soda water?
Since tonic water has a flavor to it, I do not recommend using it as a substitution for club soda. It will throw off the flavor of the cocktail, so you should use club soda or sparkling water (they are the same thing, by the way!) for this particular recipe. If you want to use tonic water, note that you are making aperol and tonic!
what other drinks use aperol?
The most classic drink that uses Aperol is an Aperol spritz recipe! Aperol is also used in classic cocktails like a Paper Plane, Aperol Sour, El Chapo, Aperol Negroni, and Division Bell.
can I use Campari?
If you like Campari, you can swap it in for Aperol! It’s another Italian bitter aperitif that is a bit more bitter than Aperol.
what does aperol taste like?
Aperol has a sweet flavor with a bitter finish! Notably you will taste notes of bitter orange, rhubarb, and aromatic herbs.
Many enjoy Aperol on its own, however I am not the biggest fan of it served straight over ice. I prefer to enjoy it in a cocktail like this Aperol soda!
do I have to use the orange wedge?
The orange wedge is optional, but I love squeezing it over the cocktail once it is made. The little zing of orange flavor from the orange juice sends this cocktail over the top. It’s just the little extra that makes this cocktail even better.
Need more inspiration for cocktail hour? Check out my cocktail recipes page!
💬 behind the recipe
I’ve tested a lot of cocktails in my kitchen over the years (occupational hazard of being a recipe developer, right?). Aperol Soda is one of those drinks I keep coming back to. It’s light, slightly bitter, and ridiculously easy to make.
The first time I had one was sitting on a sun-soaked patio in Siena, surrounded by locals catching up over aperitivo. I knew I had to recreate that moment at home, so I started tinkering with different ratios and little tweaks until I landed on this version. It’s simple enough for even a total cocktail newbie, but still feels like something special when you’re sipping it on the back porch.
what to eat with this aperol soda recipe
This aperol soda is ideal for serving during cocktail hour. Since it is typically served an an aperitif you will want to sip on this while enjoying some tasty appetizers, or enjoy it as you prepare your favorite Italian-themed meal.
My favorite appetizers to serve with an aperol soda are:
- Any kind of crostini or bruschetta! This is very typical Italian for ciccheti (small snacks or side dishes, usually served before dinner), so I love to pair this cocktail with a selection of these. Caprese bruschetta, avocado bruschetta, asparagus herb ricotta crostini, and/or salame peach ricotta crostini are all excellent choices!
- For an easy and light appetizer, serve up a plate of air fryer scallops drizzled with chive butter. You can also make these scallops and serve them over pasta for dinner!
For dinner, consider making:
- Bucatini cacio e pepe with broccoli is a minimalist pasta that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
- Easy risotto with asparagus and peas is simple and flavorful! You can add in your favorite protein to make it a full meal.
- Grilled caprese chicken with fresh herbs is a healthy and fresh summery take on a classic Italian flavor combination.
Finally, if you make this aperol soda recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.
Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!
Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!
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ingredients
- 2 oz Aperol
- 3 oz soda water
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 1 orange wedge optional
- Ice
- Garnish: orange slices cut in half
instructions
- Fill a cocktail glass with ice. Add Aperol, simple syrup, and soda water.
- Squeeze a wedge of orange over the top.
- Stir lightly. Garnish with 1/2 an orange slice. Serve.
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about meghan
Meghan Yager is the recipe developer, food photographer, and creative force behind Cake ‘n Knife, where everyday moments are celebrated with bold, flavor-forward recipes. From cozy cocktails to bold appetizers and indulgent desserts, her approachable style brings people together around food worth sharing. Meghan’s work has been featured by Good Housekeeping, Oprah Daily, Today, Woman’s Day, and The Huffington Post. She lives in Denver, where she brings big flavor and a little sass to every bite.
