Aperol cocktails are bright, bittersweet, and incredibly easy to love. That vibrant orange color alone makes any glass feel festive. Aperol brings gentle bitterness, citrus notes, and a touch of sweetness — perfect for both summer patios and cozy gatherings.
If you’ve ever asked, what can I mix Aperol with? or what’s a good mixer for Aperol? — think prosecco, soda, gin, vodka, bourbon, tequila, or even beer.
Let’s explore 15 of the best Aperol cocktails you can make at home.
1. Classic Aperol Spritz Cocktail
The iconic Aperol spritz cocktail is bubbly, refreshing, and party-ready.
It looks bright orange with sparkling bubbles and an orange slice garnish. The taste is lightly bitter, citrusy, and crisp.
Ingredients
- 3 oz prosecco
- 2 oz Aperol
- 1 oz soda water
- Ice
- Orange slice
How to Make It
Fill a wine glass with ice. Add prosecco, then Aperol, then soda water. Stir gently. Garnish with orange.
This simple Aperol spritz recipe is the foundation of all Aperol spritz cocktails.
Aperol spritz cocktail calories: Around 120–150 per serving.
2. Aperol Prosecco Cocktail Twist
A slightly stronger version of the classic.
It tastes more wine-forward but keeps that bright orange flavor.
Ingredients
- 3 oz prosecco
- 2½ oz Aperol
- Splash soda
- Ice
How to Make It
Add ice to a wine glass. Pour prosecco and Aperol. Top with soda. Stir lightly. A simple upgrade to your Aperol prosecco cocktail.
3. Gin Aperol Cocktail
If you’re wondering, what is gin and Aperol called? — It’s often just a gin and Aperol cocktail, and it’s delicious.
It tastes herbal, citrusy, and slightly bitter.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz gin
- 1 oz Aperol
- ½ oz lemon juice
- Ice
How to Make It
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled glass. A bold Aperol and gin cocktail option.
4. Aperol Vodka Cocktail
Smooth and clean, this is one of the easiest Aperol cocktails with vodka.
It tastes slightly sweet and citrus-forward.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz vodka
- 1 oz Aperol
- 1 oz orange juice
- Ice
How to Make It
Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into a glass. A refreshing vodka aperol cocktail for any gathering.
5. Bourbon Aperol Cocktail
Yes, bourbon works beautifully with Aperol.
This bourbon and aperol cocktail is warm and slightly bittersweet.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz bourbon
- 1 oz Aperol
- 2 dashes bitters
- Ice
How to Make It
Stir over ice and strain into a rocks glass. A cozy Aperol and bourbon cocktails twist perfect for fall.
6. Aperol Sour Cocktail Recipe
Silky and balanced, this is one of the most elegant Aperol cocktail recipes.
It tastes tart, lightly sweet, and smooth.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Aperol
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Ice
How to Make It
Dry shake first. Add ice and shake again. Strain into a coupe. A refined Aperol sour cocktail recipe.
7. Tequila Aperol Cocktail
Bright and bold, this tequila and Aperol cocktail is vibrant and fun.
It tastes citrusy with slight bitterness.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz tequila
- 1 oz Aperol
- ½ oz lime juice
- Ice
How to Make It
Shake with ice and strain into a rocks glass. A lively Aperol tequila cocktail option.
8. Whiskey Aperol Cocktail
This rich and balanced whiskey Aperol cocktail works beautifully in cooler months.
It tastes slightly bitter with caramel warmth.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz whiskey
- 1 oz Aperol
- ½ oz lemon juice
- Ice
How to Make It
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled glass. One of the most interesting Aperol cocktails whiskey lovers enjoy.
9. Mezcal Aperol Cocktail
Smoky meets citrus in this bold mezcal aperol cocktail.
It tastes smoky, bright, and slightly bitter.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz mezcal
- 1 oz Aperol
- ½ oz lime juice
- Ice
How to Make It
Shake with ice and strain into a rocks glass. A bold twist among cocktails with Aperol.
10. Aperol Beer Cocktail
Yes, beer works too.
This refreshing Aperol beer cocktail is light and crisp.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Aperol
- 4 oz light lager
- ½ oz lemon juice
- Ice
How to Make It
Add Aperol and lemon juice to a glass with ice. Top with beer. Stir gently. A fun addition to your simple Aperol cocktails list.
11. Aperol Gin Fizz (Herbal & Bright)
This refreshing Aperol gin cocktail is bubbly, citrusy, and slightly herbal. It looks glowing orange with lively bubbles on top.
It tastes crisp from the gin, lightly bitter from Aperol, and super refreshing.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz gin
- 1 oz Aperol
- ½ oz lemon juice
- 2 oz soda water
- Ice
How to Make It
Shake gin, Aperol, and lemon juice with ice. Strain into a glass over fresh ice. Top with soda water. A vibrant twist among gin Aperol cocktails.
12. Bourbon Aperol Smash
This bold bourbon aperol cocktail is smooth with a bittersweet edge. The deep amber color makes it perfect for Aperol cocktails winter.
It tastes warm, slightly citrusy, and balanced.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz bourbon
- 1 oz Aperol
- ½ oz maple syrup
- 2 dashes bitters
- Ice
How to Make It
Stir all ingredients with ice until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over a large cube. A cozy option among Aperol and bourbon cocktails.
13. Aperol Tequila Sunrise Twist
Bright and layered, this lively Aperol tequila cocktail is fruity and fun.
It tastes citrus-forward with a smooth agave finish.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz tequila
- 1 oz Aperol
- 2 oz orange juice
- Splash grenadine
- Ice
How to Make It
Fill a glass with ice. Add tequila, Aperol, and orange juice. Slowly pour grenadine to create layers. A festive tequila and aperol cocktail.
14. Aperol Whiskey Citrus Sour
This elegant whiskey aperol cocktail blends caramel warmth with bittersweet orange notes.
It tastes rich, smooth, and lightly tart.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz whiskey
- 1 oz Aperol
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Ice
How to Make It
Shake all ingredients with ice until well-chilled. Strain into a coupe glass. A refined addition to your Aperol cocktail recipe list.
15. Aperol Summer Citrus Spritz
Light and bright, this is one of the easiest simple Aperol cocktails for warm days.
It tastes crisp, citrusy, and refreshing.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Aperol
- 2 oz prosecco
- 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- Splash soda water
- Ice
How to Make It
Fill a wine glass with ice. Add Aperol and grapefruit juice. Top with prosecco and soda. Stir gently. A fresh variation of the classic Aperol spritz cocktail recipe.
Quick Answers
What can I mix Aperol with?
Prosecco, soda water, gin, vodka, bourbon, tequila, mezcal, citrus juice, or beer.
What’s a good mixer for Aperol?
Prosecco and soda (classic spritz), gin for herbal notes, or bourbon for warmth.
How to make an Aperol spritz cocktail?
3 oz prosecco, 2 oz Aperol, 1 oz soda water, ice, orange slice. Stir gently.
Quick Extra Tips
Still wondering what can I mix Aperol with?
Try gin, vodka, bourbon, tequila, prosecco, soda water, citrus juices, or even mezcal for smoky depth — perfect bases for both Aperol cocktails and refreshing holiday cocktails that fit any season.
Now you have 15 unique Aperol cocktails — from bold winter sippers to light summer spritzes — making them just as versatile as your favorite holiday cocktails.
Which one are you serving next?
