How to make the perfect Aperol Spritz

Learn how to make everyone’s favorite Aperitivo cocktail with the easy-to-remember PASS method!

It’s a hot Summer afternoon and your guests are looking for something sunny and easy-drinking. Obviously they’re reaching for the Aperol Spritz–the undisputed crowd favorite for Aperitivo hour. But simple as it is, did you know there’s an art to making it correctly?

Read on to find out what the PASS method is, and why learning it gives you a perfect serve every time.

What is the Aperol Spritz?

The story of Italy’s #1 Cocktail began over 100 years ago, when Silvio & Luigi Barbieri debuted Aperol to the Italian public at the 1919 International Fair in the city of Padua.

Inspired by their journeys to experience the French ritual known as Apero, the brothers felt that naming their new product Aperol appealed to their Italian heritage and shared experiences abroad.

The reason the Aperol Spritz is taking over the cocktail world is clear: it’s easy to enjoy and easy to make.

But are you making it right?

What is PASS and why is it important?

When Building an Aperol Spritz, the order in which you add the ingredients matters!

The PASS Method is an easy-to-remember trick for building the perfect Aperol Spritz every time. It stands for:

1. Fill a balloon or wine glass with ice. This will help keep all of the ingredients cold and refreshing.
2. Prosecco: Pour 3 oz of Prosecco over the ice. This creates the perfect base.
3. Aperol: Next, pour 2 oz of Aperol. You want to add it second because it is heavier.
4. Soda: Finally, you’ll add a splash of soda (1 oz) on top.
5. Slice: No Aperol Spritz is complete without a fresh slice of orange.

The Aperol Spritz is a simple cocktail to make, but the order in which it’s made has a major affect on its outcome. Remember, by adding Prosecco first, followed by Aperol, the ingredients naturally integrate, so you don’t have to stir it, and you preserve that wonderful effervescence.

Avoid Layering: Sunsets are great for enjoying a drink, but we don’t want your spritz to look like one. Instead, create a consistent orange hue throughout.

Now you’ve learned PASS! As one of the most popular cocktails in the world, teaching your bar team this simple method empowers them to create perfect Aperol Spritzes every time, resulting in more happy guests. Saluti!