UPDATE: This post was updated on March 10, 2025 to include conversions for metric measurements, a video and nutrition information.
As the weather warms up, I'm ready for refreshing, easy-to-make cocktails like this Aperol Soda! It comes together in just a few minutes and is also great a lower-alcohol cocktail option as the Aperol is the only spirit included in this recipe.
An Aperol Soda is great to enjoy as an apéritif before a meal, or with appetizers such as a charcuterie board.
If you're looking for other cocktail recipes, check out this Blood Orange Old Fashioned, Watermelon Mint Cocktail, and this Strawberry Basil Vodka Cocktail.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- An Aperol Soda is a light and refreshing cocktail that is perfect for Spring or Summer sipping!
- Aperol is the only alcohol in the cocktail, making this a lower-alcohol beverage option.
- This cocktail is easy to make and will be ready in just a few minutes!
- The Aperol gives this cocktail a beautiful color that looks great in festive drinkware.
Ingredients
There are only a few ingredients you'll need to bring this cocktail together.
- Aperol: Aperol is a bitter, low-alcohol Italian apéritif with a vibrant red / orange hue. This is the only alcohol in this recipe, which makes this a lower-alcohol cocktail option. I recommend using a cocktail jigger to measure the spirits.
- Club soda: Club soda has a more neutral flavor than tonic water. In a pinch, you can also use regular sparkling water.
- Orange Simple Syrup: I use Orange Simple Syrup in this recipe for an extra hint of orange flavor, but you could also make this with regular simple syrup, or another flavored simple syrup of your choice.
- Orange: Use an orange slice to garnish the cocktail. Smaller oranges work better than larger oranges (and they tend to not have seeds). You can also use blood oranges!
See full recipe below for detailed directions.
Subsitutions & Variations
- Make it more or less sweet: If you'd like for your cocktail to be sweeter, add more simple syrup. If you're looking for a less-sweet cocktail, reduce the amount of simple syrup (or leave it out completely).
- Change the garnishes: Rather than using an orange slice, try a blood orange, a lemon, or even fleshy fruits like strawberries or peaches.
- Change the simple syrup: This recipe uses Orange Simple Syrup for an additional hint of orange flavor. You can also use regular simple syrup or another flavored simple syrup of your choice.
How to Make an Aperol Soda
You'll be ready to sip this cocktail in just a few minutes!
Fill a lowball glass with ice.
Add 1 teaspoon of orange simple syrup (or simple syrup of your choice).
Add 2 oz. Aperol.
Top with 3 oz. club soda. Garnish with a fresh orange slice and enjoy!
The orange garnish is optional but makes this a more special sipping experience. Use any kind of orange, but smaller oranges tend to fit better in the glass and they're also less likely to have seeds.
Aperol Soda vs. Aperol Spritz
An Aperol Soda is a very simple cocktail made with Aperol, orange simple syrup, and club soda. An Aperol Spritz is similar but also includes prosecco. That makes an Aperol Spritz a higher-alcohol cocktail (compared to an Aperol Soda).
Aperol Soda ABV
Aperol is 11% ABV and is the only spirit used in this cocktail, making an Aperol Soda a lower-alcohol cocktail.
Storage
Since this recipe uses club soda, these cocktails are best made fresh and should not be made ahead of time (the soda will become flat). Enjoy making the drink as part of your cocktail experience!
Recipe FAQ
An Aperol Spritz includes prosecco, whereas an Aperol Soda only includes Aperol, club soda, and simple syrup.
Aperol has 11% ABV. It is the only spirit used in this recipe, which makes it a good lower-alcohol cocktail option.
I recommend using 2 oz. Aperol and 3 oz. club soda to make an Aperol Soda.
You can make your own orange simple syrup (I highly recommend it - it's easy and very flavorful), or you can buy orange simple syrup at many grocery and liquor stores.
Aperol Soda
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Aperol
- 3 ounces club soda
- 1 teaspoon orange simple syrup
- orange slice for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a lowball glass with ice. Add 1 teaspoon orange simple syrup*.
- Add 2 ounces Aperol to the glass, then top with 3 ounces club soda. Garnish with an orange slice and serve immediately.
Jessica Vogl says
This is the perfect spring or summer cocktail! I love that it's a lower-alcohol option and is so easy to make.