The Blood Orange Spritz reimagines the classic Italian aperitivo with the stunning color and complex flavor of blood oranges, creating a cocktail that’s as beautiful as it is refreshing. This sophisticated drink combines fresh blood orange juice with sparkling wine and a touch of bittersweet liqueur, resulting in a ruby-red cocktail that captures the essence of Italian drinking culture with a seasonal, modern twist. Originally inspired by the beloved Aperol Spritz that’s been a staple of Venetian happy hours since the 1950s, this blood orange variation takes advantage of the winter citrus season to create something equally festive but uniquely captivating. The natural sweetness and slight berry-like tartness of blood oranges pair beautifully with the bubbles and bitter notes, creating a balanced cocktail that’s perfect for brunch, aperitivo hour, or any celebration that calls for something special and eye-catching.
Serving: 1 cocktail (easily multiplied)
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Please Note: This recipe contains alcohol and is intended for adults 21+ only. Please drink responsibly.
Ingredients
For One Blood Orange Spritz:
- 3 oz Prosecco or other dry sparkling wine, chilled
- 2 oz fresh blood orange juice
- 1 oz Aperol or Campari
- 1 oz club soda or sparkling water
- Ice cubes
For Garnish:
- 1 blood orange slice
- Fresh rosemary sprig or thyme
- Green olives on a pick (optional, for savory version)
For a Pitcher (Serves 6-8):
- 1 bottle (750ml) Prosecco, chilled
- 1 1/2 cups fresh blood orange juice
- 3/4 cup Aperol or Campari
- 3/4 cup club soda
- Plenty of ice
- Blood orange slices and herbs for garnish
Instructions
Prepare Fresh Blood Orange Juice
Cut 2-3 blood oranges in half and juice them using a citrus juicer or reamer. Strain juice through a fine-mesh sieve to remove pulp and seeds. You should have about 2 ounces of fresh juice per cocktail. Fresh juice is essential for the best color and flavor.
Chill Your Glass
Fill a large wine glass or balloon glass with ice cubes and let it sit for a minute to chill. Alternatively, place the glass in the freezer for 5 minutes before making the drink. A cold glass keeps the cocktail refreshing longer.
Build the Cocktail
Remove any ice used for chilling the glass and add fresh ice cubes. Pour in the Aperol or Campari first, followed by the fresh blood orange juice. The order helps create beautiful color layers before mixing.
Add the Bubbles
Gently pour in the chilled Prosecco, allowing it to cascade over the ice and mix naturally with the other ingredients. Top with club soda for extra effervescence and to lighten the drink slightly.
Stir Gently
Using a bar spoon or regular spoon, give the drink one or two gentle stirs to combine the ingredients while preserving the bubbles. Don’t over-stir or you’ll lose the carbonation that makes a spritz so refreshing.
Garnish Beautifully
Add a slice of blood orange to the glass, either perched on the rim or floating in the drink. Tuck in a fresh herb sprig for aroma and visual appeal. For a savory twist, add green olives on a cocktail pick.
Serve Immediately
Serve the spritz right away while it’s cold and bubbly. The drink is best enjoyed fresh when the Prosecco is at its most effervescent.
For a Pitcher (Entertaining)
In a large pitcher, combine blood orange juice and Aperol. Just before serving, add Prosecco and club soda, stirring gently. Fill glasses with ice and pour the mixture over, garnishing each glass individually.
Nutritional Information
Per cocktail:
- Calories: 165
- Alcohol Content: Approximately 1.5 standard drinks
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Sugar: 14g
- Fat: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Vitamin C: 65% daily value
- Antioxidants: High from blood oranges
Helpful Tips
Blood Orange Season: Blood oranges are available from December through May, with peak season in January and February. Their distinctive ruby-red flesh and complex flavor make them worth seeking out, though regular oranges can substitute in a pinch.
Prosecco Selection: Choose a dry (brut) Prosecco for the best balance. Sweet Prosecco makes the drink too sugary. Cava or other dry sparkling wines work as substitutes if Prosecco isn’t available.
Aperol vs. Campari: Aperol creates a lighter, slightly sweeter spritz with beautiful coral-pink color. Campari is more bitter and intense, creating a deeper red drink. Try both to find your preference.
Juice Freshness: Fresh-squeezed blood orange juice is non-negotiable for the best color and flavor. The vibrant pigments fade quickly, so juice oranges right before making drinks.
Ice Quality: Use large, clean ice cubes that won’t dilute the drink too quickly. Avoid cloudy ice, which can make the beautiful color look murky.
Glass Selection: Traditional spritz glasses are large wine glasses or balloon glasses that allow room for ice and garnishes while showcasing the beautiful color. Avoid tall, narrow glasses.
Ratio Flexibility: The classic spritz ratio is 3-2-1 (Prosecco-juice-liqueur), but adjust to taste. More Prosecco makes it lighter and bubblier; more Aperol makes it sweeter and more bitter.
Make-Ahead Strategy: Juice blood oranges and store juice in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Mix individual drinks as needed to keep bubbles fresh.
Mocktail Version: For a non-alcoholic version, use sparkling water in place of Prosecco and a splash of non-alcoholic bitters or blood orange syrup in place of Aperol.
Serving Occasion: Blood Orange Spritz is perfect for brunch, as an aperitivo before dinner (the Italian way), or as a festive cocktail for winter and spring celebrations. The striking color makes it ideal for special occasions.
