Cranberry Aperol Spritz is a holiday-inspired variation of the beloved Italian aperitivo that combines the bitter-orange flavor of Aperol with tart cranberry juice and sparkling prosecco. This gorgeous cocktail features a stunning ruby-red color that’s perfect for the holiday season, while maintaining the refreshing, effervescent quality that makes the original spritz so popular. The addition of cranberry juice adds seasonal flair and a touch of tartness that beautifully complements Aperol’s citrusy bitterness, while the prosecco bubbles keep everything light and celebratory. Easy to make and endlessly drinkable, this spritz is perfect for holiday brunches, Christmas parties, or simply unwinding after a long day of shopping or decorating. It’s sophisticated yet approachable, festive yet not overly sweet, and guaranteed to put everyone in a celebratory mood.
Serving Quantity: 2 cocktails
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces Aperol
- 4 ounces prosecco (chilled)
- 2 ounces cranberry juice (unsweetened or lightly sweetened)
- 2 ounces club soda
- Ice cubes
- Fresh cranberries (for garnish)
- Orange slices (for garnish)
- Fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish)
- Sugared cranberries (optional, for extra festivity)
Nutrition Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 185
- Protein: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fat: 0g
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fiber: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
1. Chill Your Glasses
Place two large wine glasses, stemless wine glasses, or highball glasses in the freezer for about 10 minutes before making the cocktails. Cold glasses keep the spritz perfectly chilled and the bubbles lively for longer. If you don’t have time to chill the glasses, you can fill them with ice water while you prepare the ingredients, then dump out the water and dry the glasses before building the drinks. The traditional glass for a spritz is a large wine glass, which shows off the beautiful color and allows room for plenty of ice and garnishes.
2. Prepare the Garnishes
Slice a fresh orange into thin rounds, about a quarter inch thick. You’ll need one slice per cocktail. If you want to make sugared cranberries for an extra festive touch, roll fresh cranberries in simple syrup, then in granulated sugar, and let them dry on parchment paper for about an hour before using. Regular fresh cranberries work beautifully too. Rinse fresh rosemary sprigs and pat them dry. Choose nice full sprigs that will look attractive in the glass. Having all your garnishes ready before you start mixing makes assembly quick and seamless.
3. Fill Glasses with Ice
Remove your chilled glasses from the freezer. Fill each glass with ice cubes, adding enough to come nearly to the top. Large ice cubes are ideal as they melt more slowly and won’t dilute your spritz as quickly. The generous amount of ice keeps everything cold and creates that classic spritz appearance. Make sure you’re using fresh, clean-tasting ice. Old freezer ice can have off-flavors that will affect your cocktail.
4. Add Aperol and Cranberry Juice
Pour 2 ounces of Aperol into each ice-filled glass. The bright orange liqueur should settle around the ice. Follow with 1 ounce of cranberry juice per glass. The cranberry juice will blend with the Aperol, creating a beautiful gradient of orange to red. Don’t stir yet. The layered colors at this stage look beautiful and will naturally mix as you add the sparkling components. Aperol is the key ingredient that gives this spritz its characteristic bitter-orange flavor and gorgeous color.
5. Add Prosecco
Slowly pour 2 ounces of chilled prosecco into each glass, pouring down the side to preserve the bubbles. The prosecco should be very cold for the best flavor and effervescence. Pour gently as the bubbles will want to foam up. The prosecco adds lightness, elegance, and that signature spritz sparkle. It should blend with the Aperol and cranberry juice naturally as it’s poured, creating a beautiful ruby-orange color throughout the drink.
6. Top with Club Soda
Add 1 ounce of club soda to each glass, again pouring gently down the side to maintain maximum bubbles. The club soda lengthens the drink, adds extra effervescence, and makes it more refreshing and less sweet. Some people prefer their spritz with more or less club soda, so feel free to adjust to your taste. More club soda makes a lighter, more refreshing drink while less keeps it more concentrated and flavorful. Give each drink a very gentle stir with a bar spoon or straw just to incorporate all the layers.
7. Garnish and Serve
Add the garnishes to make your Cranberry Aperol Spritz beautiful and festive. Slide an orange slice down into each glass along the side so it’s visible. Add a small handful of fresh cranberries, letting them float on top or sink into the ice. Tuck a rosemary sprig into the glass, letting it stand tall like a little Christmas tree. If using sugared cranberries, arrange them on top for extra sparkle. Serve immediately with a straw or stirrer. The drink should be enjoyed while cold and bubbly.
Tips for Perfect Cranberry Aperol Spritz
Use a good quality prosecco, but it doesn’t need to be expensive. Dry or extra dry prosecco works best as it’s not too sweet and balances the Aperol and cranberry nicely.
The traditional Aperol Spritz ratio is 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, 1 part soda. This cranberry version adjusts those proportions to incorporate the cranberry juice while maintaining balance.
Unsweetened or lightly sweetened cranberry juice works best. Cranberry cocktail is too sweet and will make the drink cloying. Pure cranberry juice can be used but may need a touch of simple syrup.
Make these in batches for parties by multiplying the recipe and combining Aperol and cranberry juice in a pitcher. Add prosecco and club soda to individual glasses as guests arrive to keep them bubbly.
Campari can substitute for Aperol if you prefer a more bitter, less sweet spritz. Use slightly less Campari as it’s more intense. The result will be more sophisticated and less beginner-friendly.
Fresh cranberry juice, if you can find it or make it, elevates this cocktail significantly. It has a brighter, fresher flavor than bottled juice.
For a sweeter version, add a splash of simple syrup or use sweetened cranberry juice. For a drier spritz, use unsweetened cranberry juice and extra club soda.
The spritz is meant to be light and refreshing, not strong. If you want a boozier version, add an ounce of vodka or gin to each glass.
Frozen cranberries can be used as decorative ice cubes that won’t dilute the drink. They look stunning and keep the cocktail festive as they slowly release color.
Make it alcohol-free by replacing Aperol with a non-alcoholic aperitif like Lyre’s Italian Orange and using sparkling white grape juice instead of prosecco.
The classic Aperol Spritz is typically served in a large wine glass or goblet, but any glass works. The larger the glass, the more ice and garnishes you can add.
Add a squeeze of fresh orange juice along with the cranberry for extra citrus brightness. This makes the drink more fruit-forward and refreshing.
For a spiced version, add a cinnamon stick as a garnish and a pinch of ground cinnamon to the cranberry juice before mixing.
These spritzes pair wonderfully with salty snacks, cheese and charcuterie boards, or light appetizers. The bitterness and bubbles cleanse the palate.
Aperol is lower in alcohol than many spirits at just 11 percent, making this a relatively light cocktail perfect for day drinking or extended celebrations.
Make cranberry ice cubes by freezing cranberry juice in ice cube trays. Use these instead of regular ice to keep the drink from getting diluted while maintaining color and flavor.
Fresh pomegranate seeds can replace or supplement the cranberries for a different but equally festive garnish with slight flavor variation.
The rosemary isn’t just decorative. Slap it gently before adding to release aromatic oils that add a subtle herbal note to the drink.
Leftover Aperol keeps indefinitely at room temperature. It’s wonderful in many cocktails or simply mixed with tonic water for a quick, easy drink.
Serve these at brunch with a light breakfast or lunch. They’re perfect for holiday morning gatherings and less heavy than traditional cocktails.
