These Grapefruit Spritz Cocktails are perfect for a festive brunch. Prosecco, grapefruit and Aperol combine in this bubbly cocktail.
If you’re a fan of the traditional Aperol Spritz cocktail, you’re going to love this fun twist.
Much like with my Winter Aperol Spritz, I’m taking the traditional cocktail recipe and adding in a little twist. A twist of grapefruit in this case…
Rick and I got hooked on spritzes during our trip to Northern Italy a few years back. I’d account that to the fact that this isn’t an overly sweet cocktail. Instead, it’s got some integrity to it – a bit bitter, a bit herbaceous, and definitely easy to drink!
Psst… they’re low in alcohol too. Making them a perfect brunch cocktail.
Plus, they’re super simple to make.
Ingredient notes
- Grapefruit Juice – Fresh squeezed is best!
- Aperol – Or, if you like your cocktails more bitter than sweet, try swapping out the aperol for campari. They have similar flavor profiles, but campari is less sweet. Read about the differences between Campari and Aperol here.
- Prosecco – Prosecco is what gives this bubbly cocktail its great sparkle. Its fine, persistent bubbles carry with it notes of ripe peach, melon and apple, mingling perfectly with the grapefruit and aperol. You can also use cava, champagne, or any sparkling wine in place of prosecco.
How to garnish it
- To finish things off, I just added a simple slice of grapefruit zest. Be sure to squeeze it into your glass to release all those fragrant citrus oils into your delicious cocktail.
What to serve with them
In Italian tradition, Aperol cocktails are served as an aperitif. Aperitifs are designed to be served before lunch or dinner to excite one’s appetite.
I like to serve this grapefruit spritz with Italian or Mediterranean-style appetizers, like Olive Tapenade, Crostini Lasagna, Baked Goat Cheese Dip with Crostini, and Prosciutto Wrapped Avocado.
The orange flavor also makes this cocktail a wonderful substitute for mimosas or bellinis at brunch. Sip on the aperitif while enjoying Cream Scones, Ricotta Cake, eggs benedict, and Ricotta Toast.
More sparkling cocktail recipes
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Looking for ways to use up that bottle of Aperol? Try this Aperol Sour. Or, here are 25+ Aperol cocktail recipes to try!
Full Recipe
Grapefruit Spritz
Ingredients
- 2 ounces grapefruit juice
- 1/2 ounce aperol
- 2 ounces prosecco
- Grapefruit peel (for garnish)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a glass filled with ice and stir gently to combine. Divide between two champagne flutes. Enjoy!
Nutrition
This aperol grapefruit cocktail post was originally published in 2017. It was updated in 2022 to add new photographs, and again in 2023 to add new content. The original grapefruit spritz recipe remains the same. Enjoy!
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