Everyone loves an Aperol spritz, but this Aperol Spritz Bar is the perfect way to appease all of your guests and let them have a hand in creating their perfect cocktail! Make a beautiful presentation of the ingredients, set out a recipe card, and let your guests go to town by mixing their preferred proportions and garnishes. This is the perfect way to serve drinks at a summer party!
Why You’ll Love Making an Aperol Spritz Bar
You won’t be playing bartender this summer! With today’s easy Aperol spritz bar, you can take all the pressure off yourself and let your guests mix their ideal beverages. Some like it extra bitter, some like it sweet, and some just want a dash of soda water! Your bar display will allow everyone to mix a drink they adore.
There are only three parts to the drink itself, so get those chilling in an ice bucket and then put together a cute garnish buffet! Place fresh orange slices, berries, olives, herbs, and more in small bowls and let everyone add as much or as little as they’d like.
This easy DIY spritz bar is going to give your guests an experience to remember!
More Aperol Based Recipes
Ingredients
The ingredients for this recipe are simple, you’ll just need higher quantities for your bar. Keep that in mind, especially when shopping for your garnishes. All of the measurements are in the recipe card below!
- Aperol
- Prosecco
- Pellegrino (or soda water)
- Garnish: Orange slices, berries, green olives, cucumber ribbons, herbs
Bar Supplies
In addition to your drink ingredients, you’ll need a few supplies to set up the bar for your guests. You’ll probably have everything in your kitchen already, but here’s a list to make your party preparation easier:
- Ice bucket full of ice – for the drinks
- Ice tub full of ice – for chilling bottles
- Large wine glasses
- Cocktail pics
- Jigger
How to Make an Aperol Spritz Bar
Step 1: Chill
Add the bottles of prosecco, Pellegrino, and Aperol to a large ice tub to chill them. Fill the tub 3/4 of the way with ice.
Step 2: Prepare Garnishes
While the bottles are chilling, prepare the garnishes. Add the orange slices, berries, green olives, cucumber ribbons, and herbs to their own bowls. Add small tongs or spoons to each bowl.
Step 3: Set up the Bar
Place 8 large wine glasses and the bowls/garnishes next to the beverage tub.
Step 4: Add Ice
Add a large ice bucket filled with ice and a scooper for the drinks. Serve them with a small cup of cocktail pics for garnishes, and a jigger to pour aperol into the glasses.
Step 5: Recipe Presentation
If you want to be extra cute, make a small framed card with the ingredients listed to make 1 standard Aperol spritz so your guests have general measurements to follow.
- 1-2 oz Aperol
- Fill the glass with ice
- Fill ¾ of the way with prosecco
- Top with Pellegrino
- Garnish as you like and enjoy!
FAQs
What kind of liquor is Aperol?
Aperol is a bitter aperitif/liqueur that is made with botanicals. The bittersweet flavors stimulate the appetite which makes it a perfect pre-dinner drink.
What kind of prosecco should I use?
Use your favorite prosecco! If you want to cut the bitterness of the Aperol, choose a sweeter prosecco, but if you don’t mind your spritz being a little on the dry side then your options are endless.
What other kinds of bars can I set up for a party?
If an Aperol spritz isn’t your thing, set up a crush bar – especially in the summer. Serve orange, lemon, and grapefruit juices along with slices of the fruit as garnish. You can also set up a bar for Corona sunrises. You can have a section for the beer, the cocktail portion, and the garnishes so guests can enjoy each party individually or put them together for a beer cocktail mix. Another option is a martini bar with gin, vodka, vermouth, olives, and lemon twists. Each martini will be unique in its own way!
Summer of Spritz Recipes
Check out a few of our summer spritz recipes that would make a great addition to your bar!
If you put together this Aperol Spritz Bar for your next party, be sure to tag me on Pinterest and Instagram!
I seriously love seeing what you guys are making and sharing your creations with the College Housewife community!
Aperol Spritz Bar
ingredients
- 1-2 bottles of aperol
- 4-6 bottles of prosecco
- 1-2 bottles pellegrino or soda water
- 1 bowl of orange slices
- 1 bowl of berries
- 1 bowl of green olives
- 1 bowl cucumber ribbons
- 1 bowl herbs
Supplies:
- Ice bucket full of ice
- Ice tub full of ice – for bottles
- 8 large wine glasses
- Cocktail pics
- Jigger
instructions
- Add bottles of prosecco, pellegrino and aperol to a large ice tub. Fill 3-4 of the way with ice.
- While bottles are chilling, prepare garnishes. Add orange slices, berries, green olives, cucumber ribbons and herbs to their own bowls. Add small tongs or spoons to each bowl.
- Place 8 large wine glasses and the bowls or garnishes next to the beverage tub.
- Add a large ice bucket filled with ice and a scooper for drinks. Serve with a small cup of cocktail pics for garnishes and a jigger to pour aperol into the glasses.
If desired make a small framed card with the ingredients listed to make 1 standard aperol spritz for your guests to follow:
- 1-2 oz aperol
- Fill glass with ice
- Fill ¾ of the way with prosecco
- Top with Pellegrino
- Garnish as you like!
notes
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