Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this cocktail because I get the best parts of an Aperol spritz and a mimosa in one glass. Fresh orange juice brings juicy citrus sweetness, Aperol adds its distinctive bittersweet orange flavor, and Prosecco gives me plenty of refreshing bubbles.
I also appreciate how easy these mimosas are to prepare. I don’t need a cocktail shaker or any complicated techniques, and I can assemble each glass in just a few minutes.
They’re especially convenient when I’m hosting brunch because I can chill everything beforehand and quickly pour the drinks as my guests are ready for them.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Aperol
- Prosecco, well chilled
- Fresh orange juice
- Soda water, optional
- Ice, optional
- Fresh orange slices, for garnish
I prefer freshly squeezed orange juice because it gives my mimosas a brighter citrus flavor. I also keep my Aperol, Prosecco, and juice thoroughly chilled so the finished cocktail stays refreshing without needing much ice.
Directions
- I chill my wine glasses or champagne flutes before assembling the drinks.
- I pour fresh orange juice into each glass.
- I add the Aperol and gently swirl the glass to combine it with the juice.
- I slowly top the mixture with chilled Prosecco. I pour carefully because the sparkling wine can foam quickly.
- If I want a lighter, more traditional spritz-style finish, I add a small splash of soda water.
- I give the cocktail one very gentle stir so I don’t lose too many bubbles.
- I garnish each glass with a fresh orange slice.
- I serve my Aperol spritz mimosas immediately while they’re cold and sparkling.
Servings and Timing
I usually make this recipe for about 6 drinks, making it convenient for a small brunch or gathering. I can easily scale the quantities up or down depending on how many glasses I want to serve.
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Mixing time: 5 minutes
- Total time: about 15 minutes
- Servings: approximately 6
- Yield: about 6 cocktails
Variations
For a sweeter mimosa, I increase the orange juice slightly. When I want more of Aperol’s bittersweet flavor, I increase the Aperol and reduce the juice.
For a lighter spritz, I add a generous splash of soda water to each glass. I find this particularly refreshing when I serve the drinks over ice.
I can replace regular orange juice with blood orange juice for a deeper color and a slightly different citrus flavor.
For a grapefruit variation, I replace some of the orange juice with fresh grapefruit juice. I love how its tartness complements the bitterness of Aperol.
When I want a frozen version, I freeze orange juice in ice cube trays and add the cubes to my glasses. They keep my drinks cold while adding flavor instead of watering them down.
Storage/Reheating
I get the best results when I assemble and serve Aperol spritz mimosas immediately because Prosecco begins losing its carbonation after opening.
I can squeeze my orange juice ahead of time and keep it covered in the refrigerator until I’m ready to serve. I also chill the Aperol and Prosecco in advance.
If I’m serving a crowd, I can combine the Aperol and orange juice shortly before the gathering and refrigerate the mixture. I add the Prosecco only when serving so I preserve as many bubbles as possible.
I don’t store or reheat an assembled Aperol spritz mimosa. I always serve this cocktail cold and freshly poured.
FAQs
What is an Aperol spritz mimosa?
I make an Aperol spritz mimosa by combining elements of a classic mimosa and an Aperol spritz. I use fresh orange juice and sparkling wine from the mimosa and add Aperol for its bittersweet citrus flavor.
What sparkling wine should I use?
I usually choose a dry Prosecco because its crisp bubbles and subtle fruitiness work well with both Aperol and orange juice. I can also use another dry sparkling wine if that’s what I have available.
Can I make Aperol spritz mimosas ahead of time?
I prepare the orange juice and Aperol mixture ahead if necessary, but I wait to add my Prosecco until serving. This prevents the sparkling wine from going flat.
Do I need to serve Aperol spritz mimosas over ice?
No. When all my ingredients and glasses are thoroughly chilled, I can serve the cocktail without ice in a champagne flute. When I want more of a traditional spritz experience, I serve it in a wine glass over ice.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version?
Yes. For an alcohol-free variation, I use a non-alcoholic bitter orange aperitif in place of Aperol and alcohol-free sparkling wine instead of Prosecco. I keep the fresh orange juice and optional soda water for the same refreshing citrus character.
Conclusion
Aperol spritz mimosas give me an easy way to bring something colorful and refreshing to brunch. I love how fresh orange juice softens Aperol’s bittersweet citrus flavor while chilled Prosecco keeps everything crisp and bubbly. With minimal preparation and no cocktail shaker required, I can serve this vibrant drink for brunches, celebrations, summer gatherings, or any occasion that calls for a sparkling cocktail.
PrintAperol Spritz Mimosas Recipe
Aperol spritz mimosas combine fresh orange juice, bittersweet Aperol, and chilled Prosecco for a vibrant, bubbly brunch cocktail. They are citrusy, refreshing, lightly bitter, and easy to prepare for gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: About 15 minutes
- Yield: About 6 cocktails
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- Aperol
- Prosecco, well chilled
- Fresh orange juice
- Soda water, optional
- Ice, optional
- Fresh orange slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Chill the wine glasses or champagne flutes before assembling the cocktails.
- Pour fresh orange juice into each glass.
- Add the Aperol and gently swirl the glass to combine it with the orange juice.
- Slowly top each glass with chilled Prosecco, pouring carefully to control the foam.
- Add a small splash of soda water if a lighter, more traditional spritz-style finish is desired.
- Give each cocktail one very gentle stir to combine without losing too much carbonation.
- Garnish each glass with a fresh orange slice.
- Serve immediately while cold and sparkling.
Notes
- Freshly squeezed orange juice provides the brightest citrus flavor.
- Keep the Aperol, Prosecco, orange juice, and serving glasses thoroughly chilled to minimize the need for ice.
- For a sweeter mimosa, increase the orange juice. For more bittersweet Aperol flavor, increase the Aperol and reduce the juice.
- Add extra soda water for a lighter and more refreshing spritz.
- Blood orange juice can replace regular orange juice for deeper color and a slightly different citrus flavor.
- Replace some of the orange juice with fresh grapefruit juice for a tarter variation.
- Freeze orange juice in ice cube trays for flavorful ice that keeps the cocktails cold without watering them down.
- For an alcohol-free version, use a non-alcoholic bitter orange aperitif and alcohol-free sparkling wine.
- The Aperol and orange juice can be combined and refrigerated shortly before serving a crowd.
- Always add the Prosecco immediately before serving to preserve its carbonation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cocktail
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg