Apple Cider Aperol Spritz: The Cocktail That Defines Fall in a Glass

Ann Read
Nov 3
2 min read

Updated: Nov 4

There’s something magical about that first chill in the air — when the sunlight turns syrupy and the leaves go from green to gold. Suddenly, sweaters feel like hugs, playlists slow down, and every kitchen smells faintly of cinnamon.

Fall is the season of transition, a time when we trade in icy lemonades for something warmer, cozier, and a little bit more sophisticated. Enter the Apple Cider Aperol Spritz.

This drink is a love letter to the season — crisp apple cider meets the bittersweet orange glow of Aperol, finished with a generous pour of bubbles and a twist of citrus. It’s refreshing enough for those lingering warm afternoons but grounded in all the cozy notes that make fall feel like home. If a charcuterie board and a sunset could be bottled, it would taste exactly like this.

Why It Works

At first glance, you might not think Aperol and apple cider belong together. Aperol, with its sharp, citrusy bite, usually calls summer home — the hero of the classic Italian spritz, sipped poolside in the Amalfi sun. But when paired with crisp, spiced cider, it takes on an entirely new personality: warmer, earthier, and slightly mysterious. The Aperol’s bittersweet orange flavor beautifully offsets the natural sweetness of the cider, while the bubbles (whether you choose prosecco, sparkling wine, or even club soda) give it that celebratory sparkle that feels just right for fall gatherings.

The beauty of this cocktail is its balance — it’s not too sweet, not too heavy, and perfectly adaptable. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, a cozy bonfire night, or a quiet evening in with your favorite blanket and book, this spritz delivers the same joy every time.

Homemade Apple Cider

8-10 apples, your choice
1/2 orange
1/2 cup brown sugar
6 allspice berries
8 cloves
1 pod star anise
1 cinnamon stick
1 pod nutmeg
6 cardamom pods
8-10 cups water (1 cup for every apple used)

Apple Cider Spritz

1-1/2 ounces apple cider (homemade or store-bought)
1 ounce Aperol
3 ounces Prosecco
1-1/2 ounces soda water
1 apple slice (for garnish)
1 pod star anise (for garnish)

Make apple cider (if using homemade)

Wash, de-core, and quarter your apples, then add them to a large pot along with the quartered orange. Add brown sugar, allspice, cloves, star anise, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, cardamom pods, and water. Stir until combined, about 30 seconds.
Simmer the pot on low heat for four hours. Using a wooden spoon, crush the apples until the texture resembles applesauce.
Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve. Strain again, through cheesecloth over the fine-mesh sieve.
Refrigerate for up to one week.

Make Apple Cider Aperol Spritz