Frozen Aperol Spritz with Strawberries
This frozen Aperol spritz is my new go-to summer cocktail. With Aperol, Prosecco, strawberries, orange, and lemon, it’s a refreshing and boozy cocktail that’s perfect for sipping on the patio! Serve with any of your favorite appetizers for a lovely, Italian-inspired apertivo situation.

When I was traveling around Italy, I drank innumerous amounts of Aperol spritzes to the point that I’m pretty sure the lining of my stomach is dyed a neon-orange sort of a color. After trekking through the hot, humid Italian summers, the only cure is an apertivo.
An apertivo is a pre-dinner drink, usually served with a light snack, that is meant to stimulate the appetite. Typically the drinks are something like an Aperol spritz or a Campari soda although a sour spaghett cocktail or a blood orange, bourbon, & Aperol cocktail would be a great choice too.
Participating in apertivo was a necessary part of my day while in Italy. And honestly, think about the entire concept of the apertivo. Drinking alcohol to get hungry again? Damn, I love the Italians.
Why you need this frozen cocktail
This cocktail is so good that I may even consider not complaining about summer until September 23 when this hellfire ends and I can start baking with cloves again. It’s a little piece of Italy but in Aperol slushie form!
I’ve been making this recipe for the last 6 years, and it’s always a welcome addition to pool days and BBQs. Cause honestly, what more could we ask for on a sweaty summer day than the sweet relief of a boozy blended cocktail? Here’s why you’ll love it!
- The cocktail is citrusy, refreshing, and fruity. The perfect drink for summer sipping!
- You can double or triple the recipe to serve a crowd.
- This cocktail can be made in advance so when your guests show up, all you have to do is pour!
- The spritz has strawberries for a little extra sweetness. SO GOOD with Aperol!
Ingredient list

- Aperol – the main star of the show. Aperol is an Italian apéritif (liqueur) with a bittersweet, citrusy, vanilla flavor.
- Orange juice – freshly squeezed orange juice isn’t common in Aperol spritzes, but I like adding it to this recipe to enhance the orange flavor!
- Lemon juice – a bit of fresh lemon juice will add a hint of tartness to offset the sweetness of the Prosecco.
- Frozen strawberries – these are also not common in traditional spritzes, but I just love how they taste with the Aperol and citrus!
- Prosecco – this is a sparkling white wine that comes from the Prosecco village in Trieste, Italy. It’s traditional in spritzes and adds a lovely crisp note to the drink. I like dry Prosecco so that the cocktail isn’t too sweet!
- Ice – normal spritzes have a splash of club soda, but I use regular ice in this frozen version to keep things nice and frothy.
- Simple syrup – depending on the sweetness of the strawberries, you may or may not need a splash. If you like sweeter cocktails, make sure to have simple syrup on hand!
- Garnishes – olives are a common garnish in Aperol spritzes but I also like to use fresh mint and orange slices! Do whatever brings you joy.
Substitutions & variations
If you want to switch things up or use ingredients you already have on hand, try these substitutions!
- Lemon juice – use lime juice or extra orange juice instead.
- Strawberries – try frozen mango, peaches, raspberries, or oranges. Leave out the fruit if you want more of a traditional spritz!
- Prosecco – you can also use dry champagne or sparkling rosé.
- Simple syrup – if the drink is too tart, add a bit of simple syrup to taste.
How to make this cocktail

- First, mix together the fresh orange juice and fresh lemon juice in a measuring cup.
- Pour the orange-lemon juice and Aperol into 2-3 ice cube trays. Cover with wrap or tinfoil.
- Freeze the juices and Aperol until solid, at least 4 hours or up to 1 week.

- Add the frozen juice and Aperol ice cubes to a blender.
- Then, add the frozen strawberries, Prosecco, and ice. Blend everything together until it’s smooth, about 30-60 seconds. Taste and add simple syrup if you want a sweeter cocktail.
- Pour into glasses and add another splash of Prosecco if you want. Garnish with olives, mint, or orange slices and enjoy!
Can I make this recipe without a blender?

Yes! When I originally developed this recipe, I was testing out an Aperol spritz granita and found that it’s super easy to make this spritz without a blender! Here’s how to make it:
- Use a potato masher to purée the strawberries until they’re very smooth. (Use fresh strawberries if you’re making granita). You can also leave out the fruit purée if you want a more traditional spritz!
- Next, combine the strawberry purée, Aperol, orange juice, lemon juice, and Prosecco in a bowl. Taste and add simple syrup if you want a sweeter cocktail. Pour the mixture into a shallow metal or glass pan.
- Freeze for 2 hours, and then scrape the mixture with a fork. Scrape the mixture every hour for another 3-4 hours, or until the mixture resembles shaved ice.
- Lastly, divide the granita between 4 glasses and top with more Prosecco, if desired. Garnish and enjoy!
Storing & make-ahead
Since this is a frozen cocktail, it’s best enjoyed right away. But, if you have leftovers, you can pour them into an airtight container and freeze for up to 1 month. To enjoy, just scoop the mixture into a blender, add a splash of Prosecco or club soda, and freeze until smooth! Since the alcohol keeps the mixture from freezing solid, you can also enjoy it with a spoon. It’s almost like an Aperol sorbet!
You can also make this spritz up to 1-2 hours in advance. Blend everything together and then store your blender in the freezer for up to 2 hours. When you’re ready to serve the spritzes, give the mixture a good stir. Then, pour the spritzes into glasses, garnish, and enjoy!
Serving ideas
To really get the complete aperitivo vibes, serve these strawberry Aperol spritzes with snacks! Here are some of my faves:
- Pretzels, snack mix, or potato chips (the best, in my humble opinion)
- Spicy Deviled Eggs with Crispy Shallots
- Fried Burrata with Roasted Peppers & Pesto
- Marinated White Beans
- Homemade Fruit & Nut Crisps
- Savory Palmiers with Parmesan & Everything Spice

Tips & tricks
- Cover the ice cube trays with wrap before freezing. This will keep the juice and Aperol from picking up any flavors from the freezer.
- Use dry Prosecco to keep the cocktail from being too sweet. If it’s too tart, you can always add simple syrup!
- For a more bitter cocktail, use a higher ratio of Aperol to Prosecco. For a sweeter Aperol spritz slushie, use more Prosecco than Aperol.
- This cocktail will make 4 generous servings. If you’re serving a large crowd, you can double or even triple the recipe!
Recipe FAQs
What is Aperol and what does it taste like?
Aperol is a sunset red-orange Italian apéritif (liqueur) made with gentian, rhubarb, cinchona, and other herbs and fruits. It’s bittersweet and aromatic with flavors of orange zest, vanilla, and rhubarb. Since its alcohol content is only 11%, it’s perfect for daytime sipping!
Does Aperol freeze?
Since Aperol has alcohol in it, it doesn’t freeze solid like water or juice. But, it will freeze enough to make this cocktail nice and slushy!
Can I make this cocktail less boozy?
Sure! If you want a less boozy cocktail, replace the Prosecco with club soda or more juice. You can also use less Aperol and Prosecco and replace some of it with more orange juice or club soda.

More summery cocktails
Spiked Strawberry Lemonade
Orange Dirty Shirley Cocktail
Rosé Sangria with Berries & Lemon
Strawberry Gin Smash with Basil
Watermelon Gin Fizz with Mint
Blueberry Lemon Vodka Spritz
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Strawberry Aperol Spritz Granita
Ingredients
- 8 ounces fresh orange juice (1 cup)
- 2 ounces fresh lemon juice (1/4 cup)
- 8 ounces Aperol (1 cup)
- 10 ounces frozen strawberries (2 cups)
- 12 ounces dry Prosecco (1 1/2 cups), plus more for serving
- 8 ounces ice (1 cup)
- Simple syrup, to taste (optional)
- Mint, olives, and/or orange slices, to garnish
Equipment
- Blender (optional)
Instructions
Blender Instructions
- In a glass measuring cup, combine the fresh orange juice and fresh lemon juice. Divide between 1-2 ice cube trays. Then, divide the Aperol between 1-2 ice cube trays. Cover the trays with plastic wrap or tinfoil to prevent the juice and Aperol from picking up other flavors in the freezer. Freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Once the juice and Aperol is frozen, release the cubes from the trays. Add the juice and Aperol ice cubes to a blender. Then, add the frozen strawberries, Prosecco, and ice. Blend until the mixture is smooth, 30-60 seconds. Taste, and add 1-2 Tablespoons of simple syrup if you want a sweeter cocktail.
- Divide the cocktail between 4 glasses. Top with a splash Prosecco, if desired. Garnish with mint, olives, and/or orange slices and enjoy immediately!
Granita Instructions (No Blender!)
- Use a potato masher to purée the strawberries until they're very smooth. (I recommend using a blender or food processor to purée the berries if you have one). You can also leave out the fruit for a more traditional spritz!
- Gently whisk the strawberry purée, Aperol, orange juice, lemon juice, and Prosecco in a medium bowl. Taste and add 1-2 Tablespoons of simple syrup if you'd like a sweeter cocktail. Pour the mixture into a metal half sheet pan or shallow glass baking dish (a pie plate works perfectly!).
- Freeze for 2 hours, and then scrape the mixture with a fork. Scrape the mixture every hour for another 3-4 hours, or until the mixture resembles shaved ice.
- Divide the mixture between 4 glasses and top with more Prosecco, if desired. Garnish with mint, olives, and/or orange slices. Enjoy!
Notes
xo Sara Lynn
*Song of the day: Without You by Strawberry Guy
This recipe was originally posted on August 8, 2019.
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