Blood Orange Aperol Spritz Mocktail

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This Blood Orange Aperol Spritz Mocktail is a bright drink that captures the citrus flavor of the classic cocktail without any of the alcohol. Perfect for brunch, summer gatherings, or holidays.

An aperol spritz mocktail garnished with a blood orange wedge and orang and white striped straw.

"But Elizabeth, you can't have an Aperol spritz without the Aperol!"

I know! The goal with a mocktail isn't always to be a perfect 1:1 alcohol free substitute of the original version. Plenty of store bought drinks with natural flavors do that.

Usually my goal with mocktails is to create a drink that has a similar flavor to the original, and also captures the vibes of the cocktail.

I often say that presentation - glassware, garnishes, etc. - is very important with mocktails. Because the reason you choose a mocktail over any other soda or juice is because of the vibes.

SO, no, there is no Aperol, but I think that this blood orange Aperol spritz mocktail captures the vibes of the cocktail perfectly!

Jump to:

What is an Aperol Spritz?
Why this mocktail works
Why You'll Love This Blood Orange Aperol Spritz Mocktail
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Step-By-Step Instructions
FAQ & Expert Tips
Recipe Prayer
Related Recipes
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The orange and cranberry juice mixture being strained through a cocktail shaker into a glass.

What is an Aperol Spritz?

An Aperol Spritz is a classic Italian cocktail known for its bright orange color and bittersweet citrus flavor. It's traditionally made with Aperol, prosecco, and sparkling water, then served over ice with an orange slice.

Aperol itself is an Italian aperitif liqueur made with bitter orange, herbs, and roots. It has a distinctive balance of sweet citrus and gentle bitterness, which is what gives the drink its signature flavor.

Why this mocktail works

My mocktail version uses orange juice for the orange flavor. Specifically, blood oranges, if you can find them!

I use cranberry juice to add a bit of bitterness and mimic some of the bite you get with alcohol.

Top off with sparkling water, just like the original version!

And of course, the garnishes and glassware is what makes the drink! Serve in a wine glass and add an orange wedge for all the vibes!

A top-down view of several aperol spritz mocktails.

Why You'll Love This Blood Orange Aperol Spritz Mocktail

Alcohol-Free - All the spritz vibes without the booze
Citrusy & Refreshing - Bright blood orange and cranberry flavors
Easy to Make - Just three simple ingredients
Beautiful Color - That classic orange-red spritz look
Dietary needs - this drink is of course alcohol free, it's also vegan, gluten free, and refined sugar free

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Blood Orange Juice: I recommend blood orange juice because it has a deeper flavor than regular orange juice. But if you can't find blood oranges, regular orange juice works too. Since there are only a few ingredients in the mocktail, fresh juice is best. Grab a citrus reamer and get juicing!
Unsweetened Cranberry Juice: look for an unsweetened cranberry juice for best flavor
Club Soda or Sparkling Water
Fresh orange slice or twist
Ice

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1. In a glass or cocktail shaker mix the orange juice and cranberry juice

Aperol spritz mocktail step 1 - mix the orange juice and cranberry juice

Step 2. Add ice to your glass and pour the orange juice mixture over the ice.

Aperol spritz mocktail step 2 - pour over ice

Step 3. Top with club soda.

Aperol spritz mocktail step 3 - top with sparkling water

Step 4. Garnish with an orange twist or orange wedge.

Aperol spritz mocktail step 4 - garnish with an orange wedge or twist, and a straw if desired

FAQ & Expert Tips

What can I use instead of blood orange juice?

Regular orange juice is your best sub! Grapefruit juice can also work.

Make more for a crowd

Feel free to combine a larger amount of orange juice and cranberry juice together in a pitcher. Let guests top their own glasses with sparkling water.

What garnish works best?

Orange slices or wedges are great! You can also create a citrus twist.

How to make a citrus twist

Orange twists are really fun and make your mocktails feel extra classy! They are also SUPER easy to make.
Grab an orange (before you juice it) and a vegetable peeler or pairing knife. Carefully peel a strip of skin off the orange, leaving as much of the white pith on the lemon as possible.
If you want, slice that strip of orange into a more even rectangular shape.
Twist the rectangle into a tight spiral and hold for about 10 seconds. Then release.
A perfect twist!

Recipe Prayer

Thank you God for this mocktail. Thank you for alcohol-free drinks that we can enjoy. Amen.

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