Strawberry-Basil Aperol Spritz

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant, refreshing cocktail with ripe strawberries and fragrant basil, balanced by Aperol's bittersweet notes and Prosecco's effervescence. This recipe, ready in about 10 minutes, brings together Fresh strawberries, Sugar, Fresh basil for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Serves 1 Cocktails & Drinks cuisine 180 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Small appliances → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a shaker, combine 1 cup fresh strawberries, 1 tbsp sugar, and 2 fresh basil leaves. Muddle vigorously for 2 minutes until strawberries are crushed and basil releases its aroma.
  2. Step 2: Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a glass, pressing with a spoon to extract all liquid. Measure out 1 oz of the strawberry-basil puree and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Fill a wine glass with ice cubes. Add 3 oz Prosecco and 2 oz Aperol, then stir gently for 15 seconds to combine.
  4. Step 4: Pour the reserved 1 oz strawberry-basil puree over the drink and swirl once to blend without overmixing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Strawberry-Basil Aperol Spritz take to make?

Total time is about 10 minutes (10 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.

How do I store leftover Strawberry-Basil Aperol Spritz?

Refrigerate any leftover strawberry-basil aperol spritz in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.

Can I substitute ingredients in Strawberry-Basil Aperol Spritz?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Strawberry-Basil Aperol Spritz for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Strawberry-Basil Aperol Spritz?

Cocktails & Drinks cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes