how to make an aperol spritz

How to make an Aperol Spritz

A Spritz is a classic Venetian drink that is made with either Campari or Aperol. I prefer the latter as its slightly less bitter and has a lovely citrusy flavour note. You can make it with either white wine or a sparkling wine like Prosecco. It’s not necessary to use Champagne or Cap Classique here as it would be overkill, but I definitely like the fizzy aspect. You then top it up with a good splash of soda water and garnish is with a slice of lemon. In Italy, they sometimes add a large green olive (or two)– drained of its brine. I’m assured that this is utterly delicious and I wish I had added them here. It’s the perfect drink for summer.

how to make an Aperol Spritz

How to make an Aperol Spritz

How to make an Aperol Spriyz, a classic Venetian drink

Emma Freddi introduced me to this lovely aperitif a few weeks ago when I attended a pasta-making class at her home in Constantia. It was the perfect way to kick off a glorious afternoon of pasta making and eating.

Emma Freddi teaching a pasta making class at Enrica Rocca

Emma Freddi teaching a pasta making class at Enrica Rocca

I have written about Emma’s cooking classes before, and you can find her recipe for a delicious crostini with pork sausage here. Emma teaches authentic Italian cookery under the banner of Enrica Rocca and has just introduced an intensive pasta making class on the first Saturday of the month.

Emma Freddi teaching a pasta making class at Enrica Rocca

We learned how to make basic pasta dough and used it in 3 filled pasta recipes. My favourite was the large egg yolk and spinach ravioli which looks very tricky but is actually super easy to do. Not to mention outrageously delicious.

Emma Freddi teaching a pasta making class at Enrica Rocca

Emma Freddi teaching a pasta making class at Enrica Rocca

Emma Freddi teaching a pasta making class at Enrica Rocca

Emma Freddi teaching a pasta making class at Enrica Rocca

egg yolk ravioli

We cut smaller ravioli using the spinach filling and even learned how to make labour intensive but super tasty tortellini. At Emma’s classes, she does the demonstrating but you get a chance to get involved and feel like you are a part of the process without the hard labour. I Just love all the advice and tips along the way. It’s pretty much one of my favourite things to do. To cook, drink wine and talk about food to such a passionate person.

Emma Freddi teaching a pasta making class at Enrica Rocca

making ravioli with Emma Freddi

Emma Freddi teaching a pasta making class at Enrica Rocca

Emma Freddi teaching a pasta making class at Enrica Rocca

Emma Freddi teaching a pasta making class at Enrica Rocca

We learned how to make gnocchi and Emma divulged a few top tips on how to get it light and fluffy. All the dishes were served with a sauce which we made on the day too. Crispy sage butter, luscious tomato and a decedent creamy Gorgonzola for the gnocchi. Yum!

making gnocchi with Emma Fredd

sage butter sauce

Emma Freddi teaching a pasta making class at Enrica Rocca

Emma Freddi teaching a pasta making class at Enrica Rocca

Aperol Spritz

When it comes to buying speciality ingredients I always default to my favourite deli – Giovanni’s. This is where I bought my Aperol.

Recipe for Aperol Spritz (for one)

  • Ice
  • 50ml Aperol
  • 75ml sparkling dry white wine
  • splash of soda
  • slice of lemon

Fill a large glass with ice and add the sparkling wine. Top it with the Aperol and good splash of soda, finishing it off with a slice of lemon. You could, of course, mix it any way you prefer. Emma starts with 2 fingers of Aperol and then adds the wine than the soda and lemon.

Aperol Spritz

Emma’s regular classes are 4 hours long and she prepares 4 courses. A starter course, pasta or risotto, a main with either meat or fish and a dessert. You eat all the food that is made while sipping wine throughout the class.

Classes are on Tuesday evening from 6 pm, Friday afternoons from noon and then her pasta class on the first Saturday of the month. She offers a wine pairing class from 6 pm on the last Saturday of the month too.

Emma Freddi teaching a pasta making class at Enrica Rocca

ravioli with crispy sage and butter

I look forward to connecting with you again in the future.

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8 Comments

  1. How much fun that must have been!!!

  2. thanks for that lovely posting!
    I was kind of smiling to see someone being excited about Aperol – here in Austria it was and still is the fancy summer evening drink 🙂 Unexpectedly, Austria became one of the Top 3 Aperol drinking nations in the world.. hmmmm….

    And what a wonderful, elaborate fotoshooting you did during the pasta making process, I love it!

  3. I have never tried aperol before, thanks for drawing my attention to the product.. it’s definitely one I will be keeping my eyes peeled for. That pasta making class looks really awesome too! Great photos!

  4. Thanks Thalia, it was my forst time too and Im smitten x

  5. Thanks Julz, I did not know that about Austria. However I do know Austrians like a LOT of fun so this makes perfect sense.

    S x

  6. I tried my first Aperol Spritz just a couple of months ago in Italy. It was and still is a love hate relationship. But you quickly learn that in Venice a cocktail or other fancy drink is very expensive, how ever if you do as the locals do, make your way to a little back street, find a little cafe/bar, order one of these drinks, and then sit and absorb your surroundings. You will even have some spare Euros for a scoop of gelato if you so fancy.

  7. I was so sad I could not see the recipes on here for the above recipes..just the drink..but it all looks so delicious..thank you for sharing..:)

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