Aperol Pear Cider Spritz Recipe

What a week it has been. I flew from my family’s tiny ‘storybook’ cabin in Pennsylvania to Boulder, Colorado on Tuesday for a two-day photo shoot with one of my favorite clients, Purely Elizabeth. I visit Boulder every few months to shoot seasonal content in batches. We pack a lot into those two days—planning, styling, and shooting—but it’s always fun. Elizabeth has a beautiful home and a bright, welcoming kitchen that makes styling and photographing food so easy.

I finally flew home last night after nearly a week away. I haven’t been gone this long since last year’s trip to Italy, and while I always feel anxious leaving work behind, it was worth it. Short trips with my dad and grandpa are special—simple and restorative in a way that feels youthful and freeing, even as an adult.

To celebrate a great week away, here’s a cocktail that makes saying goodbye to summer a little easier and welcomes fall in style. I’m a summer person at heart—I love sundresses and long, warm evenings—and I’m a big fan of Aperol Spritzes. With a half-full bottle of Aperol in my bar, I wanted a version of the spritz that felt autumnal. Meet the Aperol Pear Cider Spritz: a crisp, slightly sweet, and herb-scented fall twist on the classic spritz. I hope you love it as much as I do.

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce Aperol
• Hard pear cider, to fill
• A splash of apple juice
• Ice (crushed or cubed)
• Pear slices, for garnish
• Rosemary sprigs, for garnish

This cocktail follows the same simple formula as a classic Aperol Spritz, but replaces prosecco with hard pear cider and uses a splash of apple juice in place of sparkling water. The result is a bright, lightly effervescent drink with autumn fruit notes and a hint of herb from the rosemary garnish. It’s an especially pretty cocktail for a fall gathering—think Friendsgiving or a cozy weekend brunch.

Aperol Pear Cider Spritz — Instructions

Aperol Pear Cider Spritz

Prep: 5 mins  |  Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 1 ounce Aperol
• Hard pear cider, to fill the glass
• Splash of apple juice
• Ice
• Pear slices and rosemary sprig, for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a wine glass or lowball glass with crushed ice.
2. Pour in 1 ounce of Aperol.
3. Top the glass with hard pear cider, leaving a little room.
4. Add a splash of apple juice for sweetness and depth.
5. Garnish with a pear slice and a sprig of rosemary. Serve immediately.

Notes

You can swap the pear cider for any favorite fall cider—apple, spiced pear, or mixed-fruit ciders work well. Adjust the Aperol and apple juice to taste if you prefer a sweeter or more bitter cocktail.