By Laurel Perry
Published Dec 3, 2025
Take your favorite summer cocktail straight into Fall with this cranberry Aperol spritz. The tart cranberry juice blends with Aperol, Prosecco, and a splash of sparkling water for a crisp, lightly sweet drink that feels refreshing but still seasonal. Fresh cranberries, orange slices, and rosemary give it an easy festive touch, making it perfect for holiday parties, Thanksgiving toasts, or a simple weekend drink when you want something bright and bubbly.
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My summer drink of choice is a classic Aperol spritz because it has that perfect mix of tart, sweet, and refreshing. I’ll admit I keep making them even when the weather starts to chill, so this cranberry Aperol spritz has become my favorite cold-weather twist. The cranberry adds a seasonal pop without losing the light, bubbly feel I love, and it makes the drink feel just right for fall gatherings and holiday celebrations.
Tips for Beginners
- Use crushed ice instead of ice cubes . It melts a little faster and helps mellow the bitterness of the Aperol. If you prefer a stronger, less diluted spritz, stick with ice cubes.
- Chill the Prosecco well. You want cold prosecco so every sip stays bubbly, crisp, and refreshing. Warm Prosecco will lose its fizz much faster.
- Taste as you go and adjust the balance to your liking. Add extra cranberry juice or a splash of simple syrup if you want more sweetness, or stir in a little orange juice if it tastes too bitter. If the drink leans too sweet, simply add more sparkling water to lighten it.
- Add the Prosecco at the end. Pour slowly and add at the end. This keeps the bubbles lively and prevents the drink from going flat before you even take the first sip.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 3 oz. Aperol
- ▢ 1½ oz. cranberry juice cocktail
- ▢ 3 oz. Prosecco
- ▢ splash sparkling water
- ▢ orange wedges cranberries, and rosemary to garnish
Video
Instructions
- Fill a wine glass halfway with crushed ice.
- Pour in the Aperol, cranberry juice, Prosecco, and sparkling water. Stir to combine. 3 oz. Aperol, 1½ oz. cranberry juice cocktail, 3 oz. Prosecco, splash sparkling water
- Garnish with an orange wedge, fresh cranberries, and a sprig of rosemary. orange wedges
Becky’s Tips
- This cocktail is best served as a single serving . I don’t suggest batching it, because the prosecco will lose its bubbles.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Cranberry Aperol Spritz Step by Step
Gather all the ingredients together.
Fill a glass with ice: Fill a wine glass halfway with crushed ice.
Mix the cocktail: Pour 3 oz. Aperol, 1½ oz. cranberry juice cocktail, and 3 oz. Prosecco over the ice, then add a splash of sparkling water and stir gently to combine.
Garish and serve: Garnish with an orange wedge, a few fresh cranberries, and a sprig of rosemary.
Recipe Variations
- Sparkling water swaps: Use club soda for a cleaner taste or tonic water for a sweeter, more citrus-forward spritz.
- Cranberry juice options: Use cranberry cocktail for a sweeter drink or 100 percent cranberry juice for a tart, less sugary version.
- Prosecco alternatives: Swap in Cava or any dry sparkling wine if you don’t have Prosecco.
- Aperol variations: Try Campari for a more bitter, deeper-flavored spritz.
- Garnish variations: Use blood orange slices, pomegranate arils, or thyme sprigs for a different seasonal look.
Serving Suggestions
I love starting off a holiday party with a cranberry Aperol spritz and some delicious festive appetizers. Have this bubbly cocktail in hand while snacking on bacon wrapped scallops and a holiday charcuterie board . I always like to end the night with a slice of honey cake because it feels so warm and nostalgic after a round of spritzes. For something a little more fun and festive, you can also set out desserts like Christmas crack or chocolate peppermint cookies .
More Festive Holiday Cocktails to Try
Cranberry Margarita
Christmas Champagne Punch
Holiday Punch Recipe
Sugared Cranberry Mimosas
Cranberry Aperol Spritz
Ingredients
- 3 oz. Aperol
- 1½ oz. cranberry juice cocktail
- 3 oz. Prosecco
- splash sparkling water
- orange wedges cranberries, and rosemary to garnish
Instructions
- Fill a wine glass halfway with crushed ice.
- Pour in the Aperol, cranberry juice, Prosecco, and sparkling water. Stir to combine. 3 oz. Aperol, 1½ oz. cranberry juice cocktail, 3 oz. Prosecco, splash sparkling water
- Garnish with an orange wedge, fresh cranberries, and a sprig of rosemary. orange wedges
Video
Notes
- This cocktail is best served as a single serving . I don’t suggest batching it, because the prosecco will lose its bubbles.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
