This fall Aperol spritz takes the classic summer cocktail and gives it a cozy, spiced upgrade with Chambord and ginger beer. It's ready in under five minutes, and it's the kind of drink that makes any fall gathering feel a little more festive, whether you're pouring for two or setting up a spritz bar for a crowd.
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AT A GLANCE
This post covers how to make a fall Aperol spritz, a seasonal twist on the classic Aperol spritz made with Aperol, Chambord, prosecco, and ginger beer. It's for anyone who loves an Aperol spritz in the warmer months and wants a version that feels right for fall, from Halloween parties through Thanksgiving. You'll find the full recipe, three fruit-forward variations using apple cider, pear, and pomegranate, garnish ideas, and answers to the most common questions about serving an Aperol spritz as a fall drink.
Why this fall Aperol spritz works
It's easy. You need four ingredients, a wine glass, and a few minutes. No shaker or special bar tools required.
It's balanced. Aperol brings bitter citrus, Chambord adds a touch of berry sweetness, and ginger beer adds warmth and spice. Together they taste like fall without leaning on pumpkin spice.
It's festive. The deep ruby color and a pick of fresh blackberries make it look right at home on a Halloween or Thanksgiving table.
What is Aperol?
Aperol is an Italian aperitif, a low-alcohol drink meant to be sipped before a meal to open your appetite. It's made from bitter orange, gentian, rhubarb, and cinchona bark, which gives it that signature bittersweet, herbal flavor and bright orange-red color. The classic way to drink it is a spritz, mixed with prosecco and a splash of soda water.
What is Chambord?
Chambord is a French black raspberry liqueur. It's rich and a little jammy, with layers of raspberry, vanilla, and citrus. In this cocktail, it rounds out Aperol's bitterness and adds the deeper, fruitier note that makes the drink feel right for fall. If you end up with a bottle, here are more of my favorite Chambord cocktails to use it up.
Ingredients
Aperol. This one's easy to find these days. Most grocery stores with a decent liquor section carry it, and if not, any liquor store will.
Chambord. You may need to make a stop at a liquor store for this one, but it's worth it. Look for the round bottle with the gold crown on top. That's how you know you have the right one.
Ginger beer. I like Bundaberg or Fever-Tree here. Both have enough spice and fizz to hold their own next to the Aperol and Chambord instead of getting lost.
Prosecco. I go with prosecco instead of champagne for this one. It's more affordable, and once it's mixed with everything else, you won't notice the difference.
Blackberries. A few fresh blackberries on a cocktail pick are my go-to garnish here because they echo the berry flavor in the Chambord. A blood orange slice works too.
How to make a fall Aperol spritz
- Fill a wine glass with ice.
- Pour in 1 ½ oz Aperol, 1 ½ oz Chambord, 3 oz prosecco, and 1 ½ oz ginger beer.
- Give it a gentle stir to combine.
- Garnish with fresh blackberries on a cocktail pick (or a blood orange slice) and serve right away.
Fall variations on this Aperol spritz
Apple cider version. Swap the Chambord and ginger beer for 2 oz apple cider and a splash of soda water. Rim the glass with cinnamon sugar and garnish with an apple slice or a sprig of thyme. If apple is your thing, my spiced cider spritz goes all in on it.
Pear version. Use 2 oz pear juice or hard pear cider in place of the Chambord and ginger beer, plus a splash of soda water. Rim the glass with cinnamon sugar and garnish with a thin pear slice.
Pomegranate version. Swap in 2 oz pomegranate juice for the Chambord and ginger beer, plus a splash of soda water. Skip the cinnamon sugar rim and garnish with fresh pomegranate seeds instead.
Garnish ideas for your fall Aperol spritz
- Fresh blackberries on a cocktail pick
- Blood orange slice or wheel
- Regular orange slice, if you can't find blood orange
- Cinnamon stick
- Fresh cranberries on a skewer
- Sprig of thyme or rosemary
Can you make this into a batched cocktail?
Not really, and here's why. Prosecco and ginger beer are both carbonated, so if you mix a big batch ahead of time, it'll go flat before your guests even show up.
Instead, set up a spritz bar. Pour the Aperol and Chambord into a pitcher or a couple of bottles, set out the prosecco and ginger beer, and let everyone build their own glass. It's just as easy for you, and it keeps the drink fizzy. If you want something you can fully mix ahead, try one of these batch cocktails for Thanksgiving.
FAQs
How is this different from a classic Aperol spritz?
A classic Aperol spritz follows the 3-2-1 ratio: 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water. This fall version keeps the Aperol and prosecco, swaps the soda water for ginger beer, and adds Chambord for a richer, berry-forward flavor.
Is Aperol spritz a fall drink?
Yes. Aperol spritz is best known as a summer drink, but the bittersweet, citrusy flavor works year-round. Adding Chambord and ginger beer gives it a deeper, spiced flavor that feels right for fall.
What can I use instead of Chambord?
Try another berry liqueur, like crème de cassis, or leave it out entirely and add a little extra ginger beer for a more traditional spritz with a spiced kick.
Does an Aperol spritz taste good in cold weather?
Yes, especially with warming add-ins like ginger beer and Chambord. It's lighter than an apple cider hot toddy or mulled wine, but the spice still makes it feel seasonal.
Can I make a fall Aperol spritz ahead of time?
Not the full drink, since the prosecco and ginger beer will go flat. You can measure the Aperol and Chambord into a pitcher ahead of time and keep it in the fridge, then add the bubbly ingredients right before serving.
Pin it for later!
More fall cocktails to try
- Spiced Cider Spritz
- Spiced Pear Sidecar
- Apple Cider Martini
- Spiced Pear and Bourbon Sparkler
- Salted Caramel Martini
- Blackberry Bourbon Smash
Fall Aperol Spritz
This fall Aperol spritz takes the classic summer cocktail and gives it a cozy, spiced upgrade with Chambord and ginger beer. It's ready in under five minutes, and it's the kind of drink that makes any fall gathering feel a little more festive, whether you're pouring for two or setting up a spritz bar for a crowd.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz Aperol
- 1 ½ oz Chambord
- 3 oz prosecco
- 1 ½ oz ginger beer
- Blackberries, to garnish
Instructions
- Fill a wine glass with ice.
- Add the Aperol, Chambord, prosecco, and ginger beer.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with a blackberries and serve.
Notes
What is Aperol?
Aperol is an Italian aperitif, a lower alcohol drink meant to be sipped before a meal to open up your appetite. It's made from bitter orange, gentian, rhubarb, and cinchona bark, which gives it that signature bittersweet, herbal flavor and bright orange red color. The classic way to drink it is a spritz, mixed with prosecco and a splash of soda water.
What is Chambord?
Chambord is a French black raspberry liqueur. It's rich and a little jammy, with layers of raspberry, vanilla, and citrus. In this cocktail, it rounds out Aperol's bitterness and adds the deeper, fruitier note that makes the drink feel right for fall.
Fall variations on this Aperol spritz
Apple cider version. Swap the Chambord and ginger beer for 2 oz apple cider and a splash of soda water. Rim the glass with cinnamon sugar and garnish with an apple slice or a sprig of thyme.
Pear version. Use 2 oz pear juice or hard pear cider in place of the Chambord and ginger beer, plus a splash of soda water. Rim the glass with cinnamon sugar and garnish with a thin pear slice.
Pomegranate version. Swap in 2 oz pomegranate juice and a splash of soda water. Skip the cinnamon sugar rim and garnish with fresh pomegranate seeds instead.
