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The Cappelletti Spritz is a delicious spin on the Aperol Spritz using Cappelletti Aperitivo. Here’s my easy 3-ingredient recipe for this refreshing Italian cocktail.
Here’s the I reach for when friends come over and I want something that tastes like Italian golden hour with almost zero effort: the Cappelletti spritz! This Italian aperitif is sweeter and easier to drink than Campari, making it a great option for drinkers who are new to or love Italian amari.
The sweet wine-based aperitivo has a roundness in flavor that’s unlike any you’ve tried. One of my favorite ways to drink it is a spritz: I love a good Aperol Spritz and Hugo Spritz, but this one is even better (I think!). Here’s my Cappelletti spritz recipe and more about why I love this amaro.
What is Cappelletti?
Cappelletti, aka Aperitivo Cappelletti, is a wine-based Italian red bitter aperitif that’s been produced by the Cappelletti family for four generations. The flavor is like a blend of Aperol and Campari: sweet and herbal, with a bitter finish. It’s not as popular in the US as its trendier cousins, but it’s starting to catch on.
Cappelletti is made with wine instead of a neutral spirit like other similar liqueurs, which gives a unique roundness to the flavor. The red color comes from natural carmine: the dye is made from insects! (This is similar to Campari, which was originally made with natural carmine.)
The producer of the liqueur, Antica Erboristeria Cappelletti, was established in 1909. It sells other liquors like vermouth, amari, grappa, and more. So Cappelletti is the brand: the specific product name is Aperitivo Cappelletti.
What Does Cappelletti Taste Like?
Cappelletti tastes sweet and herbal, with a round mouthfeel and subtly bitter finish. It’s like a mashup of Aperol and Campari, with most of the sweetness of Aperol and about half the bitterness of Campari. It blends beautifully into drinks.
How much alcohol is in Cappelletti? It is 17% ABV (alcohol by volume), so it’s midway between Aperol (11% ABV) and Campari (24% AV).
Cappelletti Spritz vs. Aperol Spritz
OK, now let’s get to the drink! A Cappelletti Spritz and an Aperol Spritz use the same formula: a 3-2-1 ratio of sparkling wine, aperitivo, and soda water.
Aperol is bright, citrusy, and extremely sweet. Cappelletti is more wine-like, with less sweetness and a edge. If the Aperol Spritz tastes a little one-note to you (it does to me!), you’ll love the Cappelletti version.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s all you need for this drink:
- Cappelletti Aperitivo: A 750 ml bottle is about $17 to $20, which makes it one of the better values in the aperitivo aisle.
- Prosecco: Any dry sparkling wine works: Prosecco is traditional, but champagne, cava or another brut bubbly works too.
- Soda water: A splash of club soda or soda water is what makes the drink so refreshing: and lower alcohol than most cocktails.
- Orange slice and ice: A wide orange slice is the classic garnish. I also love this drink with big, slow-melting cubes: here’s how to make clear ice.
How to Make a Cappelletti Spritz
Here’s what you need to do (or jump to the recipe for the full instructions):
- Fill a large wine glass with ice. Grab clear ice for the best look.
- Pour in the Cappelletti first, then the Prosecco.
- Top with a splash of soda water and stir once, gently.
- Garnish with an orange slice, give the peel a little squeeze over the top, and serve.
More Cappelletti Drinks & Spritz Cocktails
Once you’ve got this recipe down, here are a few other ideas:
- Cappelletti Negroni: Swap Cappelletti for Campari in a classic Negroni for a softer, more sippable version.
- Cappelletti & Bourbon Cocktail: Another one of my favorite uses: a tangy, equal-parts riff on the Paper Plane and Last Word with Green Chartreuse. Use 1 ounce each bourbon, Cappelletti, Chartreuse, and lemon juice, and shake in a cocktail shaker then strain over ice.
- More spritzes: Try the Amaro Spritz, Campari Spritz or browse my 7 Spritz Recipes for Any Season.
Cappelletti Spritz
The Cappelletti Spritz is a delicious spin on the Aperol Spritz using Cappelletti Aperitivo. Here’s my easy 3-ingredient recipe for this refreshing Italian cocktail.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Cappelletti Aperitivo, chilled
- 3 ounces sparkling wine, such as Prosecco or champagne, chilled
- 1 ounce soda water
- Ice (try clear ice!)
- For the garnish: lemon wedge or orange slice
Instructions
- Add the Cappelletti to a glass filled with ice and stir. Top with the sparkling wine and soda water.
- Squeeze in the lemon wedge and stir gently, then serve.
Notes
To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
A 750 ml bottle of Prosecco is 25 ounces, enough for 8 drinks. If you’re making 2 drinks, a mini bottle is perfect: it holds 187 mL or about 6 ounces!
what is the name of this drink? other than being an alternate to a paper plane
It doesn’t have a standardized name.
Found this while searching for cocktails using Cappelletti. I did substitute Genépy for the Green Chartreuse (was told this was a good substitute when Chartreuse was hard to get). So good! A new favorite! I’ve become a clear ice snob after making it with your method. I’m spoiled now!
Let us know if you have any questions!