Compare
Negroni vs Aperol Spritz
The two bitter Italians most people choose between — one short, stirred and spirit-forward, the other long, sparkling and half the strength.
Which should you make?
Not really the same decision. The Negroni is a short, stirred, spirit-forward drink at around three times the strength; the Aperol Spritz is a long sparkling one you can have two of before dinner. If you want the bitter Italian character without the evening ending early, the Spritz is the honest answer.
| Attribute | Negroni | Aperol Spritz |
|---|---|---|
| In a word | off-dry, soft, light — a bitter aperitif drink served over ice. | off-dry, gentle, very light, sparkling — a bitter aperitif drink served long, over ice. |
| Structure | Bitter aperitif | Bitter aperitif |
| Family | Negroni | Spritz |
| Smells of | Citrus peel | Citrus peel |
| Technique | Building in the glassThe drink changes as you go: strongest at the first sip, longest and most diluted at the last. That drift is a feature of a long drink and a fault in a short one. | Building in the glassThe drink changes as you go: strongest at the first sip, longest and most diluted at the last. That drift is a feature of a long drink and a fault in a short one. |
| Base spirit | gin | liqueur led |
| Strength | strong | light |
| ABV | 24% | 8.5% |
| Calories | 170 kcal | 150 kcal |
| Sweetness | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Sourness | 0/5 | 1/5 |
| Bitterness | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Prep time | 5 min | 3 min |
| Difficulty | easy | easy |
| Equipment | Jigger, Bar spoon | Jigger, Bar spoon |
| Occasions | aperitif, dinner, everyday | aperitif, summer, party |
| Alcohol-free option | No | Yes |
Choose the Negroni if you want something more spirit-forward.
Choose the Aperol Spritz if you'd rather keep the calories down and you want something lighter in alcohol.
Can you make both?
These two share no required ingredient at all — they are separate shopping trips.
- Only the Negroni
- Gin, Campari, Sweet vermouth
- Only the Aperol Spritz
- Prosecco, Aperol, Soda water
What actually separates them
bitterness
The Negroni is markedly more bitter — 5/5 against 2/5 — so the Aperol Spritz is the one to reach for if that is not what you want.
strength
The Negroni is markedly stronger — 4/5 against 1/5 — so the Aperol Spritz is the one to reach for if that is not what you want.
base spirit
Negroni is built on gin, Aperol Spritz on liqueur led. If you only own one of the two, that settles it.
how much alcohol you are drinking
At 24% against 8.5%, the Negroni is roughly 2.8 times the strength in the glass — 2.43 UK units against 1.74.
Effectively identical on: sweetness.