Oooooh friends, today is a fun day! You’re in for a BIG treat. We’re making Spaghetts!
This 3-ingredient beer cocktail has been my summer drink of choice here at the PWWB house ever since I first tried it in 2019.
If you’ve never heard of a spaghett before, it’s most easily explained as an Aperol spritz, made with beer instead of prosecco or sparkling wine. While it may sound like a sorta strange combination at first, I swear to you, it just works.
Beer provides a similar effervescence you’d get from sparkling wine in a classic spritz, with the added bonus of not being especially sweet. When combined with bright, vibrant, and bittersweet Aperol liqueur it is just as bubbly and refreshing as an Aperol spritz, but drinks a lot lighter.
The very best part is that they are so easy to make. These spaghetti cocktails take just 5 minutes to make with no mixology or homemade syrups required and drinkware is optional. The PERFECT summer cocktail! 😎
Want more fun Summer cocktail ideas? ⇢ Be sure to check out my Sgroppino (3-Ingredient Limoncello Cocktail) or my Frosé Palomas. Both are so easy to make and even easier to drink!
Key Ingredients
The absolute best thing about spaghett cocktails (aside from how tasty they are, of course) is the fact that they’re so beyond easy to make.
You need 3 simple ingredients…
- Beer – We always use Miller High Life when we make this spaghett drink recipe at the PWWB house. Maybe it’s because we have a soft spot for Wisconsin beer, or maybe it’s because I’m a sucker for marketing and you can’t beat a beer dubbed “the Champagne of Beers” but either way, it’s delicious and affordable. Cheap and cheerful! Not a fan of High Life? ⇢ Use any light and mellow beer that you love to compliment the flavor of Aperol.
- Aperol – Aperol is an orange-flavored Italian aperitif, a type of spirit traditionally consumed before a meal to “open up” or prepare for digestion. Aperitif can be pretty astringent, which is why I like Aperol specifically – it’s not too bitter and has a nice sweetness, too.
- Lemon juice – A secret little ingredient that both brightens up and enhances the flavor of the beer and the Aperol in your spaghett cocktail. Freshly squeezed is always best, but I’ve also recently begun keeping this lemon juice stocked in my fridge at all times for cocktails just in case my fruit basket isn’t filled with fresh citrus. I like it because it’s made with 1 ingredient (lemon juice!) and it’s 100% juice, not from concentrate. Plus, it’s really bright and tasty!
Origin Story
As far as I know, the spaghett cocktail originated at Wet City Brewing, a brewery and bar in Baltimore, and was popularized when Bon Appetit wrote a feature on it. Another similar concept is the “hobo Negroni” – a simplified Negroni cocktail made with beer and Campari (another bitter orange Italian aperitif).
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Buy Now → Mixing Up Your Spaghett Drink!
Mixing up a spaghett cocktail is seriously the easiest thing – it takes less than 5 minutes, which exactly is why it’s my summer cocktail of choice.
Simply add all of the ingredients to your favorite glass, stir to combine, and garnish with a little lemon if you’re feeling fancy. That’s it!
Want to Skip the Dishes?
Want to keep things super simple & keep dishes to a minimum?! Do it the “PWWB way” by taking a big swig out of your beer bottle, and replacing the beer with the Aperol & lemon juice. This is how we always make our spaghett cocktails at home and is likely what you’ve seen if you’re following along on Instagram.
Make A Big Batch
When serving spaghetts to a crowd, instead of mixing drinks one by one, make a simple spaghett mix ahead of time. Combine 1 ½ cups Aperol with ½ cup lemon juice in a jar or pitcher and stir to combine. The mix will serve up to 8. If you’re prepping ahead, you can keep the mix in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
I can’t wait for you to make your very own Spaghett Drinks at home. They’re so simple, so easy, and so refreshing. I’m pretty sure that you’ll be mixing them up for yourself all summer long!
If you do give it a try, be sure to let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo and tag @playswellwithbutter on Instagram. We LOVE seeing your PWWB creations! ♡ Cheers!
Print
Spaghett Drink Recipe (5 Minutes, 3 Ingredients!)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: serves 1
- Category: Cocktails, Drinks & Cocktails Recipes
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Meet the Spaghett Cocktail! A riff on a classic summer spritz, this spaghett drink recipe is made with Aperol and Miller High Life, (or your favorite light beer) resulting in the perfectly refreshing summer cocktail that’s not too strong and not too sweet. Our go-to summer cocktail here at the PWWB house!
Ingredients
- one 12-ounce Miller High Life, or similar light beer of choice
- 1 ½ ounces Aperol
- 0.5 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
Add all listed ingredients to a pint glass and stir to combine. OR, do it the PWWB way: Take a swig or two out of the High Life, then pour the Aperol and lemon juice directly in the beer bottle – voila, no dishes to wash! Cheers!
Notes
- Jess’ preferred spaghett ratios: I’m kind of a sucker for Aperol and I love an especially tart drink. If that sounds like you too, up the Aperol to 2 ounces and the lemon juice to .75 ounces. This is how I always mix my spaghett drinks, and I LOVE it.
- Making a big batch for a crowd: If you’re serving a crowd or packing for a weekend away, I suggest prepping a simple spaghett mix to eliminate the fuss of mixing up drinks one by one. Combine 1 1/2 cups Aperol with 1/2 cup lemon juice in a jar or pitcher and stir to combine. The mix will serve up to 8. If you’re prepping ahead, you can keep the mix in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Recipe by Jess Larson, Plays Well With Butter | Photography by Yes to Yolks.
Follow along with Plays Well With Butter on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Pinterest for more unfussy recipes that pack a big punch of flavor!
Love these! Made them for a party and they were a hit!
Hi Meghann! Yes these are the perfect party drink, so glad you enjoyed!
We do the PWWB way and swing then pour! Such a tasty summer drink. perfect to sip while you grill!! 🙂