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 first trying it last year. They’re bubbly, light & refreshing.
Better yet, they are so easy to make. No mixology or homemade syrups involved here…this spaghett drink is the quickest 5-minute cocktail.
& to be honest, it feels a little silly to share such a simple recipe, but having lost track of the number of “Hey, what’s that Aperol Miller High Life drink you always make?” & “What do you put in your beer to make it orange?” messages I’ve gotten over on Instagram, I figure it’s time to give my spaghett drink recipe a permanent home here on PWWB.
Easy, light & refreshing – the PERFECT summer cocktail! ♡ Read on to learn more about this Spaghett Drink recipe, or jump straight to the recipe & get sippin’!
First of all: What is a Spaghett?
Fair question. This simple Aperol cocktail was new-to-me up until last summer, too.
Most easily put, a spaghett is 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.
I’d even go as far as to say that I enjoy my spaghett drink even more than I enjoy an Aperol spritz (words I never thought I’d say!). A spaghett is just as bubbly & refreshing, but since it’s not quite as sweet as a spritz it drinks a lot lighter, which is just what I want on a hot summer day.
As far as I know, the spaghett cocktail originated at Wet City Brewing, a brewery & bar in Baltimore, & was popularized when Bon Appetit wrote a feature on it last summer. Another similar concept is the “hobo Negroni” – a simplified Negroni cocktail made with beer & Campari (another bitter orange Italian aperitif).
My first encounter with a spaghett cocktail was last summer, at one of my favorite casual spots in the Cities. Chris & I were enjoying some focaccia sandwiches & drinks at the bar when a couple walked up & ordered a couple of spaghetts with the bartender. He had never heard of it either, but took a stab at it & made a couple. They looked so good & so refreshing – plus, I’m a sucker for Aperol-anything – so I ordered one for us after the couple walked away. We’ve been hooked ever since!
The 3 simple ingredients you need to make a Spaghett Cocktail:
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 & you can’t beat a beer dubbed “the Champagne of Beers” but either way, it’s delicious & affordable. Cheap & cheerful! If High Life isn’t your jam, use any light & mellow beer that you love. Now’s not the time to pull out a bold, rich, dark, or hop-forward beer – the goal of a spaghett drink is to highlight & compliment the flavor of Aperol. Speaking of which…
- 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 & has a nice sweetness, too.
- Lemon juice – A secret little ingredient that both brightens up & enhances the flavor of the beer & 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 in the event that my fruit basket isn’t filled with fresh citrus (#quarantinelife #2020). I like it because it’s made with 1 ingredient (lemon juice!) & it’s 100% juice, not from concentrate. Plus, it’s really bright & tasty!
Lastly, the best part – 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.
How to mix a spaghett drink: Add all of the ingredients to your favorite glass, stir to combine, & garnish with a little lemon if you’re feeling fancy. That’s it!
Or, do it the PWWB way: If you’re a fan of keeping things super simple & keeping dishes to a minimum (hi! that’s me, too!), do it the “PWWB way” – take a big swig out of your beer bottle, & replace it with the Aperol & lemon juice. This is how we always make our spaghett cocktails at the PWWB house & is likely what you’ve seen if you’re following along on Instagram.
Making a big batch for a crowd: Instead of mixing drinks one by one, make a simple spaghett mix ahead of time. Combine 1 1/2 cups Aperol with 1/2 cup lemon juice in a jar or pitcher & 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.
No matter how you choose to do it, the end result will be absolutely delicious…promise!
I can’t wait for you to make your very own spaghett drinks at home. They’re so simple, so easy, & 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 & tag @playswellwithbutter on Instagram. I LOVE hearing about & seeing your PWWB creations! Cheers! ♡
Print
Spaghett Drink
- 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, resulting in the perfectly refreshing summer cocktail that’s not too strong & not too sweet. Our go-to summer cocktail here at the PWWB house!
Ingredients
- 1 12-ounce Miller High Life, or similar light beer of choice
- 1.5 ounces Aperol
- 0.5 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
Add all listed ingredients to a pint glass & stir to combine. OR, do it the PWWB way: Take a swig or two out of the High Life, then pour the Aperol & 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 & I love an especially tart drink. If that sounds like you too, up the Aperol to 2 ounces & the lemon juice to .75 ounces. This is how I always mix my spaghett drinks, & 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 & 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.
Keywords: Spaghett Drink, Spaghett Cocktail Recipe, Easy, Beer Cocktail, 3-ingredients
Recipe by Jess Larson, Plays Well With Butter | Photography by Yes to Yolks.
Ready for Happy Hour? A few more extra easy & refreshing cocktail recipes you have to try!
- Limoncello Prosecco Floats – A 3-ingredient boozy float – extra refreshing!
- Weeknight Palomas – The classic cocktail made totally weeknight-friendly with a few smart ingredients!
- Refined Sugar-Free Margaritas – Margaritas without the fuss.
- Frosé Palomas – Bright, citrusy & SO refreshing. The perfect boozy slushie for summer!
- All PWWB Drinks & Cocktail Recipes
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Don’t forget to pin this Spaghett Drink recipe for later!!!
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!! 🙂
★★★★★