Coco Loco Aperol Spritz

Give the World's most popular spritz a tropical twist.

The Aperol Spritz has defined summer sessions in Australia for the last five years. No doubt this cocktail spritz was doing well prior to it literally being everywhere Downunder, but the appeal of lighter, more complex flavoured drinks has made the trademark orange beverage a mainstay on menus.

But when it comes to Aperol, it's not just a one-trick cocktail spritz ingredient. Nor is Coco Loco hard seltzer. Both of these drinks pair well with lots of other flavours and can be used to make dozens if not hundreds of delicious low sugar cocktails.

Coco Loco drinks — both alcoholic coconut water seltzers — are incredibly versatile. While they are sensational when enjoyed as is, straight from the can or poured over ice in a glass, our Pineapple Seltzer and Passionfruit Seltzer also make for great mixers or cocktail ingredients.

Next time you're feeling in the mood for a spritz, why not elevate the classic by swapping out Prosecco with Coco Loco for a low sugar tropical twist.

Aperol and gluten, answered

It is one of the most common questions asked about the drink, and the short version is reassuring. Here is the detail, including the part most articles leave out.

Is Aperol gluten free?

Yes. Campari Group, which produces Aperol, states that Aperol contains no gluten. The base is a neutral spirit infused with bitter and sweet orange, rhubarb, gentian and cinchona, and none of those ingredients are wheat, barley or rye.

There is a second reason the answer holds even for spirits distilled from grain. Gluten is a protein, and proteins do not carry through distillation, so the finished spirit is free of it regardless of the starting cereal. Coeliac Australia applies this position to distilled spirits generally.

Australia has some of the strictest gluten labelling rules anywhere, and a product may only carry a "gluten free" claim if it meets the Food Standards Australia New Zealand definition. If you are coeliac and want certainty about a particular bottle, check the label and the producer's current allergen statement rather than relying on a general rule.

Is an Aperol Spritz gluten free?

Yes, in its classic form. The three components are Aperol, Prosecco and soda water. Prosecco is made from grapes and soda water is simply carbonated water, so neither introduces gluten, and Aperol's producer states it contains none.

The risk in a spritz is rarely the liquid itself. It is the garnish, shared bar equipment, or a flavoured syrup the venue adds off-menu. If you are ordering out, it is worth asking what goes in beyond the three standard ingredients.

Is the Coco Loco version gluten free?

Yes. Our spritz swaps the Prosecco for Coco Loco Passionfruit, which is brewed from real coconut water rather than any cereal grain, and is naturally gluten free. The rest is Aperol, a can of Bobby Passionfruit, ice and an orange slice.

If you are working out what else fits a gluten free diet, our step-by-step guide to going gluten free covers label reading and the Australian standards in detail.

Coco Loco Aperol Spritz — with Passionfruit Seltzer

Featuring our Passionfruit Seltzer made from coconut water this isn't just a drink; it's an upgrade. It keeps the zesty, bubbly charm you love while adding a unique, natural sweetness and the goodness of coconut water.

This recipe makes a generous jug, perfect for sharing with friends.

Serves: 4 · Approx. Standard Drinks per serve: 1.12

Ingredient	Quantity	Why it works
Coco Loco Passionfruit	3 × 330mL cans	Our low-sugar alcoholic coconut water base.
Bobby Passionfruit	1 × 330mL can	Adds extra passionfruit flavour and fizz with zero alcohol.
Aperol	150mL	Provides the signature bitter-sweet orange complexity.
Garnish	Sliced oranges	Essential for the classic spritz look and feel.
Ice cubes	Plenty	Serve with ice on pour — for an extra flavour and electrolyte boost make the ice with coconut water.

How to make a Coco Loco Aperol Spritz

The Easy-Peasy Jug Spritz

1. Grab the goods: Grab a large jug (1.5–2 litre capacity) and your ingredients.
2. Aperol first: Pour the 150mL of Aperol into the base of the jug.
3. Add hard seltzer: Gently add the three cans of Coco Loco Passionfruit and the one can of Bobby Passionfruit.
4. Stir & serve: Give the mixture a gentle stir to combine the ingredients without losing too much fizz.
5. Garnish: Fill four large wine or stemless glasses with plenty of ice. Pour the spritz over the ice and garnish each glass with a slice of fresh orange.

Why this Tropical Twist Smacks

The traditional Aperol Spritz uses Prosecco, Aperol, and soda water. Our version switches out the Prosecco and soda for a dynamic duo that levels-up the flavour profile:

• Passionfruit & Orange Harmony: The deep, tangy tropical notes of the passionfruit are a perfect counterpoint to Aperol's core flavour, which is predominantly bitter orange and rhubarb. This pairing brightens the entire cocktail, making it immediately more vibrant and summery.
• The Wonder of Coco Loco: Our Coco Loco Passionfruit is a low sugar alcohol seltzer made from fermented coconut water. Unexpectedly, the flavour of coconut water is mild compared to most non-alcoholic (unfermented) varieties. Coco Loco coconut water doesn't overpower the drink; instead, it provides a very subtle, refreshing minerality and a lighter vibe than the traditional wine. It also keeps the sugar content low compared to some wine or sugary cocktail bases.
• Low-sugar, high flavour: By using a low-sugar base like Coco Loco hard seltzer and pairing it with low-sugar Bobby Passionfruit, we achieve an incredible depth of flavour while keeping the drink light and clean.

The Enduring Allure of the Aperol Spritz

The Aperol Spritz isn't a modern invention; its roots stretch back over a century!

Spritz Origin Story

The Spritz cocktail concept originated in the Veneto region of Italy when soldiers from the Austrian Empire started diluting local wines with a splash of water (or 'spritzen' in German) to make the high-ABV drinks more palatable.

Aperol, however, was created in 1919 by the Barbieri brothers in Padua, Italy. It wasn't until the mid-20th century that the Aperol Spritz formula — Aperol, Prosecco, and a splash of soda — was solidified. Its popularity remained largely regional in Italy until the 2000s when a massive global marketing campaign rocketed the drink to international fame, making it the defining low alcohol aperitivo around the world.

Why the Spritz is a Global Phenomenon

1. Moderate alcohol content: With a standard drink count typically around 1.5 per serve, the Aperol Spritz is the perfect aperitivo — a drink designed to open the palate before dinner without leading to quick intoxication.
2. Visual appeal: That unmistakable, gorgeous burnt-orange colour is instantly recognisable and highly 'Instagrammable.'
3. Taste profile: The bitter-sweet taste is instantly refreshing and cuts through the heat of summer, making it addictive and easy to drink.

The Upgraded Spritz: Why Coco Loco Wins

While we love the original, the common Aperol Spritz is often "overdrunk" and can leave you feeling a little heavy due to the traditional Prosecco base and the sugar content (if good quality Italian Prosecco is not used).

The Coco Loco Aperol Spritz is the ultimate upgrade because it answers the call for a lighter, better way to sip:

• Lower sugar: By swapping out the Prosecco for our low sugar alcohol coconut water and Bobby Passionfruit, we manage the overall sugar content, keeping the drink crisp and clean.
• Natural goodness: The coconut water in Coco Loco drinks retain the electrolytes naturally found in coconuts, adding essential micronutrients that aid in hydration. While this drink is not a hydration solution, it does contain the electrolytes naturally found in coconut water.
• Unique flavour: The fusion of passionfruit and orange is a refreshing, tropical evolution that elevates the classic taste profile, giving you a delicious, familiar, but wonderfully new experience.

This season, ditch the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary. The Coco Loco Aperol Spritz is here to make your spritz season the best one yet!

Explore our Coco Loco Passionfruit drinks packs and order for your next night in or out. If you're a member of our Coco Loco community (sign-up below) then you will earn 10% cashback credit on every purchase. Because we reward your good choices every time you order!