Look, I get it. You’re scrolling through Instagram and every second photo is someone holding a neon orange drink in a glass that costs more than your monthly Wi-Fi bill. I spent four years of college staring at those $15 spritzes while I was nursing a lukewarm domestic beer and a $5 bill. While the Authentic Venetian Aperol Spritz is the gold standard for many, it can be a hit to the wallet when you’re hosting a crowd and looking for affordable party drinks or college party drinks that actually taste good.

But here’s the thing: you’re mostly paying for the brand name and the fancy patio furniture. After a few weekends of “scientific testing” with the cheapest bottles at the discount grocer, I figured out how to get the aesthetic and the flavor without the financial regret.

This is my “Broke but Fancy” game-plan for the ultimate budget aperol spritz hack and one of my favorite $10 cocktail recipes.

The Best Budget Aperol Spritz Hack: Stretch & Brighten

The biggest cost in a spritz is the Aperol. A bottle isn’t exactly cheap when you’re on a budget. The traditional 3-2-1 ratio (3 parts wine, 2 parts Aperol, 1 part soda) will drain that bottle before the first playlist finishes.

The secret to how to stretch aperol? The 1:1 Aperol-to-OJ stretch. By swapping half of the Aperol for pulp-free orange juice, you keep that gorgeous neon glow and add a hit of fresh acidity. It actually makes the drink taste brighter and more refreshing, and it makes your bottle last twice as long. If I can make one bottle last for three parties instead of one, that’s a massive win for my grocery budget.

Choosing Cheap Sparkling Wine for Spritz

When you’re standing in the wine aisle looking at the $6 to $8 bottles, your instinct might be to grab the one that says “Extra Dry.” Don’t do it.

In the confusing world of sparkling wine, “Extra Dry” is actually sweeter than “Brut.” Since we’re already using a sweet liqueur and OJ, you need a cheap sparkling wine for spritz that provides that sharp, crisp finish. I usually grab a Spanish Cava—it’s almost always cheaper than Prosecco and has a much drier, “expensive” mouthfeel. Trust me, this works.

The “Ice Mountain” Philosophy

If you take one thing away from this, let it be this: use more ice than you think is reasonable.

Most people use three or four sad cubes, which melt instantly and turn your drink into a watery orange soup. You want a “mountain” of ice. When the glass is packed, the thermal mass stays low, meaning the ice doesn’t melt, and your drink stays fizzy and concentrated until the last sip.

Make it Smell Expensive

Luxury is 80% aromatics. Before you hand a drink to your friend, take a small strip of orange peel and twist it over the glass. You’ll see a tiny mist of oils hit the surface. If you want to get even more creative with citrus, you might enjoy the Smoked & Charred Orange Aperol Spritz for your next gathering. Rub that peel along the rim and the stem of the glass.

When they take a sip, the first thing they smell is fresh citrus oils, not the $6 wine. It’s a high-vibe move that costs about three cents.

How to Serve

You don’t need fancy crystal. I’ve served these in wine glasses, jelly jars, and even clean coffee mugs. As long as it’s ice-cold and has that orange slice tucked in the side, it hits different.

Pair this with a big bag of the saltiest store-brand potato chips you can find. The salt against the bitter-sweet spritz is the ultimate low-stakes happy hour. Broke doesn’t have to be boring, and once you master this, you can graduate to our roundup of the best Aperol spritz variations. Broke doesn’t have to be boring, my friends.