Can I use another beer to make a Spaghett?

Sure! You’ll want another American-style lager. Part of the charm of a Spaghett is the look of the drink in the Miller High Life bottle, but you can absolutely substitute your favorite lager.

What if my beer isn’t in a bottle?

Not a problem! Usually, a Spaghett is made by pouring off a little of the beer and adding the other ingredients directly to the bottle. If you’re using beer from a can, you can pour it into a glass and add the Aperol/Campari and lemon juice to the glass. Add a splash more of each if you’re using a full can of beer.

What is the difference between Aperol and Campari?

Aperol and Campari are both Italian aperitifs, both red bitter liqueurs. Aperol is sweeter, and more orange-forward in flavor than Campari. It’s the main ingredient in an Aperol Spritz. Campari is more bitter in flavor, with more spice notes than Aperol, and is the main ingredient in a Negroni. Either can be used for a Spaghett—if you like sweeter drinks, or just love an Aperol Spritz, pick Aperol. If you prefer more bitter drinks like Negronis or Americanos, use Campari.

When is the best time to serve a Spaghett?

This drink is a perfect porch-sipper, but also makes an excellent option for tailgates for folks who might want a slightly sweeter drink. To serve these for a crowd, keep your bottles of beer, liqueur, and a bottle of fresh lemon juice on ice with instructions for easy mixing.

3-Ingredient Spagett Is The Cocktail We'll Make All Summer

Get ready for your new favorite porch-sipper, a beer spritz.

By

Elizabeth Nelson

Updated on July 10, 2023

A couple of summers ago, I started noticing this bright orange drink, always in a Miller High Life bottle, popping up online and at bars. What was it?

The Spaghett. Beer-based cocktails, like beer-mosas, Micheladas, shandies, or beer spritzes are all easy sippers that are refreshing any time of year, but especially so during the summer.

Southern Living Spaghett Cocktail — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Similar to an Aperol Spritz, but made with beer, a Spaghett has just three ingredients:

Beer: Miller High Life in a 12-oz. bottle is the standard choice, but you can use any mild lager-style beer.
Aperol: An Italian aperitif, Aperol has flavors of citrus, herbs, and a little vanilla. Campari will also work, if you prefer a less-sweet, option.
Fresh lemon juice: We recommend fresh lemon juice, but you can also use the bottled stuff in a pinch. Other types of citrus juice are fair game as well—grapefruit or orange are also delicious. For extra flair, garnish the drink with a lemon wedge.

Southern Living Spaghett Cocktail ingredients — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

How To Make a Spaghett

Step 1: Remove some beer. First pour out about 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) of the beer (just below the label on the neck of the bottle, if you’re using a bottle of Miller High Life). You can either drink this or serve in a small glass alongside the cocktail.
Step 2: Add Aperol: Next, add 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) of a red bitter liqueur, traditionally Aperol, to the beer in the bottle.

Southern Living Spaghett Cocktail adding the aperol — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Step 3: Add citrus juice: Finally, add 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) fresh lemon juice (or another kind of citrus juice).

Southern Living Spaghett Cocktail adding the lemon juice — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Step 4: Garnish. Garnish with a lemon wedge, if you like.

That's it! For best results, have all of your ingredients chilled ahead of time, since this drink isn’t mixed with or served over ice.

Why a Spaghett Drink Is So Good

It’s cold, fizzy, refreshing, and not too high in alcohol. The liqueur (usually use Aperol, but also great with Campari) adds a bittersweet citrus flavor, which is amplified by the lemon juice.

Southern Living Spaghett Cocktail garnished with a lemon wedge — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use another beer to make a Spaghett?

Sure! You’ll want another American-style lager. Part of the charm of a Spaghett is the look of the drink in the Miller High Life bottle, but you can absolutely substitute your favorite lager.
What if my beer isn’t in a bottle?

Not a problem! Usually, a Spaghett is made by pouring off a little of the beer and adding the other ingredients directly to the bottle. If you’re using beer from a can, you can pour it into a glass and add the Aperol/Campari and lemon juice to the glass. Add a splash more of each if you’re using a full can of beer.
What is the difference between Aperol and Campari?

Aperol and Campari are both Italian aperitifs, both red bitter liqueurs. Aperol is sweeter, and more orange-forward in flavor than Campari. It’s the main ingredient in an Aperol Spritz. Campari is more bitter in flavor, with more spice notes than Aperol, and is the main ingredient in a Negroni. Either can be used for a Spaghett—if you like sweeter drinks, or just love an Aperol Spritz, pick Aperol. If you prefer more bitter drinks like Negronis or Americanos, use Campari.
When is the best time to serve a Spaghett?

This drink is a perfect porch-sipper, but also makes an excellent option for tailgates for folks who might want a slightly sweeter drink. To serve these for a crowd, keep your bottles of beer, liqueur, and a bottle of fresh lemon juice on ice with instructions for easy mixing.