This Summery Drink May Be the Easiest Cocktail You’ve Ever Made

I love cocktails, but I rarely make them at home. My poor mixology skills mean that most of the drinks I make come out watery and weak, and I’m left wishing I’d just opened a bottle of wine instead. But there’s one cocktail I always make an exception for. It’s called the Spaghett, and it’s almost like an Aperol Spritz for a really, really lazy beer lover. Basically, all you have to do is open a Miller High Life, take a big swig, and then top it off with some Aperol. I like to add a slice of lemon, but you can skip that step if you don’t feel like getting a cutting board out.

If you haven’t ever seen the Spaghett on a menu, you’re not alone. It was born into the cocktail world in 2016 at Wet City Brewing in Baltimore, Maryland, where it was invented by a bartender named Reed Cahill. Since then, it’s made its rounds on the internet and has gained a cult following amongst the Aperol-loving crowd, but you probably won’t see it on a ton of drink menus.

Of course, part of the appeal is the fact that this cocktail is just so easy to make. You don’t even have to use a clean glass, after all—just pour the Aperol straight into the bottle of beer. There’s no measuring or mixing, which is ideal for the times when you’re trying to make a drink quickly. Plus, it doesn’t even call for specialized ingredients you have to go out and buy just to make this cocktail specifically; you probably already have everything you need in your fridge and bar cart. It’s also easy to take on the go, since it doesn’t require a shaker or ice.

But I think part of the Spaghett’s appeal is the fact that it’s so low ABV. As drinkers venture away from super-strong, boozy drinks, a cocktail as light and as easy-drinking as the Spaghett is sure to be a hit. It doesn’t hurt that it’s vaguely reminiscent of an Aperol Spritz, as well.

While it’s easy to make a Spaghett at home any time of the year, it’s particularly refreshing in the summer when the crispness of the light beer can shine. That added hint of both bitterness and sweetness adds a fruity, herbal kick to the bottle that makes it even easier to drink than it was before the modification.

If you ask me, the Spaghett may be the perfect summer cocktail, especially for anyone who’s eschewing bars for park days and trying to save some money this summer. There are few cocktails that will come together as quickly and as easily as this one, and it needs to be on your warm weather drink radar.

Spaghett Recipe

Take a big swig of a Miller High Life, then top up the bottle with some Aperol. Add some lemon juice or a lemon slice for a refreshing touch of acidity.

Samantha Maxwell is a food writer and editor based in Boston. Follow her on Twitter at @samseating.