My favorite dietitian-approved spritz is just 4 ingredients — and it can be made with or without alcohol

• I make a four-ingredient, Aperol-based drink when I host, and it's a true crowd-pleaser.
• It's a lighter alternative to heavier cocktails, and you can easily make it nonalcoholic.
• It's also easy to upgrade with festive garnishes, such as rosemary sprigs and cinnamon sticks.

For many, the Aperol spritz is reserved for daylight-saving time, falling into the same bucket as loose linen shirts and beach days.

Once the clock falls back, the quintessential, three-ingredient summer cocktail — made with Aperol, Prosecco, and sparkling water — seems to go into hibernation.

I, however, don't fall into that camp. The bright-orange, refreshing spritz is one of my year-round orders. I've found that with a couple of easy tweaks, an Aperol-based drink can actually be very versatile.

My version of the classic recipe has become one of my favorite drinks in the fall and winter months, regardless of whether I'm on the sun-drenched Côte d'Azur or in my native drizzly England.

Making the spritz is really easy — and it doesn't even need to contain alcohol

I've seen various versions of this cocktail online with slightly different ratios and ingredients. In my experience, you don't need to be too strict about it.

You can alter the quantities based on your tastes and preferences, but for one simple spritz, I use the following:

• 2 ounces of Aperol or a nonalcoholic alternative
• 3 ounces of prosecco or nonalcoholic sparkling wine
• 2 ounces of apple or cranberry juice
• 1 ounce of soda water

Pour the above ingredients into a glass with plenty of ice, and you're done. There's no shaking required.

Although the above measurements yield one cocktail, I've scaled the recipe and served it in a large punch bowl or pitcher when hosting friends at my home.

You can make it stronger by adding a splash of alcoholic spiced apple cider or go for a heavier Aperol pour.

Just keep in mind that Aperol is a distilled spirit with 11% alcohol content, so even when it's diluted, it's worth being mindful of how many units you're having.

To garnish the drink, you can use a sprig of rosemary, cinnamon sticks, dehydrated orange slices, or cranberries. One of my favorite touches is making big ice cubes with an apple slice or a star anise inside.

And if you really love a sweet cocktail, coat the rim of your glass with a bit of cinnamon sugar.

When enjoyed mindfully, this 'lighter' drink beats out heavier cocktails

I ran my recipe by dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine, who said that my festive spritz is a "lighter, more hydrating option" than many other popular holiday cocktails.

As your glass empties, top up your drink with soda water, which Ludlam-Raine explains counteracts alcohol's diuretic effect and helps keep you from getting dehydrated.

If you're not drinking at all, swap the Aperol for Crodini or Wilfred's aperitif and the prosecco for a nonalcoholic sparkling wine to create a tasty mocktail.

"I would totally drink this myself and recommend it to my patients," Ludlam-Raine told me. "It's a great way of having a tasty drink without feeling like you're missing out if you're not having alcohol."

Although Ludlam-Raine said that fruit juice adds flavor and antioxidants, you should be mindful of how much you use to keep your sugar intake in check.

This is especially true if you're having multiple … which I always am because this drink is that delicious.