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Here are the best spritz recipes to try! Liquor, soda and sparkling wine make these bubbly drinks, from the classic Aperol spritz to more unique spins.
The most refreshing cocktails on the planet? Meet the Spritz family! A spritz is a cocktail that’s a blend of sparkling wine (usually Prosecco), bitter liqueur, and soda water. The most famous spritz of all is the popular Aperol spritz, a classic cocktail on the list of IBA official cocktails. But there are many ways to make this bubbly drink by varying the liquor! Spritzes are perfect for summer, but you can drink them in any season. Bubbly and refreshing never goes out of style.
Here are our top 5 must-try spritz recipes. Start with the classic with Aperol, then branch out to bitter Campari, fruity St Germain and cool, crisp Lillet Blanc. There’s something for everyone!
And now…the best spritz recipes to try!
Bubbly, citrusy, herbal, subtly bitter and lightly sweet…it’s the most classic bubbly mixed drink of them all. Meet the Aperol spritz! This drink is renowned the world over, reaching max popularity in the 2000’s. But did you know it’s actually a classic cocktail from the 1950’s? This Italian cocktail, also known as the Spritz Veneziano, has been capturing hearts and minds for years. Taste one made the right way: it’s absolutely worth the hype.
Need a light mixed drink? Try the Campari spritz! Bitter and bubbly, this cocktail mixes that popular aperativo with sparkling wine and soda water. What could be more refreshing? Campari is bitter-forward, so this cocktail is a drink is made for Campari lovers. It’s a nice change from the Negroni or Americano.
Here’s a light and refreshing cocktail that’s vying for summer’s best drink: the St Germain Spritz! It’s floral and bubbly, full of lightly sweet flavor and effervescence. There are lots of classic spritz cocktails: this one is a fun spin on the classic using the popular elderflower liqueur. It’s easy to drink, perfect for poolside sipping, brunch, or with an afternoon book. Oh: and it takes 3 minutes.
Here’s a spritz recipe that’s bubbly and flavored with pure lemon: the Limoncello Spritz! Limoncello is an Italian liqueur that’s often sipped for after-dinner shots…but this ultra strong lemon liquor is at its best in mixed drinks. This spin on the original spritz is full of bright lemon flavor and even better than the original, we think. It’s bubbly and effervescent, with a searing citrus bite.
Looking for a refreshing, bubbly drink that’s light and carefree? Meet the Amaro Spritz! The classic spritz works with any Italian bitter: just follow the classic spritz ratio of 3-2-1. With our favorite amaro (Meletti), it’s glowing golden brown and tastes almost like cola, with caramely notes.
If there’s a cocktail that embodies the word refreshing, this is it. Meet the Lillet spritz! It’s light and bubbly, tart and citrusy, and it couldn’t be easier to make. The star? Lillet Blanc, a subtly floral fortified wine that is an absolute must in your fridge! Mix it up with some bubbles, lemon and gin, and you’ve got a breezy light cocktail that has summer written all over it.
Run don’t walk to try this spritz recipe: the Hugo cocktail! This Italian cocktail is a spin-off on the classic and even better, in our opinion. It’s made with delicate floral elderflower liqueur and bubbly Prosecco, which compliment each other perfectly. The bubbly combination transports you right to Northern Italy, where this cocktail was born and is popular to this day.
What’s the spritz ratio?
The classic spritz ratio is present in all of the recipes above. The basic idea is to use the following quantities of each ingredient:
- 3 parts sparkling wine (Prosecco or champagne)
- 2 parts liqueur
- 1 part soda water
Once you’ve memorized this ratio, you can use it to make endless variations. You can do them with any type of liqueur: feel free to get creative! Let us know what you try in the comments below.
Aperol Spritz
The classic Aperol spritz is worth the hype! It’s light and bubbly, with hints of citrus and herbs: one of the most refreshing mixed drinks of all time.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 3 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) Aperol, chilled
- 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) Prosecco or other sparkling wine, chilled
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) soda water
- Ice (try clear ice!)
- For the garnish: orange wedge, a straw if you like
Instructions
- Add the Aperol to a glass filled with ice and stir. Top with the sparkling wine and soda water.
- Squeeze in the orange wedge and stir gently, then serve. Serve with a straw to minimize dilution!
More summer drinks
Spritzes are bubbly and light, perfect for lazy afternoons, pool parties, or dinner parties on the patio. They work in any season, of course…but they’re especially fitting for summer. Here are some more easy breezy summer drinks:
- Sangria: Try all our fruity and refreshing sangria recipes, from red to white to rose.
- Wine spritzers: Wine spritzers mix soda water with wine! Try the white wine spritzer, red wine spritzer, and rose spritzer.
- Frozen alcoholic drinks: Try the Best Frose (Frozen Rosé), Piña Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri, Frozen Sangria, or Frozen Margaritas.
- Classic cocktails: Try the Classic Mojito, Vodka Tonic, Sea Breeze Cocktail, Americano, Salty Dog Cocktail or Basil Gimlet.
Last updated: October 2020
