Spritzes should be fun. The combination of sparkling wine and liqueur served in an ice-filled glass with a splash of soda water is the very definition of frivolous, making this low-ABV cocktail the ideal pre-dinner aperitivo or a summery tipple.
The original ‘Bitter Spritz’ is still the most popular choice. Whether you prefer Campari’s spare elegance or like your liqueur at the Aperol end of the bitter-sweet scale is your call, but you can also experiment with other liqueurs and vermouths to find your very own sweet spot. Here are five of our favourites.
Venetian Spritz
The classic – and, some might say, best – Spritz, this version pairs up dry Prosecco with a bitter red liqueur like Campari or Select, pouring both over ice in an old-fashioned glass before stirring in soda water (gently, so as not to pop the bubbles) and topping with a slice of orange skewered with an olive. Quantities can be adjusted to taste, but we recommend starting with three parts Prosecco to two parts liqueur and one part soda.
Negroni Sbagliato
This cocktail is a ‘mistaken’ or ‘broken’ version of its more serious sibling, the Negroni. The Negroni’s defining flavours – the bitter hit of Campari, combined with the smooth botanical profile of the red vermouth – are still there. But, substituting Prosecco for gin turns this into an altogether more quaffable cocktail – perfect for summer evenings. Serve with ice in an old-fashioned glass or chilled in a champagne glass.
Bicicletta Spritz
In many ways, the Bicicletta is a straightforward homage to the Spritz’s origins. Rather than co-opting Prosecco to add extra fizz, this cocktail keeps things deliberately simple, partnering good white wine – Pinot Grigio or Sauv Blanc are both solid choices – with Campari and soda water. This is best served in a Collins glass with lots of ice and garnished with a wheel or two of orange.
Hugo Spritz
The simplest Spritz is a no-fuss combination of white wine and soda water served in a tall glass with a slice of lemon. But if you want to elevate this to a Spritz that’s unapologetically summery, the Hugo is a refreshing option. Hailing from southern Italy, it takes its dominant flavour from the fermented elderflower cordial that’s a speciality of the region. To recreate this, combine Prosecco, elderflower liqueur (as used in our own Elderflower Collins) and soda water for a cocktail that’s light and fragrant.
