This classic Italian cocktail is perfect for a light and refreshing evening drink! The Spritz combines two types of delicious liqueurs with sparkling mineral water to create a sweet, bubbly beverage sure to tickle your taste buds. Cheers!
The Spritz: A Contemporary Cocktail From Italy
Originally created in the region of Veneto, Italy, the spritz is a contemporary cocktail that has gained immense popularity throughout Europe. The traditional recipe for this drink consists of a mixture of white wine and sparkling water over ice with a dash of liqueur or bitters. Nowadays, variations on this classic Italian beverage include Prosecco wine instead of white wine and other ingredients such as fruits, juices, herbs and syrups.
The name ‘spritz’ originates from the German term ‘spritzen’, which means ‘to spray’. This refers to an old Austrian practice in which they would sprinkle some sparkling mineral water into their glass of white or red wines to give it more flavor. Today’s version is made with much lighter ingredients than before but still retains its refreshing taste.
This delicious cocktail can be enjoyed any time – whether at happy hour or as an afternoon pick-me-up! With so many different recipes available to choose from you’re sure to find something that’ll tantalize your taste buds. It’s no wonder why this delectable drink has become so popular among those looking for a stylish sip!
Spritz Cocktail:
Ingredients
- Ingredients:
- 3 ounces of Prosecco or other sparkling white wine
- 2 ounces Aperol
- Splash of soda water or club soda
Instructions
- Instructions:
- Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
- Pour in the Prosecco and Aperol, then top it off with a splash of soda water or club soda.
- Stir lightly to combine all ingredients together and garnish with an orange slice or wedge if desired.
- Enjoy!
Glassware
Typical or usual glassware used for spritz cocktails includes martini glasses, highball glasses, and collins glasses. Martini glasses are ideal for serving a classic spritz such as the Aperol Spritz, with its bright orange hue and light bubbly texture. Highball glasses are perfect for creating a refreshing twist on the classic Aperol Spritz by adding soda water to create a lighter, more effervescent drink. Collins glasses offer an elegant way to serve vodka-based spritzes like the Italian Vodka Spritz which combines citrusy liqueurs and sparkling wine. No matter what type of contemporary cocktail you choose to enjoy, it’s important to use proper glassware that both looks good and enhances your drinking experience!Flavors
The traditional spritz is a bright and zesty cocktail made with prosecco, Aperol or Campari, and soda. The flavor profile of this drink is one of balanced sweetness and bitterness. You’ll get a hint of orange blossom from the Aperol or Campari, along with notes of herbs and spices like cardamom or coriander seed. There’s also subtle tones from the sparkling wine that gives it an effervescent quality.
It’s easy to customize your own contemporary spritz by swapping out ingredients for different flavors. For example, you could try substituting vodka for prosecco for a lighter yet more intense taste experience. Or if you’re looking for something more complex in flavor, add muddled citrus fruits such as oranges or lemons to give a sweet-tart aroma & taste. Don’t forget to add some fresh herbs like mint or thyme – these provide an extra layer of flavor complexity!
3 tips for Making Your Spritz
- When selecting a Prosecco for this drink, look for one with a low alcohol content so that the Aperol’s flavor is not overpowered by the fizziness of the Prosecco.
- Use high-quality ingredients to make sure your Spritz Cocktail is as delicious and flavorful as possible.
- If you don’t have any soda water or club soda on hand, sparkling mineral water can be used as an alternativ.
