NOW EXPERIENCING:Move over Aperol, here are 7 other Spritzes to try
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Move over Aperol, here are 7 other Spritzes to try

Read time 4 Mins

Posted 09 Feb 2023

By
Emily Reed

Five of the best and easiest Spritz cocktails to make

They’re fun, bubbly, customisable and so damn easy to throw together when you’re hosting a house party. Let’s get spritzy!

We think it’s always a good time to round up some mates and mix up some drinks for the group, whether that’s a backyard barbie, catching up on the couch or an all-out party. And what drink could be simpler or more crowd-pleasing than the Spritz?  

Ready for a quick history on this classic drink? The Spritz, generally speaking, is a type of cocktail made popular in Italy. The style dates back to the 19th century when most of Europe was ruled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, including northern Italy. The soldiers who travelled south to Italy from Austria weren’t the biggest fans of the local white wine because it was far stronger than the beer they were used to back home, so they diluted the wine using bubbly water. Hello Spritz! Fun fact: the word ‘spritz’ is German for ‘splash’, and this name was given to the way Austrian soldiers prepared the Italian wine they were drinking. Long story short, you can think of a Spritz as a customisable cocktail, typically made with prosecco, a splash of fruit juice or liqueur, and sparkling water or soda. 

Today, the Aperol Spritz is by far the most popular thanks to some clever marketing and everyone falling (even more) in love with Italy after The White Lotus. But there’s a whole world of Spritzes out there worth exploring – starting with the seven we’ve rounded up here. They’re fun, fresh and the perfect drink to enjoy while entertaining, but don’t take our word for it – discover it for yourself when you take these recipes for a spritzy spin. And so, here are five fabulous, fuss-free Spritzes you need to have up your sleeve the next time you all get together. 

Limoncello Spritz
1. Limoncello SpritzThis lemony cocktail will transport you to Venice the moment you take your first sip. Often overshadowed by its more popular counterpart, Aperol Spritz, the Limoncello Spritz uses limoncello – an Italian liqueur – instead of Aperol and mixes it in different ratios. You can’t go anywhere in Italy without seeing limoncello on the menu, and thank goodness for that because it’s damn delicious. Produced in southern Italy, generally along the Amalfi Coast, by big brands and nonnas alike, limoncello can be enjoyed as is or in a Spritz like this. Love it lemony? Add more limoncello. Something more subdued? Add extra prosecco or even soda water.   
2. Elderflower Basil Spritz Ava Chandler-Matthews, founder of sunscreen brand Ultra Violette, knows how to make the perfect summer cocktail. This Elderflower Basil Spritz combines the fun and colour of a pitcher cocktail with the sophistication of a glass of Champagne. If a courtyard soiree with your nearest and dearest is in the diary this weekend, consider this cocktail a winner. Not only does it offer a fresh, floral garden-appropriate taste, but it’s also a pitcher cocktail, which means one mix makes many drinks – perfect for entertaining. Our tip? Do a little fruit slicing and ice preparation prior to your guests arriving so all you need to do is top them up as the good times roll. In terms of taste, the elderflower offers a lemon-like and grassy touch, while the peppery basil and lemon add some zest. That’s fresh! And if some people are anti-basil, stick with the traditional Elderflower Spritz, AKA the Hugo Spritz. 
3. Blood Orange Non-Alcoholic SpritzAn Aperol Spritz but make it zero alcohol. It’s zesty, bubbly and damn refreshing – a perfect bev to sip when you’re the designated driver, but still want to get among the Spritz action. The key ingredients are Lyre’s Orange Sec – crafted to capture the essence of an orange liqueur like triple sec –  and Italian Orange – a bitter orange aperitif that mimics the taste of Campari. This is quick and easy, like all good Spritzes should be – just mix everything together in a glass filled with ice and chuck a sprig of rosemary and a slice of orange on top – done!
4. Gin & Blanc Vermouth SpritzThe hero in this Spritz is amaro, a bitter liqueur from Italy’s city of Bologna created in the late 19th century by a guy named Stanislao Cobianchi. The recipe contains 40 different botanicals, which come together to create a sweet, citrusy and herbaceous liqueur that go perfectly with gin and vermouth. Inspired by a MonteNegroni, this Spritz starts with gin, vermouth and liqueur, but swaps the Campari (included in a traditional Negroni) for the amaro we mentioned above. Then we add some sparkling wine (any old bottle of prosecco will do the job) and soda to make it spritzy. Don’t be afraid to play around with the ratios to suit your personal preferences – if you’d like it a little weaker, cut down on the gin or vermouth and be a bit more generous with the soda water. The rest is up to you!
5. Cosmo SpritzFor this Spritz, we turned to model, TV presenter and speech pathologist Bec Judd to show us how it’s done. According to Bec, this fun little number tastes like a zingy, fizzy twist on the OG Cosmo – it’s refreshing, not too sweet and perfect for entertaining. Sign us up! Two things to keep in mind when getting your Cosmo Spritz on: make a big batch and serve from a big glass dispenser – this means less work hosting and more time sipping with your friends. Just make sure someone does an ice run before the party kicks into gear. The second thing? Pair your Spritz with something yum; Bec suggests a tasty summer salad and generous grazing spread. Pass the prosciutto! 
6. Pink Grapefruit Spritz A summer Spritz with a grapefruit twist. Sure, rosé vermouth might feel a little niche, but it’s going to change up your Spritz game in a big way. Try mixing it with pomegranate juice, ice and ginger ale, or give this recipe a go. Get your hands on a good quality grapefruit tonic or soda to give this drink a delightfully bitter finish. Back to rosé vermouth – it’s a surprisingly versatile fortified wine, and even though we’ve included it in a Spritz here, it can be just as tasty on its own when poured over ice on a hot day.
7. Pink Gin Spritz We’re calling it, pink gin is by far one of the most fun spirits doing the rounds. It already looks and tastes the part, but if you want to take it one step further, then go ham on the berry fruits found in its flavour profile – strawberries, raspberries and blackcurrants (and remember: fresh is best). Feel free to customise this recipe depending on the taste you’re after; you could skip the lemonade and opt for a berry-flavoured, elderflower or grapefruit tonic, and generally just experiment by adding layers to your pink gin cocktail to find a winning combination.
Shop related products
Villa MassaLimoncello 500mL
Limoncello 500mL
$58.99 each
 
MaschioProsecco
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Prosecco
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$12 per bottle Non-Member: $13.99 each
 
CapiLemon Soda 250mL
Lemon Soda 250mL
 
image credits: Michael Pham (photography) Bridget Wald (styling)
Authour image
Emily ReedEmily is a Melbourne-based writer partial to a good pét nat. Her hobbies include lining up songs on Spotify at house parties and hovering near cheese platters.
Tags
CocktailsAperitifs & VermouthSummerNon-alcoholicGinFruityEntertainingEasy
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