9 Spritz Cocktail Recipes That Go Beyond Aperol
Remember your spritz ABC's: Aperitif + bubbly + club soda!
There's no denying it: Spritz cocktails are the ultimate summer cocktail. They're refreshing, bubbly, sweet, yet bitter. Drinking an Aperol Spritz instantly makes us feel like we're on an Italian vacation during aperitivo hour, TBH. Best of all? Spritzes just happen to be a family of naturally low-ABV cocktails that don't require any crazy ingredients or tricky proportions. All you have to do is remember your spritz ABC's and 123's: Amaro + bubbly + club soda in a 3-2-1 proportion. That's it! And thanks to these 9 spritz cocktails in hand, you'll be feeling pretty bubbly yourself in no time. đ
So what is a spritz, anyway? Hailing from Northern Italy (where Prosecco is produced), the spritz was created by Austrian soldiers who found they needed to dilute the wines of the region to resemble the alcohol levels of the beers they were used to drinking back home. "Spritz," which means "splash" in German, is a nod to the fact that they'd add a splash of club soda to their Prosecco. With the additions of popular bitter liqueurs called amaro (like Campari, Aperol, and Cynar), Sele, the spritz was born, and the rest is (boozy) history.
Depending on how you like your cocktails, there's a spritz for everyone. Love bitter, herbal flavors? Campari (which is on the more bitter end of Italian aperitifs) is the key to a negroni (just add Prosecco to get a sbagliato). Want something floral and sweet? You'll love our St. Germain spritz that swaps in elderflower liqueur for the traditional amaro. Perhaps you want to keep the good vibes going into fall? Our apple cider spritz goes to show that Aperol pretty much improves everything.
Aperol Spritz
Aperol is a bright red amaro made with flavorful, herbal ingredients that give it a distinct taste that might remind you of burnt orange and tart rhubarb. After hearing those flavor notes, it's probably immediately obvious why, when paired with Prosecco and a bit of soda water, it makes an amazing cocktail to drink for spring.
Get the Aperol Spritz recipe.
Americano
There's no doubt about itâwe're living in the year of the Negroni. But if you look closer at the lineage of everyoneâs favorite viral drink, youâll find that the Americano is just as sophisticated and even easier to make at home. Itâs a simple drink with just three ingredients: Campari, club soda, and the best sweet vermouth you can find, topped with an orange slice. For those new to the world of Campari and vermouth-based cocktails, think of them as a pre-dinner beverage that'll pair perfectly with a romantic dinner. đ
Get the Americano recipe.
St. Germain Spritz
If you're a fan of refreshing, low-alcohol drinks like the ever-popular Aperol spritz, you're going to love this sweet and floral cocktail.
Get the St. Germain Spritz recipe.
Negroni
Something about the bittersweet, botanical flavors of the Negroni make us feel like we're on vacation. This classic Italian cocktail amps up the notes of juniper in gin with sweet vermouth (a type of fortified wine) and herbaceous Campari. The best part? No crazy ratios to memorize. Just stir equal parts of all three and thatâs it! And while it's not technically a spritz (it lacks the bubbly), you can turn yours into a Negroni Sbagliato by topping it off with Prosecco.
Get the Negroni recipe.
Apple Cider Spritz
Waltzing right into fall with spiced cider and a kiss of pumpkin spice, Aperolâs orange-herbal aspects bring out the best in the cider flavors. To make a big batch, make a pitcher of the cider, Aperol, and pumpkin spice mix, then just add to glasses with ice, a garnish, and Prosecco for a cocktail as crisp and bright as the best fall day.
Get the Apple Cider Spritz recipe.
Campari Spritz
Allow this to be an introduction to the perfect summer cocktail: Campari spritz. This champagne cocktail is made with a chilled, refreshing combination of Campari, Prosecco, sparkling water, and orange juice. No need to make syrup or get out a cocktail shaker, this Venetian, wine-based cocktail is simply stirred over ice. It's the perfect brunch cocktail! Get ready to take a nice big sip and say, âAhhâŚâ
Get the Campari Spritz recipe from The Pioneer Woman.
Aperol Spritz Granita
This fun (frozen!) twist on Aperol spritz stays perfectly cold till the end, thanks to the flaky shards of citrus ice in the granita. Just like the Italian aperitivo, it's topped off with fizzy Prosecco.
Get the Aperol Spritz Granita recipe from Good Housekeeping.
Strawberry Meyer Lemon Spritz
Fresh strawberries form the base of this sweet-tart sipper that's spiked with gin and a bottle of sparkling wine. Meyer lemon slices make it extra special!
Get the Strawberry Meyer Lemon Spritz recipe from Good Housekeeping.
Blood Orange Spritz
Spritzes aren't just for the dead heat of summer. We took our favorite summer refresher and gave it a wintery twist with a splash of blood orange juice so you can enjoy no matter the time of year.
Get the Blood Orange Spritz recipe from Good Housekeeping.
Mackenzie Filson is a food writer and contributing digital food producer at Delish. Her favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate-pine and if wine was an astrological sign she'd be a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. She's never met a bag of Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos she didn't eat in one sitting.
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