Few drinks taste like summer the way spritz cocktails do. Always made with soda water and/or sparkling wine, most spritzes contain a bitter liqueur as well. The most common of these summer cocktails is the Aperol Spritz, an Italian favorite that originated in the 1920s. Its popularity spread all around Europe – it’s the quintessential drink for soaking up the sun on patios.
In the 1990s, Aperol updated its marketing campaign. The bright orange liqueur seemed to spell happiness, and soon the Aperol Spritz became the low-ABV cocktail of the day.
The Aperol Spritz wasn’t the first spritz to be created, though. Spritz cocktails originated in the 1800s. The Habsburg family had taken over Veneto, Italy, and they weren’t accustomed to Italian wine. They would spray water into their wine to make it more palatable, and the first spritz was born.
Today there are a myriad of spritz cocktail recipes to make at home. You don’t need to wait till summertime either. Spritzes make delightful spring cocktails, the balance of sweetness, bitterness, and fizz brightening any meal before, after, or during.
1. Aperol Spritz
Originating in Venice in 1920, the Aperol Spritz is a perfectly balanced cocktail. Despite its vibrant red appearance, this aperitivo is not overly sweet. Combining the bitter Italian liqueur Aperol with sweet prosecco and sparkling soda water, it creates one of the finest low-alcohol cocktails.
2. Hugo Spritz
The Hugo Spritz, a milder variation of the Aperol Spritz, substitutes elderflower liqueur for Aperol while retaining prosecco and soda water. It introduces a touch of mint for a herbaceous twist. This delightful and bubbly cocktail is an ideal choice for summer.
3. Negroni Sbagliato
While Sbagliato translates to mistaken in Italian, the drink does not have the taste of an accident. This spritz differs greatly from the intensely bitter Negroni. The combination of Campari, sweet vermouth, and sparkling wine produces a refreshing and light cocktail that can be savored throughout the year.
4. Pimm’s Spritz
The Pimm’s Spritz is an Italian version of the English Pimm’s Cup cocktail, combining herbal, sweet, citrus, and sparkling flavors. It features Pimm’s No. 1 gin as the bitter liqueur, mixed with lemonade and prosecco for a refreshing summertime drink.
5. Suzie Americano
The Suzie Americano puts a contemporary spin on the classic Americano cocktail. Crafted with the delightful Suze gentian liqueur, bianco vermouth, and a splash of club soda, this lower-alcohol libation offers a refreshing and complex flavor profile.
6. Riviera Spritz
You don’t have to spend your summers on the French or Italian Riviera to enjoy this summer cocktail. The Riviera Spritz is made with Aperol, Campari, St-Germain, and soda water for a refreshing, low-ABV spritz recipe.
7. White Negroni Sbagliato
A riff on the Negroni Sbagliato, the White Negroni Sbagliato is a lighter alternative to its cousin. Made with low-proof Swiss liqueur Suze, bianco vermouth, and prosecco, it’s sweet, herbaceous, and fresh, making an ideal addition to your favorite spring cocktails.
8. Lillet L’Orange Spritz
