9 Spritzes to Try Today

Hugo Spritz Image:
Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

It's unlikely you've let the last several summers pass by without sampling an Aperol Spritz. The bubbly orange cocktail has had a ubiquitous presence on bar and restaurant menus, at backyard parties, and more.

But the Spritz as a category encompasses so much more than the omnipresent orange cocktail. Its definition has morphed as it's moved out of its home country of Italy. In its most classic form, the Spritz is an aperitivo cocktail made with a bitter liqueur, prosecco and a splash of sparkling water. These days, one of those components might be changed (for instance, using a sweet liqueur rather than bitter, or a still wine rather than sparkling) or omitted entirely. Additional ingredients or flavors are commonly added. The possibilities are infinite.

The takeaway is, you can feel free to throw all the old rules out the window. If the drink is boozy and bubbly and appropriate for late-afternoon imbibing, it's fair to call it a Spritz.

These are 9 of our favorites.

Aperol Spritz

Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

The most common member of the Spritz genre, this simple cocktail is seen everywhere these days. To make it, just remember the formula 3-2-1: three ounces of prosecco, two of Aperol and one of soda water. For a fun twist, try using different bitter liqueurs instead of Aperol; artichoke-based Cynar is a great choice.

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Bicicletta

Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

Hewing much to the same form as its more popular Aperol cousin, this classic aperitivo uses still white wine rather than prosecco and Campari instead of Aperol. Other than that, the formula remains the same. A pair of orange slices provide the "wheels" of the drink's name.

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St-Germain Cocktail

Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

This drink takes the Spritz for a sweeter turn, using elderflower liqueur St-Germain instead of the Italian bitter. It can be made either with still wine, as it was in its original iteration, or with prosecco for a more festive touch. Finish it off with soda water for additional bubbles and length.

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Channel Orange

Annie Park

This Spritz variation comes from Seattle's amaro-focused bar Barnacle. Much more complex than the average Spritz, this one calls for using three different bitter liqueurs, plus grapefruit soda in place of soda water to make those flavors pop. Prosecco, however, is a constant.

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Continue to 5 of 9 below.
Aperitivo #1

Steven Freihon

This recipe comes courtesy of New York City's award-winning bar Dante. Tequila and Aperol form its base, while Lillet blanc and bianco vermouth provide the wine-based component. Orange juice, passion fruit puree, mango vinegar and orange flower water join in, and it's all topped with sparkling water and a spray of orange blossom water.

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Tomato Spritz

Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

Tomatoes provide the main flavor component of this unusual Spritz, in the form of both tomato water and a shrub. Gin and vermouth provide the boozy backbone, topped with prosecco and soda water.

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Negroni Sbagliato

Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

If you love a Negroni, this large-format take on the classic cocktail's fizzy version will be your new summer favorite. One bottle each of Campari, sweet vermouth and prosecco go into the punch bowl along with ice and whatever seasonal fruit you like.

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Scarlet Spritz

Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

This cocktail plays host to a plethora of unexpected flavors. Strawberry-infused Aperol, Lillet blanc and rhubarb bitters are stirred and strained into an absinthe-rinsed glass, then topped with sparkling wine. A garnish of a lemon twist and a strawberry hint at the fruity flavors within.

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Continue to 9 of 9 below.
Hugo Spritz

Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

Essentially a riff on the St-Germain cocktail, this Spritz calls for a muddled mint sprig to be added to the mix of elderflower liqueur, prosecco and soda water. An additional mint sprig and a lemon wheel make for a bright and festive garnish.

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