These 16 Recipes Are Proof That The Spritz Is An All-Year-Round Cocktail MVP
Of course, spritz cocktails are the ultimate summer cocktail, but we're here to say that this popular drink has major all-year-round potential. Refreshing, bubbly, and bitter-sweet, drinking something classic like 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, and are endlessly customizable depending on what you're eating or what season it is. 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 spritz cocktails in hand, you'll be feeling pretty bubbly yourself in no time. 😎
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), 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 Campari spritz or a negroni (just add Prosecco to get a sbagliato). Want something floral and sweet? You'll love our limoncello spritz, our poolside popsicle spritzer, or our St-Germain spritz that swaps in elderflower liqueur for the traditional amaro. Perhaps you want to keep the good vibes going into fall and winter? Our apple cider spritz and cranberry-Aperol spritz recipes more than prove that Aperol pretty much improves everything.
We've even got some mocktail spritzes here that everyone can enjoy. Our grapefruit-rosemary mocktail spritz and our blood orange mocktail spritzer are proof you can enjoy a spritz even when you're abstaining from alcohol. Want even more non-alcoholic options? Check out our fave mocktails here too.
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 and summer.
Get the Aperol Spritz recipe.
Piña Colada Spritz
Some days we want a piña colada, but we don’t want to get out the blender. For these times, may we suggest the delightfully effervescent and very easy piña colada spritz? It’s fast, fuss-free, and still hits all the right notes.
Get the Piña Colada Spritz recipe.
Poolside Popsicle Spritzer
Here we swap the plain old ice in a spritz for a homemade boozy pop. As it melts, the pop infuses your drink with sweet summer flavors all while keeping it cold. So feel free to set it down during a day at the pool or at any outdoor gathering—this spritz only gets better the longer it sits.
Get the Poolside Popsicle Spritzer recipe.
Limoncello Spritz
This limoncello cocktail will transport you to Italy after just one sip. Garnish with a slice of fresh lemon and some fresh basil for herby, Italian vibes, and you've got yourself the perfect summer cocktail.
Get the Limoncello Spritz recipe.
Campari Spritz
Move over, Aperol, there’s a new spritz in town! The Campari spritz—bubbly, bitter, and very refreshing—is the perfect drink for a leisurely pre-dinner hang or happy hour with friends. With just 5 minutes and 5 ingredients, you can have this cocktail in hand ASAP.
Get the Campari Spritz recipe.
Blood Orange Mocktail Spritzer
This blood orange and ginger spritzer hits all the right notes: a little sweet, a little sour, and a little spiced. Finished off with a bouquet of fresh garnishes, it’s the perfect winter cocktail mocktail to toast with all season long.
Get the Blood Orange Mocktail Spritzer recipe.
Coconut-Pineapple Spritz
Craving a tropical vacation? This summer cocktail is for you. No matter the time of year, one sip of this coconut and pineapple spritz will transform your mindset right to a tropical beach or beautiful sunny day, making this the perfect cocktail for any season.
Get the Coconut-Pineapple Spritz recipe.
Grapefruit-Rosemary Mocktail Spritz
This easy-to-make, booze-free cocktail hits all the marks. It’s tart, herby, slightly sweet, a little smokey, and definitely an adult mocktail that isn’t too heavy on the fruit juice or sweetener. Serve with some bite-size apps, and get ready to really get the party started.
Get the Grapefruit-Rosemary Mocktail Spritz 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.
Aperol Spritz Trifle
Okay, okay, so you can't technically drink this trifle, but it's certainly one of our favorite, boozy treats to really surprise guests. This trifle draws inspiration from everybody’s favorite summer cocktail: the Aperol Spritz. This popular beverage fuses effervescent Prosecco, a bittersweet and bright Italian aperitivo, and fresh orange.
Get the Aperol Spritz Trifle recipe.
Cranberry-Aperol Spritz
Cranberry adds a festive, colorful twist to your favorite cocktail, the Aperol spritz. Still bubbly and refreshing, it will make you feel like you're sipping the drink in the Mediterranean during the wintertime. It’s a fun drink to make for friends at your holiday brunch to get everyone in the festive mood.
Get the Cranberry-Aperol Spritz recipe.
Negroni (Just Add Spagliato)
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 and herbaceous Campari. Wwhile 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.
Sugarplum Spritz
Half the fun of hosting is putting out a spread of adorable treats with even more adorable names that just happen to be delicious. That’s why we created the Sugarplum Spritz. It’s a refreshing blend of plum wine, cherry syrup, and lemon with just a dash of bitters to round it out.
Get the Sugarplum Spritz recipe.
Apple Cider Spritz
Waltzing right into fall with spiced cider and a kiss of pumpkin spice, Aperol’s orange-herbal aspects bring out the best in the cider flavors, and a little pumpkin spice makes this drink as crisp and bright as the best fall day.
Get the Apple Cider Spritz recipe.
Rudolph Spritzer
Need a perfect winter cocktail to kick off your holiday party? These cute and simple drinks are the perfect thing. A guaranteed hit, this cocktail is sure to bring plenty of merry cheer.
Get the Rudolph Spritzer recipe.
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.
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