16 Spritz Cocktails: Recipes and Tips

Spritz cocktails are beautifully bubbly beverages that have become staples of sun-drenched Italian summers. Traditionally served as an aperitif, these low-ABV drinks typically combine effervescent ingredients like Prosecco, soda water, and a bitter liqueur for a perfect balance of bitter, sweet, and sparkling. 

The bubbly magic of the spritz lies in its easy-to-remember formula. Once you understand how the puzzle fits together, it becomes a foundation for countless tasty variations. Different spirits, liqueurs, sparkling wines, fruits, herbs, and seasonal flavours can all be used.  

From citrus-led pours to herbal infusions or fruit-forward cocktails, there are many types of spritz to try. So, dive into our selection of spritz variations, and before you know it, you’ll be inventing new recipes of your own.

What is a spritz cocktail?

There are many cocktail customs around the world, but few are as famous as Italy’s aperitivo culture. It’s a daily ritual that signifies the end of the working day, and the spritz cocktail is often the star of the show. With its simple mix of sparkling wine, bittersweet aperitif and a splash of soda water, the classic spritz is designed to be sipped before an evening meal. It’s light and refreshing, and there’s a riff for every mood.  

The Aperol Spritz is arguably the most popular, and its charm and appeal come down to ease and accessibility. It’s quick to make, and it doesn’t require any special equipment other than a jigger and a cocktail spoon. It follows an easy-to-remember formula of Prosecco, Aperol, and soda water, and you can mix it straight in the glass.  

The spritz is the cocktail recipe for when you’d rather be chilling with your friends instead of mixing complicated drinks.

The classic spritz formula

The standard spritz recipe is as easy as 1, 2, 3, except the ratios are 3-2-1—90 ml sparkling wine, 60 ml liqueur, and 30 ml soda water. This simple recipe creates consistently well-balanced cocktails that are easy to replicate and experiment with. Keep it classic, adjust the ratios to suit your taste, or lighten the overall alcohol content of the cocktail. Once you understand this formula, it becomes a framework rather than a rule. 

Prosecco is traditionally used in Italy, and it provides a delightfully crisp and fruity base. Next up is an Italian aperitif, such as Aperol or Campari, to add bittersweet citrus and herbal notes. To finish, a splash of soda water is added for lightness. Give the cocktail a quick stir, then garnish and serve. An orange slice will work in most cases, but other citrus fruits, tropical fruits, fresh berries, or fragrant herbs will add new depth and dimension to your spritz. 

How to build the perfect spritz 

1. Fill your glass with ice: Fill a large wine glass and fill it with lots of ice to keep the spritz cold and ensure slow dilution. 
2. Add sparkling wine first: Pour in Prosecco first to create a bubbly base. Doing this first prevents the aperitif from settling at the bottom of the glass. 
3. Add the aperitif or liqueur: Add the aperitif slowly and watch as it creates a beautiful gradient of color.  
4. Top with soda water: Top with a small splash of soda water to lighten and lift the cocktail. 
5. Garnish and stir gently: Add a citrus slice or peel and any additional herbs, then give a gentle stir to combine without losing the bubbles. 

1. Aperol Spritz

Easy to master, this recipe yields a gorgeous drink that is everything you’d want on a warm summer afternoon. But it’s about more than the gorgeous taste; it’s an Italian way of life and the daily ritual of aperitivo hour with family and friends. 

Get in on this popular after-work tradition and recreate a bit of Italy in your own garden. We suggest garnishing your Aperol (opens in new window) Spritz with fresh orange slices and pairing it with a cheese platter and cured meats for the ultimate aperitivo hour!  Ready to make this tradition your own? Order a bottle of Aperol (opens in new window) and get mixing! 

Why the Aperol Spritz is everyone’s sunny-day staple

Aperol stands out for its approachability. Its flavour profile is simple and its alcohol content is lower. Sweetness outweighs bitterness, creating a pleasant and balanced mouthfeel.

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Read next: 21 Aperol Cocktail Recipes to Try Today 

2. Campari Spritz

The Campari Spritz is another sparkling, sophisticated cocktail that’s been enjoyed all around Europe for ages. This classic Italian spritz cocktail is made with just three simple ingredients: Campari (opens in new window), Prosecco, and club soda. It’s really no wonder that its bold and bitter-sweet flavour profile has captured the hearts and taste buds of aperitivo cocktail enthusiasts worldwide.   

More inspo: Drink Like an Italian: 10 Campari Cocktails to Try

3. Sarti Spritz

The Sarti Spritz is a rising star in the world of bubbly beauties, bringing bold red hues and a crisp, citrussy kick to the glass. Made with Sarti Rosa (opens in new window), Prosecco, and soda water, it delivers that perfect balance of bitter and bright while feeling a little lighter than some of its spritz cousins. 

This modern take on the Italian classic has quickly earned a place at golden-hour hangouts everywhere. Garnish it with a lemon twist for extra zing and pair your Sarti Spritz with prosciutto and melon or salty snacks to nail the aperitivo vibe at home. 

4. Lillet Spritz  

Lillet is a French aromatised aperitif wine. It consists of wine fortified with citrus liqueurs, and there are many varieties to choose from, including Lillet Blanc, Rosé and Rouge, depending on the base grapes. Lillet has a little more alcohol than a glass of wine and the French usually enjoy it chilled neat, on the rocks, or as a Lillet Spritz with a measure of soda water or sparkling mineral water in the mix.   

Ingredients 

• 75 ml Lillet Blanc 

• 75 ml Soda water 

• Slice of orange, to garnish 

• Ice 

Method 

1. Fill a wine glass with ice cubes 
2. Add Lillet Blanc and top with club soda 
3. Garnish with an orange slice and serve 

Read next: What is an Aperitif and When is it Served? 

5. Tomato Spritz

The Tomato Spritz is a tangy, garden-fresh twist on the classic spritz, pairing herbal gin and vermouth with bright tomato flavours for a savoury sip that feels both unexpected and stylish. 

Ingredients 

• 10 ml Bulldog Gin (opens in new window) 

• 60 ml Cinzano Bianco Vermouth (opens in new window) 

• 45 ml Tomato juice 

• 10 ml Cherry tomato shrub 

• Soda water (to top) 

• Prosecco (to top) 

Method 

1. Fill a glass with ice 
2. Add the gin, vermouth, tomato juice, and cherry tomato shrub 
3. Stir gently to combine 
4. Top with equal parts soda water and Prosecco 
5. Garnish with a cherry tomato or fresh basil sprig, if desired 

Read all about making a shrub here –  it’s typically made with fruit like berries, but using tomatoes is just as easy.     

Tomato lovers, rejoice! 10 Tasty Tomato Cocktails to Try at Home 

6. Cynar Spritz

When you first learn that Cynar is an artichoke liqueur, you’ll probably expect a bitter herbal flavour profile, and you wouldn’t be wrong. But the fascinating thing about cynarine (an active ingredient in artichokes) is that it takes your taste buds on a bit of a ride…  

If you’re a fan of artichokes, you’ll know that any food or drink you consume after eating them tastes sweeter. And that’s exactly what happens when you drink Cynar! Now add some Prosecco and club soda to make a Cynar Spritz and get ready to have your worldview shaken — in the best way possible. 

All about Cynar: A Beginner’s Guide to Cynar & the Best Cynar Cocktails 

7. Hugo Spritz

Made with elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, and club soda, the Hugo Spritz is a delightful floral drink that packs a flavourful punch at a nice low ABV. This makes it the perfect after-work drink if you’re living the lighter side of life. If you do want to give it an extra kick, you can add a bit of gin, but this cooling cocktail is equally delicious without it.  

Go floral! 13 Tasty Elderflower Cocktail Recipes You’ll Adore 

8. Americano  

The Americano is a gorgeous bitter-sweet blend of the orange and spice flavours of Campari, complemented by the fruity and spicy character of Cinzano Vermouth Rosso (opens in new window), charged with effervescent club soda to make a languid, long drink that’s a favourite in cafés throughout Italy. Summery sips do not come classier than this.   

9. Limoncello Spritz

Paired with Prosecco and club soda for a beautifully bubbly finish, the light and lovely Limoncello Spritz is the flirty cousin of the classic Aperol Spritz. We love that adding a few sparkles to this sunny liqueur creates a tall, cool summer spritz cocktail that can be sipped at leisure.  

More lemony goodness: 11 Lively Limoncello Cocktail Recipes for all Lemon Lovers 

10. Non-Alcoholic Spritzer

If you’re looking for spritz cocktail recipes with little to no alcohol content, we’ve got to introduce you to the Non-Alcoholic Spritzer. To be fair, there are countless variations you could try, but we really love our go-to Grapefruit Spritzer recipe.  It’s always fresh, delicious, and summery to the core. 

Learn more here: What is ABV Anyway? 

11. Citrus Spritz

A captivating take on the traditional spritz formula, the Citrus Spritz (opens in new window) mixes Courvoisier (opens in new window) cognac with orange juice and soda water for a bubbly, fruit-filled experience. Light and lovely, it’s a perfect summer sipper. Pair it with bruschetta or goat cheese crostini, so the fresh, bright flavours can enhance the cocktail’s citrus notes.

Learn more: Campari Spritz (Aperitivo Hour, Culture and Tradition)

12. Strawberry Daiquiri Spritz Mocktail

The Strawberry Daiquiri Spritz Mocktail is a zesty pink drink that always hits the mark at a picnic or garden party, blending fresh berries with alcohol-free gin and crisp lemonade for a bright, bubbly sip.

Ingredients 

• Handful of hulled strawberries 

• 60 ml Alcohol-free gin 

• 180 ml Ice-cold lemonade 

• Slice of fresh lime, to garnish 

• Ice 

Method 

1. Blitz the strawberries and alcohol-free gin in a blender 
2. Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with ice 
3. Top with lemonade 
4. Garnish with a slice of lime 

13. White Wine Spritzer

The White Wine Spritzer may skip the traditional aperitif addition, but its bubbly nature still places it firmly in the spritz family. It’s a super-easy, low-sugar cocktail to make when you’re in a rush and not too keen on using a whole bunch of ingredients. The White Wine Spritzer is also a top choice among those who lunch for a reason ― it’s light, delicious, and simple to pour.  

Ingredients 

• 90 ml Chilled white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio are solid picks)  

• 30 ml Cold soda water or sparkling water  

• Lemon or lime wedge, to garnish (optional) 

• Ice  

Method 

1. Fill your glass with ice 
2. Pour in the wine 
3. Top with soda using a 3:1 wine-to-soda ratio  
4. Garnish with a citrus wedge if preferred 

Cheers, dears! Aperitivo Hour Classics (Exploring Italy’s Best Cocktails & Recipes) 

14. Elderflower Spritz

Looking for low-ABV sparkling wine cocktails that still come to the party with plenty of flavour and personality? Here’s one you want, bestie.  

Ingredients 

• 60 ml Elderflower liqueur 

• 90 ml Dry sparkling wine 

• 60 ml Soda water 

• Cucumber slice or lemon wheel, to garnish 

• Ice 

Method 

1. Fill a Collins glass with ice 
2. Add the elderflower liqueur, sparkling wine, and soda water 
3. Stir gently to combine 
4. Garnish with cucumber or lemon 

Blooming lovely: 13 Tasty Elderflower Cocktails You’ll Adore

15. Sparkling Pomegranate Kombucha

For a summery clinker with a hydrating, gut-healthy twist, try our Sparkling Pomegranate Kombucha. To make a batch for four friends, do like this:  

Ingredients 

• 1–2 Slices fresh ginger 

• ½ cup Pomegranate juice 

• 700 ml Kombucha 

• Pomegranate arils, to garnish 

• Ice 

Method 

1. Muddle the ginger in the bottom of a pitcher 
2. Add the pomegranate juice and kombucha 
3. Stir gently to combine 
4. Pour into serving glasses 
5. Garnish with pomegranate arils 

Bellisima! Discover Venetian Aperitivo Culture with the Aperol Spritz

16. Spicy Pineapple Tequila Spritz

Tequila and pineapple juice are such a sunny combination, but the Spicy Pineapple Tequila Spritz might just be the most joyful of them all. Start by making a jalapeño simple syrup using the recipe from our easy guide to syrups. Then build this beauty:  

Ingredients 

• 30 ml Jalapeño simple syrup 

• 90 ml Pineapple juice 

• 60 ml Blanco tequila (opens in new window) 

• Sparkling water, to top 

• Squeeze of fresh lime 

• Lime wedge and tajín seasoning for the rim (optional) 

• Ice 

Method 

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice 
2. Add the jalapeño syrup, pineapple juice, and tequila 
3. Shake until chilled 
4. Strain into a serving glass over fresh ice 
5. Top with sparkling water and a squeeze of lime 
6. Optional: rim the glass with lime and tajín before serving 

Preparation tips for perfect spritzes

Techniques for balancing flavours

• Start with the base: Begin with your chosen spirit, such as Aperol (opens in new window), Campari (opens in new window), or another aperitif. Adjust the sweetness by adding sugar syrup or fruit juice—citrus juices like orange or grapefruit work particularly well to balance bitterness.
• Mind the bitterness: Use bitters sparingly to add a layer of complexity without overwhelming the other flavours. Start with a few dashes and taste as you go, gradually increasing if needed.
• Fizzy finish: Top off your spritz with sparkling water, soda, or Prosecco. This adds effervescence and can lighten the overall drink. Adjust the amount based on your preference for a more subtle or pronounced bubbly effect.

Learn more: What is an Aperitif and When is it Served?

Glassware & garnish recommendations

For glassware, opt for wine glasses or large, round glasses that allow for plenty of ice and garnish. Speaking of garnishes, fresh citrus slices, herbs, and edible flowers not only add visual appeal but also enhance the drink’s aroma and flavour.

Spritz cocktail pairing suggestions

Foods that complement spritz vibes

• Salty snacks: The bubbly nature of spitzed drinks pairs wonderfully with salty foods like olives, crisps, salted nuts, or a well-curated charcuterie board. The saltiness balances out the flavours of the drink, making each sip more tasty.
• Light canapés: Dishes like bruschetta with fresh tomatoes, seafood ceviche, or a crisp caprese salad are perfect companions. Their light, fresh flavours complement the spritz without overwhelming the palate.
• Main courses: For a more substantial meal, consider pairing with grilled fish, seafood pasta, or a vibrant garden salad. The acidity and effervescence of the spritz can cut through rich flavours and cleanse the palate.

Also see: Celebrate National Spritz Day with the Perfect Summer Spritz 

Occasion-based pairing ideas

• Brunch: Spritzes are ideal for brunch, pairing seamlessly with dishes like avocado toast, Eggs Benedict, or a light fruit salad. The light and effervescent nature of the drink balances the richness of typical brunch fare.
• Outdoor parties: Perfect for alfresco dining, these easy clinkers complement a variety of finger foods such as sliders, flatbreads, or a diverse charcuterie board. They’re great for sipping casually while enjoying the fresh air.
• Casual gatherings: For relaxed evenings with friends, pair your spritz with tapas or simple hors d’oeuvres like stuffed mushrooms, mini quiches, or crostini.

There you have it — a short and fizzy introduction to the wonderful world of spritz cocktails. Sign up for our newsletter (opens in new window) to get more inspiration for summery sips. In the meantime, visit the Aperol (opens in new window), Campari (opens in new window), Bulldog Gin (opens in new window) and Sarti (opens in new window) websites for more gorgeous recipe ideas…