Spritz Season Is Here. Add These Refreshing Recipes to Your Rotation.

We’re big fans of seasonal drinking here at Wine Enthusiast and now as we welcome spring and eagerly await summer, it’s time for a menu refresh. The two beverages that are top of mind? Spritzes and spritzers—low-abv cocktails that are meant to be enjoyed outdoors, with the sun shining.

While the spritz and the spritzer sound similar, they are in fact two different drinks. The spritzer is essentially two ingredients—three parts wine and one part soda—with various garnishes. Meanwhile, the spritz is composed of three primary ingredients: an amaro, sparkling wine and a splash of soda. 

These cocktails may taste best at a table outside in an Italian piazza, but they are also very satisfying and easy to mix at home. We rounded up our favorites below, from the classic Aperol spritz to the flavorful Spanish Kalimotxo and much more.

The Aperol Spritz

The hero of Italian happy hour, the Aperol spritz is a sunny, sweet and bitter cocktail that speaks to the platonic idea of refreshment. Typically served as an after work drink or before dinner aperitif, the cocktail is a simple mix of Prosecco, Aperol and club soda. We’re partial to a 3-2-1 ratio of the aforementioned ingredients, but switch up the volumes to find the taste that suits you. 

The Campari Spritz

If an Aperol Spritz is too sweet for you, consider a Campari spritz. Made with Campari, a classic red bitter from Northern Italy, it has a more intense herbal flavor along with the same refreshing bubbles of its lighter-alcohol cousin. 

The Hugo Spritz

Arguably the trendiest spritz of the past couple of years, the Hugo spritz has gained legions of fans for its delicately botanical flavor, courtesy of the elderflower liqueur St. Germain and muddled mint—flavors that elegantly scream summer.

The St. Germain Spritz

Love elderflower, but hate mint? Then the St. Germain spritz is for you. It’s mixed with club soda, Prosecco, St. Germain and a lemon twist for a very subtle flavor profile.