Entertaining

The 5 Spritzes of Summer

Sara Carone, ReserveBar Staff Writer

Are you looking for a refreshing cocktail to cool down by the pool or serve at a summer night dinner party? Ditch the espresso martinis until fall and dive into summer with these five easy-to-make spritzes sure to make a splash!

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Aperol Spritz

Whether packing for an Italian getaway or manifesting one, you can never go wrong with the classic Aperol Spritz.

Created in 1919 Aperol originated as an aperitivo, a pre-meal drink meant to “open” the stomach for appetite. The Aperol Spritz was invented in the 1950s and rose to fame in the U.S. in the early 2000s, cementing itself as a summer cocktail staple. Today, many enjoy an Aperol Spritz during a tradition of the same name; an aperitivo, an Italian ritual to wind down and connect with family and friends before dinner.

This bittersweet drink is made with only four ingredients using the 3-2-1 method: add three parts Prosecco, two parts Aperol, and one splash of soda to your glass. Top with an orange slice as a garnish and you’re ready to serve!As for the name, it’s commonly agreed that the first use of “bourbon” to describe this specific type of whiskey happened in Kentucky’s Western Citizen newspaper in 1821. Why they used it or where the inspiration came from is lost to history. Americans had been producing whiskey since at least the Revolutionary War, when imports of rum and other favorites fell off during the conflict. Dr. James Crow introduced and standardized the sour mash process in 1835, and in 1897, the U.S. government created “bottled in bond” standards to cut down on dangerous additives and mislabeling. The last major decision – other than Prohibition and repeal – that affected what we now know as bourbon was President William Howard Taft’s move in 1909 to make terms like bourbon and rye related to the grains in the mash.

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St-Germain Spritz (Bonus: Hugo Spritz)

St-Germain, a French liqueur made with up to 1,000 handpicked elderflowers in each bottle, is named as an ode to the Saint-Germain-des-Prés region of Paris. With tasting notes of pear and honeysuckle, it’s the perfect addition to any summer floral drink!

To make this drink, you will add 1.5 parts St-Germain, two parts Prosecco, and two parts soda water to an ice-filled glass. Top this beautiful drink with a lemon twist and edible flowers to garnish.

Bonus: Meet the St. Germain Spritz’s cousin; The Hugo Spritz. The Hugo Spritz was invented in the early 2000’s by bartender Roland Gruber, who wanted a lighter alternative to the Aperol Spritz. Originally born in the Italian Dolomites, the Hugo Spirtz’s popularity boomed throughout surrounding cities and even started to trend in the United States thanks to media like Tiktok and HBO’s “The White Lotus.”

You can use the same ingredients to make the Hugo Spritz, too! Just muddle mint leaves and 1.5 parts St-Germain before topping with 2 parts Prosecco and 2 parts soda water, garnish with a lime wedge and mint.

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Limoncello Spritz

If you’re in the mood for a sweet, citrusy drink, the Limoncello Spritz is for you! It is one that offers a beautiful citrus twist to your typical spritz when you want to very simply mix things up.

This zesty cocktail follows the same 3-2-1 method as the Aperol Spritz: add three parts Prosecco, two parts limoncello, and one part soda water to your glass. While traditionally garnished with a lemon wheel and mint, you can shake up your Limoncello Spritz by adding herbal garnishes or muddled berries.

Take it up a Notch: If you want to show off your bartending skills, you can make the Limoncello from scratch by infusing vodka with lemons and sugar! To do this, you will lightly peel 10-12 lemons and add the zest to a liter of vodka. After letting this combination sit at room temperature for a week minimum, strain the lemon zest and add the infused vodka to 1 cup of simple syrup. Let cool and enjoy your homemade Limoncello!

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Lillet Spritz

Lillet is an aromatized aperitif wine invented in the Bordeaux region of France in 1887.

The wine's unique composition of 85% wine and 15% fruit-infused liquors gives it notes of floral, orange blossom, and exotic fruit. Lillet has a higher alcohol by volume than most wines at 17%, but the Lillet Spritz is generally considered a low-alcohol cocktail due to its ingredients.

To make this cocktail, add equal parts Lillet Blanc and club soda to a wine glass filled with ice and garnish with an orange slice.

Explore Your Options: The Classic Lillet Spritz is the perfect spritz cocktail for exploring flavor variations. For instance, try replacing the orange for slices of lime and sprigs of thyme. You can also add various berries or slices of cucumber for a refreshing summer spritz!

Take your spritz to another level by adding a bottle of Lillet Rose and Lillet Rouge to your summer bar cart. Use Lillet Rose in your spritz to add a fruitier flavor to your drink or use Lillet Rouge for a richer taste, as it’s infused with dark berries and delicate spices. With 3 flavors of wine to choose from and endless garnishes, the Lillet Spritz is the perfect drink to serve friends and family at any summer celebration.

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Campari Spritz

For fans of bitter notes, look no further than the Campari Spritz. Like Aperol, Campari is a brightly colored Italian aperitivo. It was invented in 1860 by Gaspare Campari in Novara, Italy. Campari’s headquarters, based in Milan, celebrates the history and cultural impact of the liqueur and even features an art gallery full of avant-garde advertisements dating back to the late 19th century.

While the exact reason for Campari’s unique taste is unknown to most, we do know that its bitter and smokey tasting notes, as well as its high alcohol content, set it apart from other liqueurs.

The Campari Spritz follows the easy-to-use 3-2-1 formula: use three parts Prosecco, two parts Campari, and one part soda water. Add an orange slice or strawberries as a garnish to seal the deal. You can shake things up with blood orange-flavored soda water or a splash of passion fruit liqueur!

Now you’re ready to make your guests something unique and tasty for all of those remaining summer festivities. Enjoy!

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Aperol Spritz

St-Germain Spritz (Bonus: Hugo Spritz)

Limoncello Spritz

Lillet Spritz

Campari Spritz