4 Twists On The Classic Aperol Spritz For National Spritz Day
The Aperol spritz captures the essence of summer. Light, bright and refreshing, the classic Aperol Spritz with its simple 3-2-1 ratio and sunny color, has captured the hearts and palate of drinkers over the last few years.
"The classic Spritz works so well because it's beautifully structured—the bitterness is softened by the sparkling wine, and the soda lifts everything with a touch of brightness." To celebrate National Spritz Day I invite you to celebrate the wonderful variation of the classic spritz. To help, I've spoken to Loris Contro, Italian Icons Brand Ambassador at Campari Group UK, about four versions of the refreshing spritz to suit any palate, from the classic to a no-alcohol version.
Aperol can trace its origins back to 1919, but a spritz has been around for much longer. The core of a spritz has always been that it is a refreshing, low alcohol option (as aperitivo used in a classic italian spritz are usually a similar strength to wine,) and was traditionally enjoyed as a pre-dinner drink. To make the perfect spritz, whichever you choose you'll need good quality chilled prosecco, but great soda and enough ice are just as key, as Contro explained to me over email:
'To elevate the experience, it's all about precision—the right ratio, the right glass, plenty of ice, and a fresh orange slide. Making sure your Prosecco and soda are well chilled preserves the crispness and structure of the serve. It's the attention to these small details that takes the drink from good to great." Loris Contro, Italian Icons Brand Ambassador at Campari Group UK
To make an aperol spritz perfect, the most important starting point is the ratios. Handily the recipe is easy to remember using the 3:2:1 method (3 parts (75ml) Prosecco, 2 parts (50ml) Aperol, 1 part (25ml) soda).
The spritz has roots in 19th-century northern Italy, where Austro-Hungarian soldiers would add a splash of water to local wine. Aperol joined the story in 1919. Campari
"One of the most common missteps is getting the ratios wrong,' explained Contro. 'Too much of an ingredient can throw off the balance. The 3:2:1 method is key to achieving the perfect taste."
To make the perfect aperol spritz you'll need to fill a large wine glass with high quality ice. The 75ml prosecco goes in next as this helps preserve the bubbles, and if you don't have a cocktail measure, 75ml is around half of a small serving of wine. Next add 50ml of Aperol, which is a double UK standard measure or a generous standard 1.5oz US shot. Top the glass with 25ml of chilled soda, garnish with a slice of orange and enjoy. Twist 1 - The Bold Campari Spritz
If you're after an aperol spritz variation to explore this spritz day then our first twist on the classic is a campari spritz. Campari is a bold and herbal spirit that transforms the classic orange spritz into a deep and dry cocktail perfect for an evening and those that enjoy Negroni. Campari is a bit stronger too.
'The Campari Spritz is bold, fresh and full of character,' said Contro. 'Its sophisticated taste and distinctive bitter profile, balanced with crisp Prosecco and a splash of soda, makes a vibrant and well-rounded aperitivo.'
If you're experimenting on your classic spritz with Campari then a slightly sweeter prosecco or a dash more soda could work well to balance the natural bitterness. Twist 2 - The Tropical Sarti Spritz
If the intensity of Campari is too much then Sarti is a middle ground, drier and more bittersweet than Aperol but not as dominant as Campari. Stick with the 3:2:1 ratio for a tropical twist on your classic Aperol but garnish with lime to enhance the citrus notes.
'The Sarti Spritz has a refreshingly fruity profile with notes of passion fruit, mango and blood orange that make it incredibly approachable,' described Contro. 'The addition of the fresh lime garnish brightens the drink and enhances its citrus layers." Twist 3 - The Alcohol-Free Crodino Spritz
Alcohol free aperitivo Crodino has been around since 1964 and offers a classic bitter-sweet profile but with zero alcohol. It is made from a blend of herbs and spices that are matured for up to 6 months to ensure the perfect balance of refreshing complexity.
As it's naturally sparkling you can serve Crodino over ice. Equally elevate it to a true spritz by combining with alcohol-free prosecco or just a dash of soda, but fresh orange or a squeeze of lemon juice work well here too. The best thing about this non-alcoholic spritz is that its bright orange colour will pass as Aperol making it a subtle non-alcoholic switch option that is ideal for designated drivers or those looking to subtly zebra stripe their drinks.
'The Crodino Spritz is a deliciously sparkling, uniquely bittersweet non-alcoholic spritz option,' explained Contro. 'Its blend of citrus and botanicals gives it structure and complexity, offering a satisfying, alcohol-free aperitivo without compromise.' Twist 4 - The Elevated Classic
Prosecco is a light and bubbly Italian sparkling wine that is easy to get hold of, and the best prosecco for Aperol spritz should be high quality and on the drier side where possible. Our final twist is a premium aperol spritz, perfect if you're in the mood to indulge.
Switching your prosecco for a premium Italian sparkling wine like a Fanciancorta offers a great way to elevate your spritz recipe to something more indulgent. Fanciancorta is a traditional method (champagne style) sparkling wine that will tend to be drier than a prosecco, perfect if you want something more crisp and elevated.
So there you have it, the classic Aperol spritz recipe and 4 twists to explore this spritz day. Hopefully you will enjoy the chance to try something new, and perhaps we've shown you the perfect crisp non-alcohol alternative to add to your spritz recipe list.
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