The traditional Italian spritz is a classic for a reason: three parts slightly sweet bubbles, a bitter bite from two parts Campari or Aperol, and effervescence from one part soda water. The wine-based cocktail has a long history in Venice, having originated there in the 1920s. It’s the perfect refreshing drink to linger over during aperitivo – but why should only the Italians get to enjoy snacks and drinks on a summer’s evening? Clearly, we’re not the only ones who think so, as the spritz has become increasingly popular around the world since 2010.
We could sip on this cool fizzy drink all summer long, but just in case you need more variety on those extremely hot days, here are four other spritz variations to add to your cocktail menu – starting with the beer spritz in honour of National Beer Day on 3 February.
1. The beer spritz
The first Saturday in February marks National Beer Day in South Africa and, while we love an ice-cold beer on a hot day, we’re all for ramping it up even further. The beer spritz incorporates beer instead of Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine) and orange juice in place of soda water. Some variations include lemon juice instead of orange juice – although we think the orange provides a needed sweetness against the bitter beer and enhances the citrus of the Aperol.
@food24_southafrica Immerse yourself in the world of experimental beer-inspired cocktails with Food24’s content producer, Bianca Jones! Watch as she guides us through the creation and tasting of the refreshing beer Aperol spritz and the invigorating chilled beer paloma – the perfect way to raise a glass in honour of South African National Beer Day. 🇿🇦🍻 PS. If beer isn’t your go-to, we’ve got a lineup of other delicious spritz variations to tempt your taste buds this weekend! Check out the link in bio 🔗 for more refreshing options. #food24_southafrica #nationalbeerday #beer #beercocktails #drinkrecipe #trendiing #tiktoksouthafrica🇿🇦
ALSO TRY: Beer paloma
2. The rosé spritz
For a pretty pink drink, you can swap Prosecco for a slightly sweet sparkling rosé. The strawberry notes in rosé add a delicious sweetness to the bitter Aperol, making a fruity summery drink. Garnish it with slices of strawberries and oranges or any other summer fruits you have available.
3. The limoncello spritz
Take it to the south of Italy by substituting limoncello for Aperol or Campari. Limoncello is less bitter but keeps this spritz in the citrus family. It’s the perfect breakfast cocktail if you want an alternative to the classic mimosa and it’s easy to multiply the quantities to make a jug to accompany a brunch feast.
4. The chilli spritz
Keep it seasonal by making the most of spicy chillies. Follow the same recipe as for a traditional Aperol Spritz but add a couple of whole chillies to the glass for a delightful tingle. You could even char the chillies for some added smokiness that pairs well with Aperol. Chillies also go well with various other seasonal herbs and fruits, so this is a great one to play around with for further spritz variations. For example, add a tot of lime or pineapple juice and fresh basil leaves, or add a tot of homemade strawberry simple syrup.
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