The easy-to-make (and even easier-to-drink) spritz cocktail is having a moment this summer, and for good reason. Low in alcohol, refreshing, and with day-drinking levels of ease, spritz cocktails have quickly made their way to the top as the MVP cocktail of choice for the hot weather months. What’s not to love about these refreshing, fizzy, and fanciful little drinks?
A spritz is typically some combination of extra dry Prosecco or champagne, soda water, and bitters—but for this round-up, I’m just gonna say that if it’s bubbly and refreshing and tastes unmistakably like summer, it counts.
Serve it ice cold, and toast to the fact that even when summer eventually fades, fruity fizzy drinks are a good thing all year round. From tiki-inspired twists to grapefruit and sage-laced recipes, we’ve got it all! There’s something a little old-timey and romantic about a spritz, wouldn’t you agree? They’re elegant and just dainty enough to feel fancy, even on the most casual of occasions.
Scroll on for 15 spritz cocktails you need to try before summer is over.
Palm Springs Spritz from Camille Styles
The recipe features vodka and zesty pineapple juice (does anything taste more like a vacation?) topped off with crisp and fruity Prosecco. The drink is a refreshing complement to cocktail hour snacks like avocado carpaccio, everything toast, or veggie rolls with spicy nut sauce.
Summer Manhattan from Sidewalk Shoes
This crisp cocktail melds delicate orange flavors with bitters. It’s amazing on its own, but also delicate enough to go well with any food pairing.
Smashed Berry Rosé Spritz from Half Baked Harvest
Make one in a pitcher and keep the party going all day long with this sweet, berry-filled, and delicious spritz cocktail.
Smashed Blackberry Sage Spritz from Food52
Here, bitter, bright-green Suze gets some spritz-ing. “I love its electric green color and how it kind of punches you in the mouth with flavor,” says recipe author Samantha Weiss Hills. “This is not a bashful aperitif, but its herbal, citrus and bitter qualities can be harnessed and complemented, made graceful.”
Plum & Thyme Prosecco Smash from My Diary of Us
This cocktail is so easy to make, and what I love about it is that it can be served at brunch for a fancier mimosa alternative, or for happy hour at your weekend dinner party. A cocktail that can turn from day to night without hesitation is a cocktail that I definitely want to be drinking!
Balsamic Peach Spritz from Half Baked Harvest
Put stone fruit season to good use with this deliciously refreshing and slightly unexpected balsamic peach spritz from Half Baked Harvest.
Blackberry French 75 from Heather Cristo
This blackberry French 75 has all of the charm and elegance of the original, but with the added flavor and color of blackberry. It’s totally lovely and perfect for summer entertaining on the patio.
Cucumber Mint Sparkler from Domesticate Me
As far as cocktail profiles go, these are on the light, bright, and slightly sweet side. Cucumber is muddled with fresh lime juice, shaken with vodka and mint simple syrup, and then topped with a heavy pour of Prosecco or champagne. You get the cucumber and bubbles on your taste buds first and then a surprising, minty finish. It’s straight-up delightful!
Ginger Citrus Spritz from Camille Styles
This simple recipe is a perfect base for adding any combination of garnishes that you’d like. We kept this one fresh with clementines, blueberries, cucumber, and basil. Yum!
Ginger Spritz from Bon Appétit
This delectable combo of ginger beer and bubble cava is everything I never knew I always wanted. Light, refreshing, and perfect for your next picnic.
Grapefruit and Sage Champagne Cocktail from Floating Kitchen
The brightness of grapefruit juice is what makes this bubbly cocktail such an appealing way to celebrate summer. Squeezing your own grapefruit juice is ideal, but if you’re going to be making these for a big crowd, then store-bought grapefruit juice would do just fine.
Lillet Rose Cocktail from Martha Stewart
Lillet Rose, a fortified-wine blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Muscatel, has the aroma of flowers and ripe berries — perfect for a summertime aperitif. Garnishing the drinks with edible flowers is a lovely touch!
Strawberry Basil Cucumber Rosé Sangria from Heather Cristo
The basil and cucumber are so refreshing in this cocktail — make it for perfect summer days by the pool! You could use sparkling wine, prosecco, Muscato, or champagne for this lovely punch.
Classic Italian Spritz from Love and Olive Oil
Even if you aren’t overlooking the sea from a villa in Positano, you can enjoy those cool Italian vibes with this refreshing adult bev. Also called a Venetian spritz, this cocktail is an absolute classic.
Spiced Cherry Spritz from Bon Appétit
Lambrusco gives this grown-up cherry soda drink its deep maroon hue, while Amaro lends itself for a subtle and spicy flavor.
