Homemade Spritz: How to Create the Best Handmade Spritz at Home

Spritzes are cocktails based on Italian aperitifs, perfect for long summer days or get-togethers with friends. If you are a spritz lover, why not try making a craft spritz at home? Learn how, and discover how to create the best craft spritz in your own home!

How do you make a spritz at home?

To begin this refreshing adventure, gather the essential ingredients: Prosecco, that sparkling gold from Italy; bitter orange liqueur, with its gentle orangey bitterness; and a dash of sparkling water for a zest of freshness.

In a wine glass filled with ice, generously pour 3 parts Prosecco for this sunny escape. Then add 2 parts bitter orange liqueur, a little liquid sunshine that brings a deliciously balanced touch of bitterness.

But wait, the adventure isn’t over! Finish your creation with one part sparkling water, like a light breeze caressing your taste buds.

And for the finishing touch, garnish your glass with a juicy slice of orange and a green olive, the hallmark of the Venetian spritz.

What is the difference between Aperol and Campari?

Picture yourself strolling through the lively streets of Italy, where these two legends of the aperitif world wage a spellbinding battle to win over connoisseurs’ palates.

Aperol, first of all, will win you over with its vibrant orange colour and gentle bitterness. Made to a closely guarded recipe dating back to 1919, this sunny delight is produced from herbs, bitter orange peel and a hint of rhubarb. Aperol will surprise you with its lightness and low alcohol content, making it an ideal companion for relaxing moments in the Italian sun.

Campari, on the other hand, will captivate you with its bewitching red colour and more pronounced bitterness. Since 1860, this Italian gem has been born of a bold blend of aromatic herbs, spices and bitter orange peel. Campari offers a fuller-bodied experience, thrilling the taste buds with its complex aromas and bold character.

In short, Aperol is the embodiment of summer sweetness, perfect for light-hearted moments, while Campari is the symbol of elegance and robustness, ideal for adventurers in search of new flavours.

What variations on the traditional spritz are there?

First of all, get ready to be surprised by the “Spritz al Bitter”, a version that replaces Aperol with Campari. This bold variation offers a fuller, more bewitching touch, with a more marked bitterness that will charm adventurous palates.

Next, surprise your taste buds with the “Spritz al Cynar”, an unusual twist in which Cynar, an artichoke-based aperitif, takes the place of Aperol. This daring combination will plunge you into a world of intriguing, vegetal flavours.

But that’s not all, flavour adventurer! The “Spritz Rosato” is here to dazzle your palate with its pink hue and subtle sweetness. In this version, the sparkling white wine is replaced by rosé, creating a most elegant journey of flavour.

For lovers of the exotic, the “Spritz Tropical” is the way to go. Here, Aperol is paired with passion fruit or pineapple juice for a fruity escape to faraway places.

And if you are after an alcohol-free version, the “alcohol-free spritz” is there to keep you company on your quest. Replace the sparkling wine with sparkling water and the alcohol with a syrup of your choice, for a thirst-quenching and deliciously carefree drink.

How do you adjust the bitterness or sweetness of a spritz to your taste?

Adjusting the bitterness or sweetness of a spritz is a subtle art that lets you create a personalised drink that suits you perfectly. Here are a few tips for mastering this delicate balance:

1. Control the amount of Aperol or aperitif: Aperol is the key ingredient that brings bitterness to the spritz. For a more bitter note, add a little more Aperol. Conversely, for a sweeter version, use slightly less Aperol.
2. Adjust the amount of sparkling wine: sparkling wine balances the bitterness of the Aperol. If you prefer a sweeter spritz, increase the amount of sparkling wine. If you enjoy bitterness, reduce the amount of wine slightly.
3. Add a syrup: to accentuate the sweetness, add sugar syrup or a fruit syrup of your choice. This will soften the bitterness of the Aperol and create a more indulgent balance.
4. Use another aperitif: if you prefer a less bitter version, experiment with other aperitifs that are less pronounced in bitterness, such as Select or Cynar. They will bring a different flavour while keeping the spritz in balance.
5. Personalise the garnish: the garnish plays a key role in the balance of the spritz. A slice of orange brings a sweet, fruity touch, while a slice of lemon or a green olive accentuates the bitterness.

Don’t hesitate to explore different combinations until you find the right balance to delight your taste buds. Every adjustment is a new flavour adventure, so set off in search of your perfect spritz!

How many spritzes can you make with a bottle of Aperol?

A standard bottle of Aperol usually contains 700 ml of this sweet orange nectar. To make a spritz, the traditional recipe recommends using 60 ml of Aperol.

So, to work out how many spritzes you can make with a bottle of Aperol, simply divide the total amount of Aperol by the amount used per spritz:

Number of spritzes = Total amount of Aperol (in ml) ÷ Amount of Aperol per spritz (in ml)

For example, if your bottle of Aperol holds 700 ml:

Number of spritzes = 700 ml ÷ 60 ml ≈ 11.67

So, with a standard bottle of Aperol, you can make around 11 to 12 spritzes, enough to treat your guests to a pleasant evening under the Italian sun!