We’re big fans of wine—particularly during the summer. It’s hard to say no to a well-chilled pitcher of sangria, a white wine cocktail or even a simple pour. (If you’re hosting a party, this is our must-buy boxed wine brand.)
But as fun as wine is, it can get a little boring. Especially if you’re pouring the same Rosé all season long. Switch things up (and take your happy hour to the next level) with a spritz cocktail. Here’s how to make one.
Psst! These are the wine mistakes everyone is making.
What is a Spritz?
Originating in Northern Italy, a spritz is a highly customizable cocktail. It’s typically made with Prosecco, a splash of liqueur or fruit juice and sparkling water or soda.
Spritz flavor combinations are seemingly endless, but the most popular variations are fruity or earthy, featuring liqueurs like Campari or Aperol.
These drinks are best enjoyed poolside.
How to Make a Spritz
Ingredients:
Step 1: Pour the Wine
Start by filling a glass with ice. Then pour in the wine.
Step 2: Mix In
Add your preferred liqueur.
Editor’s Tip: For a lower alcohol-by-volume, substitute fruit juice.
Step 3: Top It Off
Finish the drink with a splash of sparkling water or soda. Garnish, if desired, with fruit slices, citrus peels or sprigs of fresh herbs.
Photo Courtesy of Mionetto
Our Favorite Flavor Combinations
The recipe above is extremely basic, so if you’d like a little more guidance, consider one of these tried-and-true spritz flavors.
- Basic Wine Spritz: Moscato + lemon lime soda + lime wedge
- Swedish Rose Spritz: Rosé + elderflower liqueur + lemon seltzer water
- Mionetto Sunshine Spritz:Â Prosecco + orange juice + Campari + orange slice
- Aperol Spritz: Prosecco + Aperol + club soda
- Mionetto Rosa Amara Spritz: Sparkling Rosé + Campari + sparkling water + grapefruit peel
More Fruity Drinks for Summer Sippin'
Strawberry Spritzer
Three simple ingredients are all you need to create this fresh and fruity summer beverage. It's bound to become a warm-weather favorite.—Krista E Collins, Concord, North Carolina
Get Recipe
Mixed Berry SangriaThis is a light, tasty beverage to serve with spoons so everyone can enjoy the fresh berries once the sangria is gone. — Linda Cifuentes, Mahomet, Illinois
Summertime Watermelon Punch for a CrowdI attended a patio party years ago where the hostess had a clever watermelon “bowl” with a scalloped edge and filled with this punch. It was the hit of the party, and she was kind enough to share the delicious punch recipe with me. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Bonus: If you like this, you might appreciate a
watermelon keg, too.
Lemony Fruit CoolerThis punch looks so pretty with all the colorful fruit floating in the bowl. It has a refreshing taste and is easy to put together. —Dawn Shackelford, Fort Worth, Texas
Nectarine, Basil and Clementine Infused WaterNectarine and basil may sound a little strange, but trust us, this combination is a real winner. A few slices of clementine seal the deal. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Honeydew Lime CoolerServe up a frosty glass of this citrusy blend of lime sherbet and honeydew melon for a real thirst-quencher. I like to sip this on warm afternoons, but it's equally good for breakfast or brunch. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland
Passion Fruit HurricanesThis is our Test Kitchen’s version of the famous Hurricane beverage that's so popular in New Orleans. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
Orange Dream MimosasYour inner child will love this fun riff on the classic mimosa. Use sparkling cider, ginger ale or sparkling grape juice for a nonalcoholic version. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
Rhubarb Lemonade SlushMy family loves rhubarb, and this is such a fun way to enjoy it. It's nice to have in the freezer and bring out when guests drop by. Even people who aren't crazy about rhubarb enjoy it. —Cathie Beard, Philomath, Oregon
Strawberry-Lavender Infused WaterA little bit of lavender goes a long way, so be sure not to overdo it! This pretty combo screams summer, but you can also dry out the lavender and enjoy this anytime.
Guava Coconut Rum CocktailMy beverage is so sensational it's like a taste of the tropics in a glass. The guava adds a touch of sweetness to this coconut drink. —Melanie Milhorat, New York, New York
Watermelon SpritzerIt couldn’t get much easier than this bright spritzer! Watermelon blended with limeade is cool and refreshing. It’s a wonderful thirst-quencher on a hot summer day. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Raspberry and Lemon Infused WaterIf you're craving raspberry lemonade but are trying to cut back on your sugar intake, this infused water is the perfect substitute.—James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Tropical CoolerWith only four simple ingredients, this refreshing punch is easy to stir up in just 10 minutes. I served it at a party for my son, and everyone liked the slightly tart flavor. —Robin Werner, Brush Prairie, Washington
Strawberry Melon FizzExperimenting in the kitchen is fun for me. I came up with this recipe by I combining two different recipes, one for a melon ball basket and another for a sparkling beverage. —Teresa Messick, Montgomery, Alabama
Sparkling Rhubarb SpritzerFolks with a rhubarb plant or two will love this recipe. It's a nice change from the usual lemonade—we enjoy it all summer long. —Sue Rebers, Campbellsport, Wisconsin
Apricot Lemonade Iced TeaEvery special occasion deserves a refreshing beverage (and a lovely punch bowl). Our tea has a tangy flavor from lemonade, apricot nectar and mint. —Kay Chon, Sherwood, Arkansas
Rainbow SpritzerLayers of colorful fruit submerged in a fizzy, sweet beverage make this a kid-friendly sipper that gets two thumbs-up. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Blueberry MojitoAn ice-cold blueberry mojito is the perfect way to beat the heat this summer, whether you're pitmaster or sitting poolside.
Cherry Fruit SmoothiesYou need just four ingredients to blend together these super-fast smoothies for breakfast. Try whipping them up on a hot summer day for a cool and refreshing treat. —Macy Plummer, Avon, Indiana
Rosemary LemonadeA friend suggested I add a sprig of rosemary to lemonade. The herb makes the drink taste fresh and light, and it's a pretty garnish. —Dixie Graham, Rancho Cucamonga, California
Raspberry Iced TeaOne sip and you'll likely agree that this is the best flavored tea you've ever tasted. —Chris Wilson, Sellersville, Pennsylvania
Iced Melon Moroccan Mint TeaI grow mint on my balcony, and this refreshing beverage is a wonderful way to use it. It combines two of my favorite drinks—Moroccan Mint Tea and Honeydew Agua Fresca. For extra flair, add some ginger ale. —Sarah Batt Throne, El Cerrito, California
If you love this, then you must try this
watermelon agua fresca.
Rhubarb Mint TeaA bumper crop of rhubarb and mint from my garden inspired me to create this thirst-quenching pick-me-up. Raspberries deepen the tea's vibrant red color, making the drinks a pretty addition to your table. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington
Watermelon-Strawberry CoolerMy family gulps this frosty cooler because we love, love, love watermelon. The strawberries give it an extra pop. This is a perfect drink for Texas heat. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Rhubarb Citrus PunchRhubarb grows abundantly in our large farm garden. I'll make this punch for summertime gatherings or for special occasions with our extended family. —Ina Frey, St. Clemens, Ontario
Blueberry Lime SlushMy husband's family makes a cranberry beverage for the holidays. I changed it up and serve it this way in winter and summer, when blueberries are in season. —Rebecca Bratsman, Tacoma, Washington
Mango SmoothieWhip up a mango smoothie in a snap with our tropical recipe. It is sure to be a treat for breakfast (or even dessert)!
Peach SmoothieWhip up this creamy peach smoothie as a refreshing and nutritious snack or a quick chilled breakfast. Because you can use frozen fruit, you don't have to wait until peaches are in season to enjoy this delicious smoothie. —Martha Polasek, Markham, Texas
Sweet Raspberry TeaYou need only a handful of ingredients to stir together this refreshing spring sipper. Its brilliant color and smile-fetching flavor will make a popular thirst quencher as the weather turns warm. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pineapple-Coconut SmoothieUse fresh or frozen fruits in this coconutty recipe. It's like a pina colada, but better for you and more versatile. —Gunjan Dudani, Bellevue, Washington
Cran-Grape CoolerYou’re three quick ingredients away from refreshment with this easy-to-drink cooler that’s bound to keep you, well, cool. Didi Desjardins — Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Peach-Basil CoolerMix peaches and basil with club soda for a cool and refreshing mocktail! —Dana Hinck, Pensacola, Florida
Grilled Lemon & Thyme LemonadeWe use our grill for most summer dinners, so we thought, "why not grill the lemonade?" The flavor is surprisingly smooth, with just the right amount of honey and herbs. We call it Thyme for Lemonade. —Susan Jordan, Denver, Colorado
Watermelon MargaritaUpgrade a classic lime margarita with this watermelon margarita recipe. The pretty, pink drink uses a sugared rim and blended watermelon to give the drink a sweet twist.
Red, White and Blue Frozen LemonadeThis patriotic drink is as pretty as it is delicious. With cherries, blueberries and lemon juice, we created a striped lemonade that is perfect for a Fourth of July celebration. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California
Orange Juice SpritzerHere’s a zippy twist on regular orange juice. It is not too sweet and is refreshing with any breakfast or brunch entree. —Michelle Krzmarzick, Torrance, California
Blackberry LemonadeHere's a special drink that's perfect when blackberries are in season. It has a tangy, refreshing flavor. —Rich Murray, Nevada, Missouri
Iced Honeydew Mint TeaI grow mint in the garden on my balcony. For this tea, I blend two of my favorite beverages—Moroccan mint tea and honeydew agua fresca. —Sarah Batt Throne, El Cerrito, California
Strawberry-Basil RefresherFresh strawberries and basil are everywhere, so get them together for a cooler that’s pure sunshine. I garnish with basil leaves and sip outdoors. —Carolyn Turner, Reno, Nevada
