Nothing says summer entertaining like a spritz in hand. Low in alcohol, endlessly customizable, and ready in under two minutes, spritz cocktails have taken over patios and rooftop bars for good reason: they're bubbly, refreshing, and nearly impossible to mess up. Below are five spritz cocktail recipes worth adding to your rotation this season, plus the bar tools that make building a spritz bar at home effortless.
What Makes a Great Spritz Cocktail
At its core, a spritz follows a simple formula: sparkling wine, a flavorful modifier (an aperitif, liqueur, or fruit puree), and a splash of soda water, all served over ice in a wide-rimmed glass. That formula is exactly why spritzes are so easy to riff on. Swap the aperitif and you've got a completely different drink, without changing your technique or your tools.
How to Build a Spritz Bar at Home
You don't need a full home bar to serve great spritzes, just a few key pieces. Wide, stemmed spritz glasses show off the color and bubbles the way a spritz deserves, while a bottle chiller keeps your prosecco ice-cold through a whole afternoon of refills without watering down the ice bucket. If any of the recipes below call for muddled fruit or herbs, a sturdy stainless steel muddler makes quick work of it.
5 Spritz Cocktail Recipes for Summer Entertaining
1. Classic Aperol Spritz
The original, and still the standard by which every other spritz is measured.
- 3 oz prosecco
- 2 oz Aperol
- 1 splash soda water
- Orange slice, to garnish
Fill a spritz glass with ice. Pour in the prosecco, then the Aperol, then top with a splash of soda water. Give it one gentle stir and garnish with an orange slice.
2. Hugo Spritz
A floral, herbaceous alternative that's popular across European patios and finally catching on stateside.
- 3 oz prosecco
- 1 oz elderflower liqueur
- 1 splash soda water
- 6–8 fresh mint leaves
- Lime wedge, to garnish
Lightly bruise the mint leaves between your palms to release their aroma, then drop them into an ice-filled glass. Add the elderflower liqueur, prosecco, and a splash of soda water. Stir gently and finish with a lime wedge.
3. Limoncello Spritz
Sweet-tart and sunny, this one leans into limoncello's bright citrus punch.
- 2 oz limoncello
- 3 oz prosecco
- 1 splash soda water
- Lemon twist, to garnish
Build over ice in a spritz glass: limoncello first, then prosecco, then a splash of soda water. Stir once and garnish with a lemon twist.
4. Watermelon Spritz
A muddled, fruit-forward spritz that's tailor-made for peak-summer entertaining.
- 3 fresh watermelon cubes
- 1 oz Aperol or Campari
- 3 oz prosecco
- 1 splash soda water
- Mint sprig, to garnish
Muddle the watermelon cubes in the bottom of your glass until juicy. Add ice, then the Aperol or Campari, prosecco, and a splash of soda water. Stir gently and top with a mint sprig.
5. Pomegranate-Rosemary Spritz
A slightly more sophisticated, jewel-toned spritz that works just as well for a late-summer dinner party as it does for early fall.
- 1.5 oz pomegranate juice
- 3 oz prosecco
- 1 splash soda water
- Rosemary sprig, to garnish
Pour pomegranate juice over ice, top with prosecco and a splash of soda water, and stir gently. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig, lightly clapped between your hands to release its oils before dropping it in.
Tips for Serving and Preserving Your Spritz Bar
Spritzes are meant to be poured quickly and often, so prep matters more than technique. Pre-slice your citrus and pre-portion your modifiers before guests arrive, and keep your prosecco in a bottle chiller table-side so it's always ready to pour without a trip back to the fridge. If a bottle doesn't get finished, a champagne stopper will keep it fizzy in the fridge for another round tomorrow, instead of going flat overnight.
Spritz Cocktail FAQs
How much alcohol is in a spritz? Most spritz cocktails land between 6–10% ABV once diluted with soda water and ice, roughly half the strength of a standard spirit-forward cocktail, which is part of why they're so popular for long afternoons of entertaining.
What's the best prosecco for a spritz? Look for a dry (Brut) prosecco rather than an Extra Dry or Demi-Sec. Since the modifier and garnish already add sweetness, a drier bubbly keeps the balance right.
Can I make a spritz bar ahead of time? Yes. Pre-batch the non-sparkling components (the aperitif or juice, plus any fruit or herbs) in a pitcher, then add chilled prosecco and soda water fresh to each glass as you pour, so the bubbles stay intact.
Ready to set up your own spritz station? Stock up on the glassware, chillers, and bar tools above and you'll be pouring restaurant-quality spritzes at home all season long.
