Aperol, hugo and more: 10 spritz recipes to try this summer

What is a spritz?

A spritz is an Italian cocktail usually consisting of sparkling wine, an aperitif and a mixer (usually soda water) in an easy 3-2-1 ratio. These refreshing sparklers are often drunk as a pre-dinner aperitivo, often alongside small snacks. The best-known is the Aperol spritz, but there are other popular alternatives, like the hugo spritz and negroni sbagliato, and other countries have delicious effervescent drinks in a similar vein.

The 10 best spritz recipes to try this summer

Aperol spritz
That first Aperol spritz of the year is – as much as swallows returning, evenings lengthening and going to work without your coat – a sign that summer is on its way. This bright orange Italian drink has become a staple of British beer gardens and cocktail bars in recent years. It’s easy to whizz up at home, too. Finish with a splash of soda and a slice of orange. Summer has officially arrived.

Bicicletta cocktail
Show off your spritz know-how by serving a bicicletta with pre-dinner nibbles. This ruby-hued cocktail is less well known than the Aperol spritz, but is a logical next step if Aperol has given you a taste for bittersweet Italian aperitifs. A bicicletta is made with Campari (darker, stronger and more intensely flavoured than Aperol), plus dry white wine, soda water and a twist of citrus.

Hugo spritz
Hugo is giving Aperol a run for its money in the spritz popularity stakes. This fizzy elderflower number hails from the mountainous South Tyrol, on the Italian border with Austria and Switzerland. If you’re not keen on the bitter notes of Aperol or Campari, you’ll love this sweeter spritz. Make it with prosecco, soda water and either elderflower liqueur or cordial, which is easier to find in UK supermarkets. Finish with mint and lime for a refreshing summer tipple.

Strawberry spritz
Make the most of in-season strawberries in this summery cocktail. Our strawberry spritz is a twist on a bicicletta, with fresh berries, Campari and rosé wine. Garnish with strawberry slices and optional red chilli, sliced into rings for a lip-tingling finish. If you’ve got some squidgy, over-ripe strawberries, what better way to use them up?

Limoncello spritz
Got a duty-free bottle of limoncello lurking in the cupboard? Treat yourself to a limoncello spritz. Fill a large wine glass with ice, then top with limoncello, prosecco and a splash of soda water. Keep to the same proportions of 75ml limoncello and 125ml prosecco per person to scale the recipe up for a group. Cut a long strip of peel from an unwaxed lemon then twist it over the drink for an easy garnish (twisting the peel releases some of its oils for an extra hit of lemon).

Negroni sbagliato
Start your evening with this sophisticated aperitivo. A negroni sbagliato is a sparkling version of a classic negroni, made with prosecco instead of gin. The easy ratio you need remember is equal parts Campari to sweet vermouth. Serve over ice then top up with a liberal splosh of fizz. Finish with a slice of orange. Perfect with savoury canapés.

Tinto de verano
This popular Spanish cocktail is made with red wine and lemon-lime soda – think an easier, lighter version of sangria. Replace the lemonade with Coca-Cola to create kalimotxo, which tends to be popular in the Basque country. Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it!

Pimm’s spritz
We’ve jazzed-up the classic Pimm’s and lemonade by adding prosecco, plus all the usual Pimm’s trimmings like fresh strawberries, cucumber and mint. Cheers!

Rebujito
Sherry fan? Try a rebujito, Andalusia’s much-loved sherry cocktail. Mint gives the rebujito a mojito-like aroma with the lemon-lime soda sweetening the dry sherry without overpowering its flavour. Dangerously drinkable…

Peach and prosecco spritz
This bellini-style spritz combines peaches, lemon juice and prosecco for a sparkling taste of summer. Our recipe makes six servings – ideal for entertaining.

Need more ideas? Grab your shaker and check out our complete summer cocktail recipes collection.