​3-2-1 Spritz

As popular as it is, a spritz isn’t all about Aperol. 

The two can enjoyed in different ways and while they’ll always be the best of dance partners when combined – other variations of the Spritz can deliver equally light and fresh drinks.

Especially when you use the robust three, two, one formula…

What's truly remarkable about the elegant simplicity of the 1-2-3 formula is how it lends itself to endless variations. Feel like swapping the soda for a flavoured soda? Go ahead, the spritz won't mind. Fancy replacing the Prosecco with Spanish cava or a crisp French crémant? The formula stays the same, while your taste buds get to embark on a new adventure.

Even the star of the show, your liqueur of choice, can take a curtain call while you introduce different protagonists into the mix. Perhaps a dash of elderflower liqueur for a floral note, or a swig of Campari for a bitter twist, some amaretto for a nutty variation?

With the 3-2-1 method, the ingredients might change, but the rhythm stays the same. This uncomplicated method allows you to play master mixologist in your own home, unleashing a limitless number of spritz combinations.

The only limit is the extent of your creativity and the size of your cabinet…

The Bergamot Spritz

Ever tried Italicus? You should. It’s delicious. This exceptional liqueur comes to us with a primary ingredient of bergamot, a citrus fruit whose nuanced flavour has been described as a delightful love child between a lemon and an orange with a whisper of grapefruit.

Italicus, also known as Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, was developed by Giuseppe Gallo, a revered name in the world of bartending. 

Launched in 2016, it has quickly become a favourite among connoisseurs and mixologists alike. It's a revival and a reimagining of rosolio, a traditional Italian style of liqueur that had somewhat fallen out of fashion until Italicus took centre stage.

The Italicus recipe pairs bergamot from Calabria with cedro lemons from Sicily. The blend is then further enhanced with a selection of botanicals, including Roman chamomile, lavender, gentian, yellow roses and lemon balm. This results in a liqueur that's both floral and citrusy, with a soft sweetness and a pleasantly bitter undertone.

It's worth noting that while Italicus is undeniably citrus-forward, it's not quite as punchy or overtly lemony as Limoncello. 

This makes it an intriguing alternative for those wanting to explore the broader landscape of citrus-based liqueurs, and, of course, an interesting substitute in your next spritz experiment.

Let's not forget to mention its signature bottle: a work of art in itself. With its eye-catching blue and white design, it brings a touch of Italian elegance to any cocktail gathering or liquor cabinet.

Italicus Spritz

90 ml Prosecco

60 ml Italicus

30 ml Soda water

Lemon slices and fresh mint for garnish

Instructions:

Fill a large wine glass or tumbler with ice.

Pour in the Italicus, followed by the Prosecco.

Top it up with a splash of soda water.

Stir gently to mix, garnish with a slice of lemon and a sprig of fresh mint.

There's an art to getting this radiant refresher just right, and a few simple tips will take your skills from novice to "napoletano".

Italicus isn't as loud a flavour as Aperol or Limoncello. A bit of flavour matching goes a long way here and picking a complimentary Prosecco is time well spent. Herbs make this spritz sing and the like of lemon verbena, lemon balm and mint. They add depth to the citrus and lift to the aroma, so have a pluck around the garden and don't be shy.

Other Spritzes to try:

Limoncello Spritz

Limoncello, a lemon-infused spirit from the heart of Italy, is a golden-hued liqueur as vibrant and refreshing as the southern Italian sun. Born from the zest of Sorrento lemons, also known as Femminello St. Teresa lemons, this style of liqueur brims with the zesty tang and sweet nectar of the citrus fruit it derives from.

The magic of  Limoncello lies in its simplicity. The zest is steeped in grain alcohol until the oil is released, and then mixed with a sugar. The resulting liqueur is a sweet, intensely lemony spirit with a robust, zestful backbone that has the power to transport you straight to the sunny terraces of the Amalfi coast.

So why does this citrus elixir make for a great spritz? 

The intrinsic sweetness of Limoncello adds a refreshing zing to the Spritz, blending perfectly with the effervescence of Prosecco and the splash of soda water. This combination accentuates the lemony sweetness of the  Limoncello while allowing the sparkle of the Prosecco to shine, creating a harmonious balance that is lively, effervescent, and incredibly refreshing on a hot day.

Melonade Spritz

Melonade is a melon liqueur that offers a tantalising blend of summer and sweetness in a single sip. Born from a combination of melons and neutral grain alcohol,  Melonade is a standout choice for those looking to infuse a dose of sunny flavours into their cocktails.

Incorporating Melonade into a Spritz introduces a twist to the traditional recipe. Why, you ask? Well, its fruity profile seamlessly merges with the effervescence of the Prosecco and soda water, creating a refreshingly sweet and slightly tangy concoction. It's like biting into a juicy, ripe watermelon on a hot summer's day. Pro tip - add hint of lemon to create a perfect balance between sweetness and acidity, enhancing the freshness of the liqueur.

The inherently sweet, refreshing, and light nature of Melonade beautifully complements the lively character of a Spritz. It's a cocktail that is fun, and utterly perfect for summer soirees where you want something easy to make and even easier to slip down.

St. Germain Spritz - The Hugo Spritz

St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, with its distinctively floral allure, is often referred to as the "bartender's ketchup" for its versatile and transformative qualities in cocktails. This French creation, housed in an unmistakably elegant and vintage-styled bottle, has graced bars and cocktail lounges since its debut in 2007.

Made from the small, white starry flowers of the elderberry bush, also known as 'Sambucus Nigra,'  St. Germain captures the ephemeral bloom of elderflower in a bottle. This artisanal liqueur is famously crafted through a delicate process. The flowers are handpicked once a year during a few weeks in spring, and then transferred to the distillery to be macerated. 

Its flavour profile is a luxurious balance of sweetness, floral notes, and a hint of citrus, somewhat reminiscent of lychee, pear, and grapefruit zest. It's an easy choice for a Spritz and a type of cocktail that the brand themselves have been pushing for over a decade. 

You can go for the usual 3,2,1 option here, but the drink that you'll see in bars and all over social media right now is the Hugo Spritz. It involves the same ingredients, but the recipe is different and in changing the formula, it allows the floral nature of the liqueur to come through, while balancing it out lime and with a huge dose of minty freshness.

The Hugo Spritz

40 ml St Germain

60 ml Prosecco

60 ml Soda water

Lime slices and fresh mint for garnish

Instructions:

Add ice into a wine glass.

Pour in St‑Germain and add approximately eight mint leaves.

Top with sparkling wine and sparkling water.

Stir the drink to combine all of the ingredients.

Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wedge.