It’s that time of year again, when you’re reaching for spritzers to keep you cool under the summer sun. But which wine should you be using in this classic Mediterranean mix?
While the wine spritzer might have once been considered a little fuddy-duddy to serve at a weekend brunch or barbeque, all that’s steadily changing as bartenders and brands alike turn to this family of cool-inducing libations with the addition of good fruit, good ice and of course, good wine.
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Today, you’re guaranteed to see spritzers on offer at the coolest alfresco bars and soirees this summer with stand-alone mixes like the Shark Tank-funded Bon Affair in competition with savvy champagne brands including Moet & Chandon with its Ice Imperial, and Lanson with its White Label, wines specifically designed to be served over ice.
The humble spritzer has evolved since 1842 when the new invention of soda water was added to the wines of Hungarian author András Fáy by his scientist friend Ányos Jedlik to see if it brought out the flavors better. While many Europeans – especially lovers of the green organic wines produced in the hills above Vienna – still believe the purist way to drink a spritzer is simply combining still white wine with soda water, if you go south to the Med you’ll likely encounter the bold red prosecco-laced Aperol Spritzer, the pride of the Italians and one that can now be found in the top bars around the world.
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Today, a wide range of white wines, cavas, champagnes, proseccos, and sparkling wines are used to make spritzers, with the addition of fresh fruit and even herbs adding to their complex but refreshing flavor profiles. For a sweeter touch, try using an asti or a moscato wine for your spritzers – garnish with some ripe melon or seasonal berries to really elevate the drink. Alternatively, use a slightly wooded chardonnay to offer a stable foundation for the cocktail, and top with a dash of ginger beer and a wedge of candied ginger to balance the oaky notes.
A common and easy to access wine for spritzers is sauvignon blanc, with its crisp acidic notes and touches of summer fruit. Balance the inherent acid with melon balls, a touch of basil or even a stalk of rosemary, and think about replacing the soda water with a splash of citrus-flavoured mineral water or even good old-fashioned lemonade.
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If your favourite drop is something more aromatic like a riesling or gewürztraminer, offset the sweetness with a touch of soda water, and balance with grapefruit or orange and a few drops of citrus bitters.
Another popular vino for spritzer construction, especially in Australia and parts of Asia, is pinot grigio, which can be best balanced with fresh peach – if you don’t have the fruit throw a peach-flavoured ice pop in instead – it’s fun and contributes to keeping the drink cool.
And don’t feel like you’re restricted to white wines and bubbles when it comes to spritzers – red wines also lend bold tannin-laced flavours while rosés are tart and clean and fresh, although be sparing with the fruit, you don’t want to end up with sangria, that’s a tale for another day.
Know Thy Spritz
Spritzers are great summer coolers and are even better for groups as they’re dead easy to make in bulk. Here are some great spritzer recipes to keep you cool this summer.
The Classic
Sometimes the oldies are also the best. This classic spritzer is perfect for sophisticated palates and is the ideal dry thirst quencher.
Take 3oz (effectively three shots) of aromatic white wine – this could be anything from a sauvignon blanc to a riesling or gewürztraminer depending on your mood. – add plenty of ice, a dash of orange or lemon bitters, one ounce of club soda, and an orange or lemon twist. Perfection.
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The Eye Catcher
The way to many ladies’ hearts is through a bottle of Aperol, the bittersweet Italian apéritif that every lad should have in his home bar. Aperol helped bring the Spritzer back in vogue (although the Italian version is called an Aperol Spritz). Fill a wine glass (the bigger the better) with ice and a slice of orange. Pour in 1.5oz of Aperol, then 3oz of sparkling wine (prosecco is best), and top with a dash of soda water. The iconic orange-red hue of this drink draws in cocktail-loving ladies like moths to a flame.
Something a Little Fancy
It’s one thing to whip up a home spritzer – it’s another to pull a Strawberry, Thyme, and Lillet Spritzer out of the hat, but it’s not as difficult as you might think. Firstly, if you love martinis you should have a bottle of Lillet Vermouth at home anyway – the bottle will last you an age and will thank you with every silver bullet you concoct. Simply built over ice in a wine glass 3oz of Lillet Blanc (preferably straight from the fridge), two strawberries thinly sliced, a lemon wedge (again, thin is better), a sprig of thyme (give it a slap first to release the essential oils) and top with 2oz of sparkling wine or champagne if you’re feeling generous. Some recipes call for crushed ice but we’re fans of well-made cubes that control dilution better.
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