Hello Spritz Season!
It’s the height of summer which means it's spritz season! There’s a reason the world loves a spritz, it’s light, refreshing and so easy to make. Whether you’re enjoying these by the Piscina “pool”, Spiaggia “beach”, Terrazza “patio” or Ristorante “restaurant” do as the Italians do and enjoy.
What is a Spritz?
A spritz is a wine-based aperitif made with a base of prosecco, a bitter liqueur, citrus, and soda water.
What is the origin of the Spritz?
Originating in the 1800s, the spritz first appeared in the Veneto region of Italy, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Austrian soldiers stationed there found the local Italian wines too strong for their liking and began to dilute them with a splash of water, or "spritzen" in German, giving rise to the name "spritz."
As time passed, the drink evolved. By the 1920s and 1930s, soda water replaced still water, and bitter liqueurs like Aperol or Campari were added. This evolution led to the creation of the classic Aperol Spritz we enjoy today.
3-2-1 Method
An easy rule of thumb when making a spritz is the 3-2-1 method of 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts bitters (such as Aperol), and 1 part soda water.
Spritz Cocktail Recipes:
Aperol Spritz
In a glass with ice, add:
3 parts prosecco
2 parts Aperol
1 part club soda
Garnish with orange slices
Hugo Spritz
In a glass add:
1/2 ounce St-Germain
1 sprig mint
Muddle mint and St. Germain
Add ice and pour in:
4 ounces prosecco, chilled
1 ounce of soda water, chilled
Garnish: mint sprig
Garnish: lemon wheel
Negroni Sbagliato Spritz
In a glass with ice add:
4 oz prosecco
1 oz sweet vermouth
½ oz Campari
Top off with club soda
Stir and garnish with lime
Limoncello Spritz
Add to a glass with ice:
3 oz of prosecco
2 oz of Limoncello
1 oz of club soda
Stir the ingredients and garnish with mint and lemon
Scarlet Spritz
In a glass with ice add:
Coat the inside of the glass with absinth and then discard
Pour in 1 ½ ounces of strawberry-infused Aperol (soak strawberries in Aperol overnight to make Strawberry infused Aperol)
½ ounce of Lillet Blanc
2 dashes of Rhubarb bitters
(Stir to mix)
Then pour in sparkling wine on top
Cranberry-Aperol Spritz
In a glass with ice add:
2 oz Aperol
2 oz Cranberry Juice Cocktail
4 oz Prosecco
Splash of Orange Juice
Garnish with fresh cranberries, orange slices, and a rosemary sprig.
Now that you have your spritz inspiration, let’s immerse you in the Italian lifestyle. Here are a few stunning Italian villas, perfect for sipping Aperol spritzes on the Terrazza.
Villa Monna Lisa - Historic Mansion on the hills of Florence (built in 1300); $19.5 Million
Laglio, Como, Italy (Built in 1900) Price Upon Request , Sotheby’s International Realty
Gaiole In Chianti, Siena, Italy (Built in 1800) Price Upon Request, Sotheby’s International Realty
At The Patterson Group, we take pride in our brand’s legacy and strive to provide our clients with unparalleled service throughout the entire real estate journey and beyond. If you're in the market to buy or sell a home, it's important to work with a knowledgeable and experienced real estate agent who can guide you through the process. Contact us today to learn more.
