Amaro Spritz
A bright, bittersweet aperitif that layers herbaceous amaro with dry sparkling wine and a lift of soda. Built over ice, it is crisp, aromatic, and sessionable.
History of Amaro Spritz
Spritz culture began in the Habsburg-influenced north of Italy, where wine was lengthened with soda for easier daytime drinking. Over time, local bittersweet liqueurs joined the mix, creating the now-familiar balance of liqueur, wine, and fizz. The Amaro Spritz is a modern branch of this family, swapping orange-led bitters for darker, herbal amari. Exact origins are hard to pin down, as bars have long riffed on the template with whatever liqueur was on hand. As amari gained global popularity, bartenders leaned into their complex spice, citrus peel, and alpine herb notes. The result is a more aromatic, gently bitter alternative that still reads as breezy and social. Today the Amaro Spritz sits comfortably on warm-weather lists and home patios alike. It bridges the gap between a straightforward wine spritzer and a more assertive bitter aperitivo. The drink’s charm is its ease: no shaker, minimal technique, and immediate refreshment.
Why the Amaro Spritz Works
The amaro provides depth: herbs, roots, and citrus peel bring layered bitterness that stays friendly once lengthened. Dry sparkling wine adds lift, subtle fruit, and a crisp finish that tidies sweetness from the liqueur. A short splash of soda raises the carbonation and keeps the palate lively without diluting flavour. Building over ice prioritises texture and temperature. Chilled ingredients and plentiful fresh ice reduce melt, so the drink remains bright rather than watery. A single gentle stir integrates the components while protecting bubbles. An orange wheel garnish reinforces the amaro’s citrus and provides an aromatic cue before each sip. The ratio is forgiving, allowing you to tune bitterness and sweetness by nudging the amaro up or down. It is a crowd-pleaser that still delivers character.
Should You Mix Ahead?
For a party, premix the amaro and dry sparkling wine in a chilled jug at a 1:2 ratio. Keep it sealed and cold to retain fizz as much as possible. Add soda and ice only at the moment of service. Alternatively, batch just the amaro and keep bottles of sparkling wine on ice. This maintains maximum carbonation while speeding up rounds. Measure into glasses over ice, then top and garnish. Do not add garnish to the batch; citrus oils can mute carbonation and drift in flavour over time. Aim to serve within a couple of hours for best texture. Always keep everything as cold as you can.
Food & Snack Pairings
Pair with salty snacks like olives, crisps, and roasted nuts. The bitterness refreshes the palate between bites and cuts through oiliness. Simple, assertive flavours work best. Light seafood such as prawns, white anchovies, or fried calamari echo the coastal aperitivo vibe. The bubbles clean up the palate and the amaro’s herbs complement briny notes. Add lemon to the dish to mirror the drink’s brightness. Cured meats and young cheeses make a relaxed spread. The drink’s carbonation and gentle bitterness keep richness in check. Grilled vegetables with herbs are a strong non-meat option.
How to Make Amaro Spritz
Chill a stemmed wine glass and your ingredients. Cold liquid preserves carbonation and limits dilution. Have your orange wheel ready. Fill the glass with fresh cubed ice. Add amaro first to coat the ice and anchor flavour. Top with dry sparkling wine, then a short splash of soda. Give a single gentle stir to integrate without losing bubbles. Garnish with an orange wheel. Serve immediately while lively and cold.
When to Serve
Best as an early evening aperitif when the light is soft and the air is warm. It invites conversation rather than silence. Serve before dinner to wake the palate. Ideal for summer gatherings, picnics, and garden parties. The low fuss build suits hosting and casual occasions. It also travels well for outdoor service. A fine brunch option for those who prefer bitter to sweet. The lower strength and sparkle keep it daytime-friendly. Offer alongside light bites.
Common Mistakes
Using warm ingredients dulls carbonation and exaggerates sweetness. Keep everything cold and use plenty of fresh ice. If the drink tastes flat, rebuild with chilled components.
Overdilution from wet, small, or melting ice leads to a watery finish. Use large, hard cubes and build quickly. Stir just once to integrate without knocking out bubbles.
Choosing an overly sweet wine can make the drink cloying. Select a dry style and adjust soda sparingly. If bitterness is too firm, add a small extra splash of wine.
Recommended
Best amaro for Amaro Spritz
Choose a medium-bitter amaro with balanced sweetness and clear citrus peel notes. Very syrupy or heavy alpine styles can dominate and feel cloying once lengthened. Aim for a mid-range ABV so the drink remains lively rather than brooding.
Best wine for Amaro Spritz
Use a dry, crisp sparkling white wine with fine bubbles. Extra-dry or brut styles keep sweetness in check and let the herbs from the amaro shine. Avoid sweet or heavily aromatic wines that can muddy the profile.
Best bitters for Amaro Spritz
Orange bitters amplify peel notes and add spice without increasing sweetness. Two dashes are enough to frame the amaro and sharpen the nose. More can dominate and mute the wine’s delicacy.
Taste Profile
Ingredients
Instructions
Chill and prepare the glass
Fill a chilled wine glass with fresh, solid ice to the top.
Add core ingredients
Pour 2 oz amaro into the glass, then add 3 oz dry sparkling wine.
Top and integrate
Top with 1 oz soda water and give one or two gentle stirs to integrate without flattening the bubbles.
Garnish and serve
Garnish with an orange slice and serve immediately while cold and effervescent.
Bartender Tips
Chill everything
Keep the amaro and sparkling wine in the fridge and use fresh, hard ice to preserve carbonation and clarity.
Mind the ratio
Stick to the 3–2–1 structure and adjust only slightly to taste; a heavier hand with amaro can quickly dominate.
Gentle stir
A brief, delicate stir integrates flavours without scrubbing out the fizz and nose‑tickling aromatics.
Use a non-alcoholic bitter herbal aperitif in place of amaro, then top with alcohol-free sparkling wine and soda. Keep the ratio the same and garnish with fresh orange for aroma. The profile stays bittersweet and refreshing with much lower impact. If you cannot find alcohol-free wine, lengthen the zero-proof amaro with chilled soda water and a squeeze of fresh orange. This preserves carbonation and bright citrus while reducing sweetness. Serve over plenty of ice to maintain texture. For extra bite, add a few drops of non-alcoholic bitters or a strip of expressed orange peel. Keep everything very cold to mimic the crisp snap of the original. The result is an aperitif-style spritz suitable for any time of day.
Similar Drinks
Frequently Asked Questions
Which amaro works best in an Amaro Spritz?
Pick a medium-bitter, herbal amaro with citrus peel and spice, not one that is intensely minty or heavily syrupy. You want enough backbone to stand up to bubbles without overwhelming the palate. If in doubt, start with something mid-strength and adjust the ratio to taste.
What is the correct technique for building it?
Chill the glass and ingredients, fill with fresh cubed ice, add amaro, then sparkling wine, then a short splash of soda. Give one gentle stir to integrate while preserving carbonation. Avoid shaking or vigorous stirring, which drives off bubbles.
How strong does it feel and when should I serve it?
It drinks light and lively, with an approximate 12% ABV once diluted and carbonated. Serve as an aperitif before a meal or during relaxed daytime gatherings. The bitterness refreshes without fatiguing the palate.
Can I batch it ahead of time and what should I pair with it?
You can premix amaro with dry sparkling wine and keep it very cold, but add soda and garnish at service to protect fizz. Pair with salty snacks, seafood, and light charcuterie; the bubbles and bitterness tidy richness and salt. If it tastes too sweet, switch to a drier wine or add a touch more soda.
Hangover Risk
Risk Level
Hangover risk based on alcohol type, content, and serving size: 2/5. Always drink responsibly.
Recipe Rating
Based on 3 reviews