Lambrusco Spritz

Say hello to the Lambrusco Spritz, a sparkling red wine cocktail that’s equal parts sophisticated and festive! This cocktail is the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a bottle of Lambrusco. Just add your favorite amaro like Campari or Amaro Nonino and celebrate the beauty of winter citrus with this classic Lambrusco Spritz.

Bright, refreshing, and endlessly customizable, it’s a toast-worthy addition to any holiday gathering. See my fall, frozen, and Batched Lambrusco Spritz versions below. Cin cin!

Watch Me Mix a Lambrusco Spritz

What Makes a Spritz a Spritz

Well, first, let’s talk about how cute it is that “spritz” means “a splash” in German. But despite it’s name origins, the spritz is an Italian cocktail through and through. It has a base recipe of 3 parts sparkling wine + 2 parts bitter liqueur + a splash of soda water and is usually served before dinner. They usually come with a zesty garnish, too.

A classic Lambrusco Spritz is just Lambrusco (chilled!) and soda water or sparkling water, but you can also add your favorite bitter liqueur like Aperol, Campari, or Amaro Nonino (like I do!).

What Does a Lambrusco Spritz Taste Like?

The Lambrusco Spritz is somewhere between a spritz, sangria, and sparkling red wine cocktail. It’s:

• Fruity and bubbly
• Refreshing and lightly bitter
• Slightly juicy
• Crisp and citrusy
• More wine-forward than most spritzes

Lambrusco Spritz Ingredients

What is Lambrusco?

Lambrusco is an Italian sparkling red wine made from Lambrusco grapes. Some are sweet while others are dry, but they all have bright notes of red fruit, citrus, and berries. If you love Lambrusco, try this Lambrusco Sbagliato.

It can sometimes be hard to find Lambrusco in stores these days (try World Market!) If you can find it, don’t be tempted by the cheaper bottles as they’re going to way too sweet, like syrup! You can definitely find a delicious, dry, and balanced Lambrusco for around $20 and the few extra dollars you spend is totally worth it. I usually buy Lucci, Medici, or Pezzuoli.

What is Amaro?

Amaro is a bitter Italian herbal liqueur that’s perfect for balancing a bubbly Lambrusco and zingy citrus. Aperol and Campari are two of the most well-known amari as they are the signature liqueurs in many spritz cocktails. For this Lambrusco spritz recipe, I used Amaro Nonino.

Amaro Nonino is made from aged grappa (brandy distilled from fermented grape residue) and a wintery blend of herbs, spices, and roots. Nonino has a sort of allspice and orange peel flavor, making it the perfect holiday amaro for a spritz.

Lambrusco Spritz Variations

Fall Lambrusco Spritz

I always feel like red wine is made for fall. But Lambrusco being bubbly kind of changes things. When I want to amplify the fall sipping vibes, especially on a still-warm September day, I love adding a flavored simple syrup that gives it a little seasonal magic. You could add any flavored syrup you want, but I prefer a Rosemary Olive Oil Syrup.

Frozen Lambrusco Spritz

This frozen version takes the bold, bubbly soul of a Lambrusco and spins it into basically an adult slushie. It’s equal parts bitter, juicy, and fruity. This spritz-meets-slushy hybrid is made for sharing (or not).

Take the classic Lambrusco Spritz recipe and add 1 cup frozen pitted cherries + 1 cup frozen peach slices + 1 cup ice. Add everything to a blender and blend until smooth. Or just keep it simple and leave out the extra fruit, it’s up to you!

Tips for Making the Best Lambrusco Spritz

• Serve it very cold. Lambrusco shines when properly chilled.
• Use a dry Lambrusco. Dry or semi-dry Lambrusco works best for balanced spritzes.
• Use fresh citrus. Orange pairs especially well with the dark berry notes in Lambrusco.

Why You’ll Love a Lambrusco Spritz

• The perfect holiday spritz. The minute the leaves start changing colors, I’m switching to red wine, but I also want bubbly Champagne and Prosecco during the holidays. Lambrusco is the best of both worlds. Mix this crowd-pleaser for Thanksgiving and serve it all throughout the holiday season.
• It’s so easy! With just two simple ingredients, this spritz comes together in less than 5 minutes. The ratios are so simple your guests can keep making their own all night long.
• If you love red wine but want something colder, lighter, and more refreshing for warm weather, the Lambrusco Spritz is your move.

Batch Lambrusco Spritz

Perfect for dinner parties, outdoor hosting, or Italian-inspired happy hours.

Serves 6–8

Ingredients

• 2 bottles Lambrusco (750ml each)
• 1 cup Campari or Amaro Nonino 
• 2 cups sparkling water
• Orange slices
• Ice

Instructions

1. Combine the Lambrusco and Amaro in a large pitcher.
2. Refrigerate until chilled.
3. Fill glasses with ice.
4. Pour in the spritz mixture and top with sparkling water.
5. Garnish with orange slices.

Hosting Tip

Frozen blackberries or cherries make beautiful cocktail ice cubes for Lambrusco spritzes and help enhance the dark fruit flavors.