Lambrusco Spritz

Say hello to the Lambrusco Spritz, a sparkling 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 and celebrate the beauty of winter citrus with this twist on the spritz. Bright, refreshing, and endlessly customizable, it’s a toast-worthy addition to any holiday gathering. Cin cin!

Watch Me Mix It

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.

My Lambrusco Spritz switches up the ratios a little bit, with a special splash of fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice. I use Lambrusco for the sparkling wine, Amaro Nonino for the bitter liqueur, and my favorite sparkling water.

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. Lambrusco is simply made for the holiday season.

The Lambrusco Spritz has the perfect balance of bitter, sweet, and bubbly elements, all brought together with a creative garnish. Make it your own with a sprinkle of sea salt or a citrusy twist.

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. 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. Let’s get mixing!