National Spritz Day
Savoring a bubbly, refreshing concoction with a zestful twist, elevating your beverage experience to pure effervescence.
Situated at the end of summer, National Spritz Day offers an ideal opportunity to enjoy some delightful and refreshing spritz beverages. The combination of warm weather and refreshing bubbles combine together to make a festive experience whether with an Aperol spritz, a champagne cocktail, a French 75 cocktail or some other delicious spritz drink!
History of National Spritz Day
The history of National Spritz Day can be followed all the way back to the 1800s when wine drinks were combined with sparkling soda water to create a new kind of cocktail. The story goes that this was created in Italy during the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, when Austrian soldiers traveled to Italy and changed the way they drank wine. The name likely came from the fact that spritz means “splash” in German, referring to the splash of soda water that was placed in the wine.
Since that time the spritz drink has evolved to become a combination of certain liqueurs, particularly bitters, with prosecco or champagne or club soda, often with a garnish or a citrus twist. While the Aperol Spritz has become one of the more popular of the drinks in this family, there are a number of other delicious spritz drinks that can be enjoyed hailing not only from Italy, but all over the world.
The Aperol company started making their orange bitter liqueur in the early 1900s but the recipe for the Aperol Spritz didn’t evolve until the 1950s. But it wasn’t until several decades later, in the 2000s, that the Aperol company made a marketing push and the cocktail really began to become popular across the ocean in the United States. While Aperol has a flavor that is a lot like Campari, this one has a much lower alcohol content, making the Aperol Spritz a refreshing drink that has a low alcohol content.
Other popular versions of spritz drinks can include almost any type of bitter combined with sparkling wine and club soda. This might include kiwi, mimosa, honey-lemon, Pimm’s spritz and so many others. National Spritz Day was established with the desire to promote these delicious cocktails and have some fun with them.
National Spritz Day offers a delightful opportunity to celebrate and enjoy this refreshing beverage!
National Spritz Day Timeline
1800s
Spritz drinks get their start
Austrian soldiers visiting Italy dilute wine with soda water to make it lighter and less strong.[1]
1919
Aperol bitter aperitif is first made
One of the most popular mixers for spritzes, this orange liqueur is made by brothers in Italy.
1950s
Official Aperol Spritz recipe is born
Found in an advertisement, the first recipe for Aperol Spritz is published.[2]
2016
The book Spritz is published
This book by Talia Baiocchi and Leslie Pariseau features stories behind and recipes for this Italian sparkling drink.[3]
How to Celebrate National Spritz Day
Have loads of fun with a wide range of spritz cocktail drinks that are often low in alcohol. In honor of National Spritz Day, get started with some of these ideas for celebrating:
Enjoy Drinking a Spritz Cocktail
One of the best things to do in honor of National Spritz Day would be to grab a few friends, head over to the bar after work and order up a delicious spritz drink. Or, even better, take the day off, hang out by the pool in the warm weather, and enjoy drinking some spritzes there. Whichever version of spritz cocktail is chosen and however it is enjoyed, this is definitely a delightful day to celebrate!
Try A New Kind of Spritz
An excellent way to get creative during National Spritz Day might be to get creative with different spritz recipes. This might include inviting a group of friends over to make spritz drinks together at a low-key party, or just cozy up at home in an intimate setting.
Check out some of these spritz recipes to get started celebrating the day:
- Spring Fever Spritz. Fresh strawberries, elderflower syrup, lemon juice, rhubarb bitters and chilled sparkling rose wine can be topped off with a lemon slice garnish.
- Americano Spritz. This simple spritz recipe only needs Campari, sweet vermouth, soda water and an orange twist garnish.
- Channel Orange Spritz. Enjoy this bright and citrusy drink that includes Negroni Aperitivo Sixteen, Amara Sicilian blood orange liqueur, Granada-Vallet pomegranate liqueur, prosecco and grapefruit soda.
- Hugo Spritz. Muddle mint is combined with St Germain, prosecco and soda water, topped off with a garnish of mint and a lemon wheel.
Make a Simple Aperol Spritz
Those who are interested in making Aperol Spritzes in honor of National Spritz Day but aren’t quite sure of the recipe can remember it with the simple rule of 3-2-1. Start by filling a large stemmed glass with ice. Then add three parts chilled prosecco, two parts Aperol, and one part sparkling water. Choose to garnish with an orange wheel just for fun.
Read a Book About Spritzes
Who knew that the family of spritz drinks would become so popular that several books would be written about it? Well, it certainly has! And an excellent way to celebrate National Spritz Day would be to show some appreciation for the drink by learning a bit more about it through some books. Head on over to the public library or a locally owned bookstore and get one of these books to learn a bit more:
- Spritz Fever!: Sixty Champagne and Sparkling Wine Cocktails by Elouise Anders (2019). Become a certified “fizz whiz” with this book that offers access to so many different bubbly wonders with classic European liqueurs and the best garnishes for every drink.
- Spritz: Italy’s Most Iconic Aperitivo Cocktail, with Recipes by Talia Baiocchi and Leslie Pariseau (2016). Learn more about the surprising history of the spritz cocktail along with the best way to build a spritz bar.
- Spritz Cocktails: 40 thirst-quenching sodas, highballs and sparklers by Ryland Peters & Small (2023). Learn how to put a modern twist on this interesting and refreshing drink, with experiments like White Soy and Watermelon.
- Just a Spritz: 57 Simple Sparkling Sips with Low to No Alcohol by Danielle Centoni (2022). Providing light recipes for every palate and occasion, this book incorporates a number of new spritz recipes including the Cappelletti Shandy, the Margarita Spritz, the Raspberry Beret and many exciting others.
Have fun with other days similar to National Spritz Day, such as National Prosecco Day on August 13 or National Bubbly Day on January 1.
National Spritz Day FAQs
How to make Aperol Spritz?
This spritz drink is made from prosecco, Aperol, club soda and a slice of orange.[1]
What is a spritz?
A spritz is a bubbly, wine-based cocktail.[2]
How to make a white wine spritzer?
A spritzer can be made from chilled white wine, club soda and a lemon slice for garnish.
Where did spritz originate?
The spritz can be traced back to the 1800s in northeastern Italy.
Does Aperol Spritz have alcohol?
The low 11% of alcohol in Aperol makes it a good choice for a moderate drinker.
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