Top 10 spritzes to drink this summer
Year on year, the demand for spritz cocktails in the UK increases. db takes a look at the top 10 spritzes to drink this summer, from the instantly recognisable to the obscure.
Aperol
The one we all know and (mostly) love. Aperol Spritzes aren’t going anywhere any time soon and for good reason. A tantalising concoction of bitter, sweet and fruity notes, combine it with prosecco and soda water and you have yourself a quite sensational summer beverage. Don’t get me wrong it has its haters. I’ve frequently heard it being referred to as tasting like earwax. The truth is you don’t get to the top without making enemies.
Campari
Aperol’s older and more mature sibling, Campari, famously used in negronis, is the more bitter – which I can only imagine is how Luke Hemsworth feels. Drink this if you want to avoid any potential ‘jumping on the Aperol bandwagon’ allegations and exude an air of effortless cool. Sure it’s slightly pretentious, but loads of the best things in life are.
Hugo
The new kid on the block. Hugo Spritzes have made their way over to English shores more and more over the last few years and for good reason. Composed of an elderflower liquor and most commonly garnished with mint, they serve as a mouthwateringly refreshing option on hot summer days.
Sipello
Arguably the most Italian-sounding of the bunch and yet quintessentially British, Sipello is made by blending British gooseberries, rhubarb, elderflower, and the little-known but incredibly named chuckleberry. The aperitif is a striking crimson red colour, but tastes fruitier and more herbaceous than the similarly coloured Campari.
Sarti
I guarantee you’ll be seeing this one crop up on drinks menus more and more over the course of this summer. Already a hit in Italy and large parts of France, this pink-hued liqueur has notes of blood orange, mango and passionfruit. Delightfully tropical and effortlessly Instagrammable, the drink has all the elements to rival Aperol as the next big spritz.
Partner Content
Limoncello
Another mainstay of the spritz game, the Limoncello spritz remains a popular option for palettes that favour a sweeter, tarter beverage. Limoncello is predominantly produced in southern Italy, around the Gulf of Naples in particular. While others on the list may be stealing headlines and dominating social media feeds at the moment, the consistency of the limoncello spritz cannot be overlooked.
Lillet
The unsung hero of Bond’s Vesper Martini, Lillet Blanc is also delightful when given the limelight in a spritz cocktail. Unlike the majority of entrants on this list, Lillet is classed as an “aromatised wine”, meaning a drink that is at least 75% wine, with added herbs, spices, fruits and sweeteners. Lightly sweet, with citrus, floral, and subtle honey notes, Lillet has a uniquely delicious flavour profile.
Cynar
Made from artichokes and herbs, Cynar is unquestionably the most unique liqueur on the list and the one that I will no doubt have the trickiest job selling to you. Bitter, slightly earthy, and with Good Housekeeping reporting “it gives more cola vibes”, Cynar is definitely worth giving a try in your spritzes, even just for the fact that you can tell people you’re drinking liquid artichoke.
Cappelletti
All of you Aperol drinkers from before, listen up. I guarantee you’ve not heard of cappelletti before, and if you have why you’re still opting for Aperol is beyond me. Cappelletti encapsulates the same juicy richness but is just oh-so more suave. Here’s to hoping it finds its way over to British shores with more regularity, because marketing is perhaps the only area in which it lags behind its orange cousin.
Ambrosia
Named after the drink of the Greek gods, this entry has a lot to live up to. The first aperitif made of honey, it is also made up of turmeric, carrots, blood orange and cantaloupe. Now I know that ingredient list may sound more like that on your morning vitamin shot, but I assure you this liqueur is gorgeously refreshing, sitting on the sweeter end of the bittersweet scale.
Related news
Top 10 drinks launches from June
