The ultimate wedding cocktail: The Spritz

It’s a hot day, you’ve been running around–getting your hair done, your nails, your panicking. Did he write his vows? Why did my bridesmaid pick those shoes. Where are the gifts for my bridesmaid? You walk down the aisle, say I do. His vows were sweet, moving. Now its party time— let’s get something to drink. That’s when you see it. Carefully lined up in nice neat rows, a fresh burst of color, your wedding cocktail. You move in, the bartender adds the bubbling cool prosecco, a few ice cubes—and you are refreshed and relaxed. This is the affect an Aperol Spritz can have on a bride or her wedding planner (wink wink).

Let’s learn how to make the perfect Spritz and then a few variations to spice it up.

Aperol Spritz is as Italian as Prosecco and Red Chianti Wine, so you can’t pick any other wedding cocktail more compatible for your Italian wedding. But what is you don’t like Aperol Spritz? I personally love it but there are so many other different spritz options it will appease the most demanding for their wedding cocktail.

Try these out at home to decide the best one for your wedding in Tuscany.

According to Aperol’s official website you take a large wine glass and fill it with ice. Then you combine equal parts prosecco and Aperol, and a dash of soda water. Garnish with a lovely Sicilian blood orange and Cin-Cin!!! Spritz time. I find that choosing a fairly decent Prosecco is paramount, because you can find yourself with a nasty headache if you decide to pinch pennies. I also find that getting a sweet juicy orange really adds to the overall flavor of the cocktail and adds a little bit of needed sweetness to the drink. I’ve also had versions with candied oranges, which I’ve also really like as the liquid mixed with the crunchy candied fruit gives it texture.

The word Spritz is synonymous with Aperol Spritz, but many don’t like the bitterness of the Aperol and there are many other versions to satisfy all. By definition a Spritz is a mixed drink with Prosecco, so let’s see some other recipes for your wedding cocktail.

One can always use other sister product to Aperol to make your Spritz— I’ve had brides choose the Campari Spritz. Campari is less bitter but has a kick to it… why not had some fresh peperoncino peppers to really spice things up.

Limoncello Spritz:

This one is so fresh and tart that I want to go get one right now. Imagine the cool freshness of the lemon mixed with the bubbly prosecco— I’d say this is going to go down smooth… in fact, I’ll have another before I’ve ordered my first.

Garnish:

1 sprig fresh mint leaves and 3 lemon slices

For the drink

• 1 oz Club soda
• 2/3 Prosecco to 1/3 Limoncello
• Ice

Directions: Take a large wine glass and fill with ice. Add lemons. Add prosecco and limoncello along with a dash of club soda. Mix with Mint Sprig. Enjoy and then make another…. and two for your wedding planner!

Rose Spritz

It’s no big shocker to those who know me that I love everything rose. I’ve got rose tea, roses on my balcony, rose perfume, so why not a Rose Spritz? Edible Rose petals can be purchased for the garnish and Farmacia Santa Maria Novella has delicious Rose Liquor — I know I’ve tried it– so why not? The recipe is similar to the Limoncello Spritz…add a little less liquor as it is pretty strong… you don’t want to get too silly to quickly.

Recipe:

Garnish:

Raspberries, edible dried rose petals

Drink:

1/4 part Farmacia Santa Maria Rose Elisir— can be ordered here

1/4 part club soda

1/2 part Prosecco

Ice

Directions: Take a champagne class and add ice. Pour in the Rose Elisir, club soda and Prosecco. Mix well, garnish with edible rose petals an raspberries. Don’t add too many petals because then they get stuck to your lips… I know from experience. It’s not very nice to chew the petals either.

Do you have any Spritz recipes you’d like to share for your wedding cocktail? Please do so in the comments, we’d love to try them.

Now there is nothing left to do but to head out, and get what we need to practice at home. Then decide which Spritz are the right ones for your wedding cocktail… I know your guests will be happy with whichever one you choose!

Contact us today for your wedding in Tuscany!