As spritz trends come and go, one has had quiet staying power, the summer spritz. A simple, elegant marriage of prosecco, soda water, elderflower liqueur, and lemon, the libation is a wonderful platform for seasonal garnishes like edible flowers in the summer.
“The seductive bouquet offers wonderfully floral, fruity, guava- and melon-like fragrances of elderflower, becoming richly pear- and quince-like following aeration time,” Wine Enthusiast reported in 2008, a year after the liqueur hit the market. “The palate entry is soft and firm; the midpalate is integrated, harmonious and exquisitely balanced between alcohol level, sweetness, acidity and floral impact. A perfect liqueur.”
The key to a very good summer spritz lies in achieving a balance of flavors through well-chosen ingredients. The key elements are proportion and synergy, ensuring no single flavor dominates, but instead, they come together to form a refreshing and easy beverage.
The Elderflower spritz certainly seems to have benefitted from the ongoing low-ABV trend. Spritzes tend to have a lower ABV, and in 2023, spritz sales nearly tripled. They’re now the seventh most popular cocktail in the U.S., even beating out the Espresso Martini.
Variations on a Classic
Traditionally, the summer spritz is made with 1.5 ounces of elderflower liqueur, two ounces of soda water, and two ounces of prosecco—plus a twist of lemon and perhaps some floral garnish, for good measure. However the opportunities for customization are endless.
In fact, you can make the cocktail even more French by using Champagne instead of prosecco and by adding a splash of fresh lime juice for an extra zing that balances the liqueur. It's recommended to use 90 grams, or a little over three ounces—directly into the glass on a scale to be as precise as possible without losing the fizz.
A nice dry Cava instead of prosecco can be used. To incorporate a touch more acidity use .5 ounces of lemon juice. To up the botanical depth, add .5 ounces of gin.
The interplay between the sweet and floral notes of elderflower liqueur, the acidity from the lemon juice, the juniper and citrusy notes of gin, the dry minerality of Cava and powerful bubbles of soda water creates a well-rounded cocktail.
How to Serve a Summer Spritz
The glass of choice for the summer spritz is a stemless wine glass, and she garnishes with a lemon wheel and peel twist for an aromatic touch and an edible flower for a hint of elegance. A tall Collins glass filled with ice is another popular vessel for the cocktail.
When making the the French version, use XL ice cubes, which are 32 by 32 by 32 mm. Their higher-than-standard size means they also keep [the drink] cold without over-diluting it or breaking the bubbles.
It's recommended to serve the cocktail in a high-quality wine glass, like Riedel’s Champagne glass, which is perfectly balanced and very elegant yet robust. But make sure your glass isn’t too thin, so that it can safely hold the ice cubes and you can cheer with it.
Summer Spritz Recipe
Ingredients
1.5 ounces elderflower liqueur
2 ounces prosecco or any dry sparkling wine
2 ounces soda water
Lemon twist
Edible flowers (optional)
Directions
Pour the liqueur over ice into your glass. Top with prosecco and soda water.
Stir. Twist a lemon peel over your drink and garnish with edible flowers, if desired.
