Red Wine Spritzer

Who says red wine is just for cozy winter nights? Transform your favorite red into a cool, refreshing spritzer that’s ideal for summer barbecues and outdoor gatherings. This unexpected twist on a classic combines the rich flavors of your favorite red wine with the lightness of sparkling water, creating a surprisingly versatile warm-weather drink.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and buy something, Feast + West receives a small commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are our own. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

About this Red Wine Spritzer recipe

Don’t get me wrong: I love a glass of red wine. Especially with a thick, juicy steak! And some potatoes, of course. Honestly, that’s my favorite date night right there.

But sometimes I want the flavor of red wine without the heaviness. That’s where the red wine spritzer comes in. It’s made with red wine and sparkling water served over ice. It’s fizzy, fun and a fantastic drink for nights when you don’t want a heavy drink!

If you’ve never tried this lighter version of a glass of wine, you’ll love how effervescent, easy and elegant the wine spritzer can be. It’s versatile too — I’ll show you how to make it with white wine or rosé wine too.

More red wine recipes: Red Wine Sangria • Devil’s Margarita • Frozen Sangria • Mulled Wine

Why you’ll love this recipe

You’ll love this recipe, for a few reasons:

• Spritzers bring you a bright, fizzy experience that’s tailor-made for sunny days by the water, on the balcony or in the backyard.
• By cutting wine with sparkling water, spritzers are a lighter alternative to pure wine — a great option for anyone seeking a gentler alcoholic beverage with a lower ABV (alcohol by volume).
• From the wine you choose to your perfect bubble ratio, spritzers are a simple yet adaptable blank canvas for crafting your ideal summer drink.

What is a wine spritzer?

Wine spritzers are light and refreshing drinks made by mixing wine with bubbly soda water. They can be made with red, white or rosé wine. They are similar to the beer shandy, which is made by combining beer and sparkling lemonade.

Wine spritzers are enjoyed around the world, but they hail from Germany. The word spritzer is German, but most Germans refer to them as Schorle.

Spritzers dilute the wine, resulting in a drink with less alcohol. They are a great way to enjoy the flavors of wine while consuming less alcohol overall and a good choice for day drinking or extended social occasions.

The spritzer is different from the Italian spritz family of cocktails, like the Aperol Spritz and Campari Spritz. Those feature apéritifs with a bitter flavor, and the bubbles often come from prosecco. While they can be made with fortified wines, like the Lillet Spritz, the bitter flavor of spritzes makes them very different from wine spritzers.

Tools & glassware

You don’t need much to make a spritzer! A good wine opener is crucial if you have a bottle with a cork. (I always try to grab wine with a screwtop — I’m always so annoyed with myself when I judge by the label and not the seal.)

You’ll also want to use a wine glass for your spritzer. You can use a classic stemmed one or go stemless. It’s up to you!

Another thing that’s helpful is a vegetable peeler — they’re great for getting those citrus peel garnishes.

Garnishes

I embellished my white wine spritzer with a piece of orange peel and a sprig of rosemary, but you don’t have to do it that way!

Any fresh herb, such as basil, thyme or mint would be lovely here. You could also use an orange peel or lime peel or have fun with dehydrated citrus. Honestly you can use any kind of fresh fruit. Think lemon slices, fresh berries or peaches.

Some edible flowers would also be pretty — try them in ice cube form! Ice is a great way to level up a cocktail. You could have fun with berry ice cubes or herb ice cubes here too.

Best red wine for spritzers

For a red wine spritzer, you can use any red wine you enjoy, whether it’s dry or sweet. You may go whichever direction you like! That’s the beauty of a wine spritzer.

A sweeter red wine may be more refreshing for summer, but it’s really up to you. Personally, I prefer one that is more dry, but you can use either. For help choosing one, check out this guide to red wine.

For a sweeter spritzer, opt for varieties known for their fruitier profiles or residual sugar content. Good choices include Syrah, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, or Beaujolais. These wines often offer more approachable flavors. The label might mention helpful information about the wine’s sweetness level.

Substitutions & variations

Mix things up with one of these variations:

Other types of wine: You can make spritzers with other kinds of wine, sure! Try a rosé or white wine.

Sweetness: Most red wines are pretty dry to start. If you want a sweeter drink, go for a sweeter red wine, like a Syrah or Shiraz, or a fruity and easy-drinking Pinot Noir or Beaujolais. Sometimes the label will mention if it’s sweet! If your selection isn’t sweet enough for you, add some plain simple syrup. You could also use lemon-lime or ginger ale soda for the bubbles. If it’s too sweet, add a spritz of citrus to cut the sugar.

Other flavors: Use a flavored sparkling water. Citrus flavors would go well with rosé. You could also use a flavored simple syrup (start with ¼ ounce) or add a couple drops of bitters over top to add more layers of flavor.

Kalimotxo: Also called the Calimocho, this drink is a combination of red wine and cola, and is enjoyed around the world.

Instructions

Spritzers are incredibly easy two-ingredient drinks. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

First, add ice to the glass. Wine isn’t usually served on the rocks, but spritzers are an exception to that rule! It’s not pure wine, after all.

Then fill the glass halfway with red wine. Over top, pour on the bubbles.

If you’re adding a garnish, add it on top. Give any citrus or their peels a little twist as you drop it into the glass to release the essential oils into the drink.

Tips & tricks

Here are some tips and tricks for making this recipe:

• Opt for crisp, fruity wines that are enjoyable on their own. These will make the best spritzers.
• Chill your ingredients. Ice-cold wine and sparkling water make for the most refreshing drinks.
• Adjust the ratio. Start with 3:1 of wine to soda water, or go with a 50/50 mix for a lighter drink.
• Try different sparkling waters or even flavored seltzers to create unique flavor combinations and find your perfect spritzer.

Food pairings

The red wine spritzer is the ultimate summer cocktail. Serve it at bachelorette parties, engagement parties or wedding showers. It’s also great for brunch, picnics, pool days and beach hangs.

Red wine goes really well with hearty foods, like casual steak nachos or an elevated roasted lamb breast.

Some red wine brownies would be the perfect chocolatey companion.

FAQ

More wine cocktail recipes

• White Wine Sangria
• Rosé Wine Sangria
• Devil’s Margarita