Beat the summer heat with a refreshing White Wine Spritzer. This simple yet sophisticated cocktail combines crisp white wine with sparkling water for a light, effervescent drink that’s perfect for sipping on warm afternoons. You need the right ratio to craft the perfect white wine spritzer, and we’ve got it right here.
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About this White Wine Spritzer recipe
In spring and summer, all I want is a refreshing drink. (You too, right?) Sometimes I don’t want said drink to be super heavy. White wine is a good go-to, but if I want something even lighter, then I’ll go for a wine spritzer.
What’s a wine spritzer? It’s a cocktail made with wine and sparkling water served over ice. It’s fizzy, fun and a fantastic drink for nights when you don’t want a full cocktail.
If you’ve never tried this twist on 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 rosé or red wine too.
More white wine recipes: Margarita Sangria • White Wine Sangria • Pomegranate Cocktail
Why you’ll love this recipe
You’ll love this recipe, for a few reasons:
- Effervescent and crisp, spritzers offer a cool respite from summer heat, so they’re perfect for hot summer days.
- With reduced alcohol levels, spritzers let you imbibe leisurely without the full impact of undiluted wine.
- Endlessly customizable, spritzers invite you to experiment with various wines, bubbles and proportions to suit your tastes.
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. If not, well, screw tops for the win!
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
Garnishes
I garnished this red wine spritzer with a piece of lemon peel and a sprig of rosemary, but you don’t have to do it just like me!
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 white wine for spritzers
Light and bright white wine is the highlight of this cocktail. Whites can be sweet or dry, and you may go whichever direction you like! That’s the beauty of a wine spritzer. Personally, I prefer one that is more dry, but you can use either. For help choosing one, check out this guide to white wine.
A dry or semi-dry white wine, like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, is better if you prefer a less-sweet drink. However, if you prefer a sweeter drink, use Moscato or Riesling.
No matter what you choose, be sure to chill your white wine for at least two hours before mixing it into any cocktail.
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 red or rosé wine.
Sweetness: If you like a sweeter drink, go for a sweeter wine, like a moscato or riesling. 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.
Instructions
Spritzers are easy as pie! 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 white 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.
Best ratio
The beauty of a wine spritzer is you can make it anyway you like. Adjust the ratio to your preferences. You can always add a splash of one or the other if it’s not quite right the first time.
- 3:1 ratio: This will be more wine and less bubbles, so it will be a stronger version. (6 ounces wine, 2 ounces club soda)
- 1:1 ratio: Go 50/50 if you prefer a lighter drink. (4 ounces wine, 4 ounces club soda)
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 white wine spritzer is the best summer cocktail. It’s elegant enough for dinner parties, engagement parties or wedding showers. It’s also great for brunch, picnics, pool days and beach hangs.
White wine pairs well with fish, seafood and chicken. Try it with an elegant penne rosa or a casual platter of popcorn shrimp and some marinara sauce.
Mediterranean foods like these punchy garlic herb roasted olives, creamy white bean hummus or fluffy whipped feta dip would all be delicious.
It also goes well with cheese. Make a batch of marinated cheese or serve crackers and a pimento cheese spread.
FAQ
White wine spritzers can be made with dry or sweet white wines, depending on your preference. For a drier spritzer, try Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. For sweeter options, use Moscato or Riesling. Regardless of your choice, always chill the wine thoroughly before mixing your cocktail.
Wine spritzers are a combination of wine and sparkling water, whereas wine coolers are made with wine and fruit juice.
The spritzer is different from the three-ingredient 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. Wine spritzers are made by combining wine and sparkling water.
More wine cocktail recipes
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White Wine Spritzer
ingredients
- 6 ounces white wine
- 2 ounces club soda
- lemon peel for garnish
- fresh rosemary or other fresh herbs, for garnish
instructions
- Add ice to a wine glass.
- Then fill the glass halfway with white 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.
notes
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