4 Spirits to Consider Swapping for Your Next Spritz Cocktail

Spritz cocktails are more popular than ever, and it’s not just because of this summer’s warm temperatures.

Sales of spritz cocktails tripled last year, according to CGA Strategy, a subsidiary of market research firm Nielsen. Collectively, the spritz cocktail climbed eight spots to become the seventh most popular cocktail choice, surpassing other current favorites like the Espresso Martini.

One of the most popular spritz cocktails of recent years is undoubtedly the Aperol Spritz. Aperol is a bittersweet, orange-colored Italian liqueur with a low alcohol content and a blood alcohol content of 11%, lower than most bottles of wine. The Aperol Spritz is often consumed as a aperitif (the Italian equivalent of the French word aperitifor drink before the meal for English speakers).

Earlier this year, parent company Campari celebrated its third year of double-digit growth. Aperol sales alone climbed by almost a quarter (23.1%) in 2023, driven by European and North American markets. And the aperitif brand’s fourth-quarter performance was comparable to the full year at 22.3%, a sign that these cold drinks are popular even during the winter months in these markets.

Clearly, the spritz craze is far from over, and the drinks trend shows no signs of slowing down either.

Compared to classic cocktails, the spritz is a little looser in terms of rules. It’s hard to say there’s a definitive Aperol Spritz recipe, but the most common version combines Aperol, prosecco, and a splash of soda water, garnished with an orange slice.

That said, Aperol isn’t the only option for making a spritz. Typically, a spritz cocktail is meant to be a refreshing but low-alcohol drink made with sparkling wine (often prosecco), a bitter liqueur (like Aperol or Campari), and a splash of soda water. But as the category grows, more and more consumers are interested in all sorts of spritz-based drinks, and the possibilities are virtually endless.

So here are four spirits to consider mixing into your next spritz drink. These unique and refreshing takes on the classic spritz, from black raspberry to zesty lemon citrus and freshly tart grapefruit, are about to become the drinks of the summer.

Chambord Spritz is a twist on the classic spritz cocktail, incorporating French black raspberry liqueur Chambord in place of the usual bitter liqueur. This results in a smoother, fruitier spritz with notes of raspberry, citrus and vanilla. Typically, it is made with a combination of Chambord, dry white wine or sparkling wine (like prosecco or champagne), and sparkling water. It’s often garnished with fresh raspberries and mint, making it a visually appealing and refreshing summer cocktail.

Inspired by its existing liqueurs and the shrub technique, the French brand Giffard has created a new range of alcohol-free products. This range highlights fruits and plants macerated in wine vinegar, resulting in complex flavor profiles and pronounced aromatic intensity. The reduced sugar content further enhances the natural flavors, contributing to a lingering finish and enriching the overall cocktail experience. The non-alcoholic grapefruit version is made from a maceration of grapefruit zest in white wine vinegar, and mixes deliciously with a sparkling lemon-lime soda.

Iichiko is a family-owned producer of sake, wine, and Shochu, a Japanese distilled spirit typically made from rice, barley, sweet potatoes, or buckwheat. It’s also known for its varied flavor profiles. Iichiko Saiten is a 43% ABV shochu designed for mixing cocktails. Its profile features notes of honeydew melon, white grape, pickled watermelon rind, citrus, soy, white pepper, and barley. Essentially, Saiten is a versatile alcoholic component for any spritz drink. Just be aware of the higher alcohol content.

Moné is a low-alcohol aperitif with Meyer lemon as the main flavor. It combines a fortified wine base with brandy, Meyer lemon, and organic blue agave for a balanced and refreshing taste. Designed to be versatile, Moné can be enjoyed on its own, mixed with sparkling wine or soda for a simple spritz, or incorporated into more complex craft cocktails as a flavorful ingredient.