Pink Gin Spritz
This pink gin spritz is light, bubbly, and gently bittersweet, with grapefruit juice, dry sparkling wine, and a splash of soda. It is a simple built-in-the-glass cocktail for warm evenings, brunch, or a small celebration
- Total time
- 5 min
- Yield
- 1 cocktail
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 5mCook 0mBritish-ItalianDrinks
A pink gin spritz sits somewhere between a classic pink gin and an Italian-style spritz. The gin brings clean botanical flavor, grapefruit adds a rosy tartness, and sparkling wine makes it feel bright without much effort.
This recipe is built straight in the glass, which means no shaker is needed. “Build” just means you pour the ingredients over ice in the serving glass and stir gently.
Use a dry sparkling wine, such as prosecco, cava, or sparkling rosé, so the drink stays crisp. If you like a softer drink, add a little more soda water at the end.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
8 items · 1 cocktail
- Ice, enough to fill a large wine glass
- 1 1/2 ounces dry gin
- 1 ounce pink grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed if possible
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 3 ounces chilled dry sparkling wine, such as prosecco, cava, or sparkling rosé
- 1 ounce chilled club soda
- 1 grapefruit twist, for garnish
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the glass
Place a large wine glass in the refrigerator for a few minutes if you have time. A cold glass helps the spritz stay crisp and slows down ice melt.
2. Fill with ice
Add enough ice to fill the glass about three-quarters full. Large cubes work well because they melt more slowly than small chips.
3. Add the gin base
Pour the gin, pink grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and bitters over the ice. This creates the pink, bittersweet base of the drink.
4. Stir gently
Stir for about 5 seconds with a long spoon. You only need to combine and chill the ingredients, not whip air into them.
5. Pour in the sparkling wine
Slowly add the chilled sparkling wine. Pour down the side of the glass if you can, which helps keep more bubbles in the drink.
6. Top with soda
Add the club soda. Give the drink one very gentle lift with the spoon from bottom to top so the flavors mix without flattening the bubbles.
7. Garnish and serve
Twist the grapefruit peel over the glass to release its oils, then drop it in or rest it on the rim. Serve right away while the spritz is cold and fizzy.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Mix the gin, grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and bitters up to 24 hours ahead. Keep the mixture covered in the refrigerator, then add ice, sparkling wine, and soda just before serving.
- Storage: A finished spritz does not store well because the bubbles fade and the ice waters it down. If you have leftovers, strain out the ice and refrigerate for a few hours, but expect a flatter drink.
- Gin swap: If you use a commercial pink gin, check whether it is sweetened. You may want to reduce the simple syrup to 1/4 ounce or skip it.
- Sparkling wine swap: Prosecco makes the drink fruity and soft. Cava is usually drier. Sparkling rosé adds extra color and berry notes.
- No simple syrup: Stir 1 teaspoon sugar with the grapefruit juice until dissolved, or use 1/2 ounce agave syrup. Honey works too, but it has a stronger flavor.
- Less alcohol: Use 1 ounce gin instead of 1 1/2 ounces and increase the soda to 2 ounces. The drink will be lighter but still refreshing.
Cook's note
Simple syrup is equal parts sugar and water. To make a small batch, stir 1/4 cup sugar with 1/4 cup hot water until clear, then cool. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Nutrition is calculated for the drink as written and excludes the grapefruit twist garnish.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I make a pink gin spritz without pink gin?
Yes. This recipe uses dry gin plus grapefruit juice and bitters to create a pink color and a classic bittersweet flavor. If you have pink gin, you can use it, but taste before adding the full amount of simple syrup.
What glass should I use?
A large wine glass is the usual choice for a spritz because it has room for ice and bubbles. A highball glass also works if that is what you have.
Can I make a pitcher for a party?
Yes, but do it in two parts. Combine the gin, grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and bitters in a pitcher and chill. When guests arrive, pour the base over ice in each glass, then top each serving with sparkling wine and soda.
Is this drink sweet?
It is lightly sweet, with tart grapefruit and a bitter edge from the bitters. For a drier spritz, use only 1/4 ounce simple syrup or leave it out.
Can I use tonic water instead of club soda?
You can, but tonic water is sweet and bitter, so it will change the balance. If using tonic, skip the simple syrup at first, then taste and adjust.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
1 cocktail
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium8 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate17 g
- 6%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars16 g
- Protein0 g
- 0%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium12 mg
- 1%
- Iron0.2 mg
- 1%
- Potassium115 mg
- 2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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