Winter Spritz
This cold-weather spritz keeps the easy sparkle of the classic aperitivo drink, then adds cranberry, orange, and a rosemary garnish for a festive winter twist. It is bright, lightly bitter, and simple enough to build in
- Total time
- 5 min
- Yield
- 1 cocktail
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 5mCook 0mItalian-inspiredDrinks
A winter spritz is the drink to make when you want something bubbly and seasonal without pulling out a cocktail shaker. It has the familiar bittersweet base of an Italian spritz, with cranberry juice and orange to make it feel right for cold evenings and holiday snacks.
The method is simple: build the drink right in the glass. That means you pour each ingredient over ice, add the sparkling wine and soda last, then stir gently so you do not knock out the bubbles.
Use a dry Prosecco or another dry sparkling wine here. A sweeter bottle can make the drink taste heavy, especially with the aperitif and juice.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
9 items · 1 cocktail
- 1 cup ice, or enough to fill a large wine glass
- 2 ounces Aperol or another orange bittersweet aperitif
- 1 ounce unsweetened cranberry juice
- 1/2 ounce fresh orange juice
- 3 ounces chilled dry Prosecco
- 1 ounce chilled club soda or seltzer
- 1 orange slice, for garnish
- 6 fresh cranberries, for garnish
- 1 small rosemary sprig, for garnish
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the glass
Set a large wine glass or spritz glass in the freezer for 5 minutes if you have time. A cold glass helps the ice melt more slowly and keeps the drink crisp.
2. Fill with ice
Add enough ice to fill the glass about three-quarters full. Large cubes are helpful because they melt more slowly than crushed ice.
3. Pour the aperitif
Add the Aperol or other orange bittersweet aperitif over the ice. This gives the drink its bittersweet backbone and warm orange color.
4. Add the juices
Pour in the cranberry juice and fresh orange juice. Fresh orange juice tastes brighter than bottled juice, and you only need a small squeeze.
5. Top with Prosecco
Slowly pour in the chilled Prosecco. Tilt the glass slightly if it foams too much, just as you would when pouring beer.
6. Add the soda
Pour in the club soda or seltzer. This lightens the drink and gives it the classic spritz finish.
7. Stir gently
Use a long spoon to stir once or twice from the bottom of the glass. Do not stir hard, or the drink will lose its fizz.
8. Garnish and serve
Add the orange slice, cranberries, and rosemary sprig. Serve right away while the drink is cold and bubbly.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Mix the aperitif, cranberry juice, and orange juice up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate. Add ice, Prosecco, soda, and garnishes just before serving.
- Batch for a small party: For 6 drinks, combine 12 ounces aperitif, 6 ounces cranberry juice, and 3 ounces orange juice in a pitcher. Chill, then pour 3 1/2 ounces of the mix into each ice-filled glass and top each with 3 ounces Prosecco and 1 ounce soda.
- 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, but expect a flatter drink.
- Swaps: Use pomegranate juice instead of cranberry juice for a deeper, slightly sweeter flavor. Campari works in place of Aperol, but it will make the drink more bitter and stronger tasting.
- No Prosecco: Any dry sparkling wine works. Look for labels that say brut, extra brut, or dry.
- Nonalcoholic option: Use a nonalcoholic Italian-style bitter aperitif and alcohol-free sparkling wine, then keep the same cranberry juice, orange juice, soda, and garnishes.
Cook's note
Nutrition is an estimate per cocktail using standard values for sparkling wine, unsweetened cranberry juice, orange juice, fruit garnish, and typical published values for an orange bittersweet aperitif. Exact numbers will vary by brand, especially for the aperitif and Prosecco.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I make a winter spritz without Aperol?
Yes. Use another orange bittersweet aperitif, such as Select, Cappelletti, or a nonalcoholic aperitif. Campari also works, but it is more bitter, so you may want to use 1 1/2 ounces instead of 2 ounces.
What kind of cranberry juice should I use?
Use unsweetened cranberry juice if you like a tart, grown-up drink. Cranberry juice cocktail is sweeter and will make the spritz taste softer. If using cranberry juice cocktail, you may want to skip the orange juice or add a squeeze of lemon.
Can I make this in a pitcher?
You can make the non-bubbly base in a pitcher, but do not add Prosecco or soda until serving. Sparkling ingredients go flat quickly when stirred or left sitting.
Do I need to burn or slap the rosemary garnish?
No. A fresh rosemary sprig gives off aroma on its own. If you want a stronger scent, gently clap the sprig between your hands before adding it to the glass.
Why does my spritz taste too sweet?
The most common reason is sweet sparkling wine or sweetened cranberry juice. Use dry Prosecco and unsweetened cranberry juice. You can also add an extra splash of soda or a squeeze of lemon to balance it.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
1 cocktail
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium6 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate25 g
- 9%
- Dietary Fiber1 g
- 4%
- Total Sugars23 g
- Protein0 g
- 0%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium15 mg
- 1%
- Iron0.2 mg
- 1%
- Potassium131 mg
- 3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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