After spending the day wandering Italy’s cobblestone streets, climbing cathedral towers, and exploring ancient ruins, there was only one thing my husband and I looked forward to each evening of our honeymoon: finding a sidewalk café, ordering an aperitivo, and watching the world go by with a refreshing spritz in hand.
In Italy, the pre-dinner tradition is known as aperitivo—a time to relax with a light drink and small snacks before dinner. Aperitivo drinks are typically low in alcohol (ABV) and often feature pleasantly bitter or herbal flavors that are traditionally believed to stimulate the appetite.
Italian cafes typically have an entire menu dedicated to the aperitivo, each drink more delicious than the next. After a long day exploring in the Italian sun, nothing tasted better than an ice-cold spritz with its crisp, bubbly finish.
If you are planning a trip to Italy, here are 5 of the best spritzes in Italy I recommend for you to try.
- Hugo Spritz
I actually had tried a hugo spritz prior to my honeymoon on a separate trip visiting Poland with my best friend, but it left such a memorable mark on my tastebuds I knew that I wanted to keep an eye out to try it again in Italy, and it did not disappoint.
A Hugo spritz is a refreshing cocktail which features elderflower liqueur or syrup, Prosecco and soda water. The cocktail is served with ice and is usually garnished with fruit, fresh mint and a lime wedge. The mint and lime adds such a crisp brightness that is truly delicious to sip on during a warm day.
- Aperol Spritz
Aperol Spritz is one of the more recognizable spritzes and traditional Italian aperitivos on the market with its bright orange color and served in a long-stemmed glass. Although it is an extremely common spritz, it’s common for a reason…it’s delicious!
The Aperol spritz has a bittersweet flavor with citrusy notes. Made with Aperol – an Italian aperitivo made from ingredients like rhubarb and oranges – Prosecco and soda water served over ice. This drink is zesty and herbaceous, and is the perfect trick for being transported into a true Italian experience.
- Limoncello Spritz
I first tried Limoncello while traveling with friends across Italy’s breathtaking Amalfi coast. The gorgeous blue water, breezy sunny days and access to lemons the size of my hand created the perfect combination to enjoy this fresh, tangy drink. But what elevates Limoncello to the next level? In this writer’s opinion, it’s transforming it into a spritz.
A limoncello spritz includes limoncello, Prosecco and soda water and is traditionally garnished with lemon slices and mint. It’s a bright, sweet, tangy, lemony flavor and the Prosecco offers a bubbly sensation that makes drinking this perfect summer beverage an absolute dream.
- Sarti Spritz
I had not heard of a Sarti spritz prior to my honeymoon, but after the first sip I became obsessed with the flavor. At the risk of sounding like I overdid it, I dragged my husband each night to the same bar that made the best Sarti spritz for three nights in a row. It was what I craved each night, plus it was our honeymoon. We are supposed to treat ourselves, right?
So what was it that made this drink so wonderful? Well first it’s extremely vibrant with a beautiful pink color that just screams summer. The Sarti spritz is made with Sarti Rosa Liqueur which is a blend of Sicilian blood orange, mango and passion fruit, Prosecco and club soda. I found this drink to be more sweet than bitter which made drinking it simple, refreshing and the perfect treat to begin the evening.
- Midori Spritz
Finally, if you are exploring Europe and see someone drinking a neon green cocktail from a spritz glass, you can be safe to assume it’s likely a Midori spritz. A Midori spritz shares the brightness in color to its cousin, the Aperol spritz, but has a different flavor profile entirely.
Known to be a bit more sweet than bitter, the Midori spritz is the combination of honeydew and melon from the Midori liqueur, Prosecco and sparkling water and garnished with melon or mint. If you love melon, then you are going to love this drink. Vibrant, fruity and fabulous.
When on vacation the goal is to enjoy ourselves and try new experiences. Some of my favorite memories from our honeymoon was sitting outside in the neighborhood cafe as the evening came alive, a chilled spritz in hand, and sharing stories from the day with my husband. So, don’t just order the first drink on the menu. Try something new, embrace Italian traditions and savor the taste of a spritz.
Take a seat, take a sip and enjoy. Saluti!
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