Vita Gazette

News from Italy

Spritz is Happiness…

by Assunta

While sipping my Spritz against the Rialto Bridge, where you can see one of the most beautiful orange sunsets in the world, I remember Frank Sinatra’s phrase, “Orange is the happiest colour”, whose songs and voice make me want to fall in love… This sparkling orange cocktail that justifies Sinatra, It has been the favorite drink of Italians for years. Especially as a sweetener in the most pleasant moments of the day…

Derived from the German verb “Spritzen,” which means to reject, Spritz dates back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In 1800, the Austro-Hungarian Empire controlled parts of the Veneto region of northern Italy. The soldiers who came to town were accustomed to drinking low-alcohol beer. That’s why the wines of the Veneto were too harsh for them. They started adding carbonated water (sparkling water) to their drinks to reduce the alcohol content of wines and capture the taste of beer… Thus, they laid the foundation of Spritz, which will become Italy’s brand…

Spritz’s starting point was wine, but it has evolved gradually. Over time, different recipes emerged in other regions. Initially, soda was used instead of sparkling carbonated water. Later, it diversified with wines, champagne, and spirits. The tradition of adding Campari, Select and Aperol to wine or prosecco dates back to the 1920s.

90% of those who go to eat aperitif in Italy want “Spritz”. But just saying “Spritz” doesn’t make any sense. Do you drink it with wine or Prosecco, a lightly sweetened Italian champagne with a small aperitif? Which liqueur will you prefer? Would you prefer fragrant orange Aperol? Or do you choose the more bitter-tasting Campari or Select? Since wine was the main ingredient initially, Spritz with white wine is also often served in Venice today. However, it is widespread to use Prosecco instead of wine. It can be included as wine in some menus. But do not be mistaken. This is optional use. There is only one requirement for all varieties: The glass must be filled with ice before pouring anything. And Spritz is served in either short and straight glasses or goblets. The final touch is the orange slices…

Spritz Select

Select was born in 1920 on Murano, an island in the lagoon. Legend has it that this is the natural “Venetian spritz”.

1/3 wine or prosecco

1/3 Select

1/3 soda

Campari Spritz

Its bright red colour, the Campari spritz, is the indispensable drink of conversation on many summer evenings.

1/3 white wine (or prosecco)

1/3 Campari

1/3 soda

And to garnish with orange pie.

Aperol Spritz

The other excellent evening classic, L’Aperol, gives the Spritz a more orange hue. Conversation remains the cornerstone of cheerful evenings of laughter and jokes.

1/3 white wine (or prosecco)

1/3 Aperol

1/3 soda

We constantly add ice and orange slices to the glass first, then our other choices…

Of course, Spritz varieties are not limited to these. It is possible to see varieties such as artichokes named Cynar and plums called Hugo. When we look at the development of Spritz, it seems that new versions will continue.

 

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