“While they may get a bad rap as a cocktail of a bygone era, I actually have a soft spot in my heart for white wine spritzers,” says Christopher Hoel, the founder of Harper’s Club and wine curator for Wine Insiders and Martha Stewart Wine Co. “They’re fun, light, easy to tailor to your taste, and you can pre-make them in big batches before pre-portioning them out for friends and family.” Here are Hoel’s top tips for making wine spritzers, plus three delicious recipes you’ll want to sip ASAP.
Citrus juice: Squeeze a lemon or a lime for a zesty, bold finish. Sweeteners: Add simple syrup, honey, agave, or maple syrup to sweeten up a drier wine (like sauvignon blanc). If you’re using a sweet wine like moscato, you won’t need the extra sweetness. Liqueurs: A splash of elderflower liqueur (like St. Germain), a dash of Angostura bitters, or a splash of Campari will add new dimensions to your cocktail.Liquor: If you want your spritzer to pack more punch, add a splash of a clear liquor like good quality gin, vodka, or white rum.
6 ounces pinot grigio 1/2 ounce elderflower liqueur 2 ounces club soda Fresh citrus, such as lemons or oranges
4 ounces moscato 1 tablespoon agave nectar 2 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (depending on desired level of sweetness) Slice of lemon or lemon peel for garnish Club soda
3 ounces rosé wine 2 ounces sparkling water ½ ounce fresh lemon juice ½ ounce simple syrup ½ ounce Campari or Aperol Wedges of grapefruit, lemons and strawberries
