It’s the heart of summer, hot as hell, and everyone is feeling spritzy! Spritzes are a great choice in the summer, because they are easy to make, lower-alcohol (most ingredients are less than 20% alcohol-by-volume) and they super tasty and refreshing.

We all know the Aperol Spritz (2 ounces Aperol, 3 ounces Prosecco, 1 ounce sparkling water and an orange slice), People have been guzzling those since the 1950s. I personally adore a Campari Spritz (replace the Aperol with Campari). And while in Malta recently, I tried the Maltese Spritz made with Bajtra, their local liqueur made from prickly pear flowers (it was pink!). There are endless options.

Spritzes were born as a Venetian aperitif waaaaay back in the early 1800s, when Austrian soldiers found the local wine too strong and started adding water. Spritzes have since morphed into nearly any liqueur mixed with something fizzy, like Prosecco, soda pop, tonic water or sparkling water. They are always served on ice, and often festooned with citrus slices or fresh herbs.

I have to give a shout-out here to Zonin Proseccos, which – amazingly – were new to me. The Zonins own Italy’s largest family-owned wine company, going back 200 years. Borne out of the Veneto region, they know Prosecco. I samples their Extra Dry Prosecco, Rosé Prosecco (made with a bit of Pinot Noir wine to add a rosy hue) and their Limoneto Spritz which is a DELIGHT! The Limoneto is Prosecco blended with Sicilian lemon juice and it is fun, fun, fun!

Let’s get our spritz on! Here are four easy recipes.

Porto Tonico

I adore a Porto Tonico. I discovered this drink on my first trip to Portugal in 2021 and you can consider me a Porto Tonico ambassador. I make them for everyone all the time because they are easy, super refreshing and everyone loves them.

Lots of people are surprised to learn that white port is even a thing. White port wine is made with – you guessed it – white grapes. While traditional red port is made with red grapes such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz (aka Tempranillo, as they call it in Spain), white port is made with grapes like Viosinho, Gouveio, Malvasia Fino and Rabigato. Like red port, it is fortified with a neutral grape spirits (like brandy). And it’s delicious.

How to Make It

Fill a balloon glass – or really any wine glass – with ice.

Add 2 ounces White Port (I like Fonseca Sirocco Extra Dry White Port) and 4 ounces tonic water.

Garnish with a lime wedge or orange slice and a few mint leaves.

That’s it! It’s so easy and so delicious.

Campo Spritz

When I received a bottle of Campo Viejo Tempranillo with spritz recipes, I was skeptical. But after I made them, I turned that frown upside down and said “Olé!” These two red wine spritzes have Spanish flair and are a great way to enjoy Tempranillo in the summer. Sure, there’s Sangria – but sometimes Sangria drinks a little sweet to me. These drinks both contain soda pop – but it doesn’t wreck the integrity of the wine. It just makes it more delightful. Trust me (I was skeptical and I like both of these). Would these work with diet soda? I don’t know, but if you try that, let me know how it turns out.

How to Make It

Fill a stemless wine glass or tumbler with ice

Add 4 ounces Campo Viejo Tempranillo and 4 ounces of lemon-lime soda

Garnish with a lemon or orange slice

The lemon-lime soda does not make the drink sweet. Instead, if lifts up the wine with a citrusy, sunshiny burst. I liked it a lot.

Campo Mocho

I’d heard of how Spaniards drink red wine and Coke and I’ve always been like, “What the what? Why?” And now I know why: it’s because it’s hot as fuck in Spain in the summer and this is a way to enjoy Spain’s signature red wine (Tempranillo) in the heat. Like the Campo Spritz, this drink isn’t pop-flavored. Rather, the Coke just adds fizz and complements the wine. Try it – you might like it, like me!

How to Make It

Fill a rocks glass with ice

Add 4 ounces Campo Viejo Tempranillo and 4 ounces of cola

Garnish with a lemon or lime slice.

Tre Italiano Spritz

I’ve been on a vermouth kick lately, and created this spritz after attending a vermouth tasting recently with a local importer of Yzaguirre vermouth, the number-one brand in Spain.

The Yzaguirre vermouth is bone dry, the Rinomato Americano Bianco is almost like a white Campari – gushing with fresh herbs and botanicals – and the Zonin Limoneto Prosecco bring a touch of citrusy sweetness that perfectly balances the drink.

How to Make It

Fill a wine glass with ice

Add 2 ounces of Yzaguirre Reserva dry white vermouth, 2 ounce of Rinomato Americano Bianco and 3 ounces of Zonin Limoneto Prosecco. Stir it about and garnish with a lemon slice.

What are you waiting for? Get your spritz on this summer! Cheers!