Red Wine Spritz

You've heard of a white wine spritzer, but what about a red wine version? It's the ideal summer drink option if you're usually a red wine drinker, and it's sort of like an easy one-glass, Italian-inspired Sangria.

The combination of red wine and fizzy water might seem weird at first, but trust us, it's SO refreshing and makes a great barbecue drink, or unique aperitif for a summery pasta feast. We've used a splash of vermouth in ours to give it proper cocktail vibes, but you could easily leave it out if you fancy a lighter drink.

What's in a Red Wine Spritz?

You'll usually find red wine (shocker) and soda water in a Red Wine Sprits, along with plenty of ice and garnishes like orange, lemon or fresh herbs. Sometimes other things like vermouth are added, but they aren't essential. If you're after a fizzy red drink but can't be bothered to whip up a cocktail, try a bottle of sparkling red wine Lambrusco instead.

What wine is best for a Red Wine Spritz?

When you're making your Red Wine Spritz, you want to choose a wine that's not too high in body with plenty of natural acidity and a touch of fruitiness. A Gamay, Sangiovese, Grenache or Pinot Noir would work well. Try to stay away from heavier wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot for this one. Basically, anything you'd drink with a big old steak won't work here.

Which sparkling water is best for a Red Wine Spritz?

Generally speaking, you want a neutral flavoured water for a Red Wine Spritz. We recommend using just plain old soda water, but you could use tonic if that's what you have. You'll just end up with a sweeter drink. Stay away from flavoured waters, as this'll only make the wine taste weird. Trust us.

What are some other spritz recipes?

You can make a wine spritz with white wine, as well as the classic spritzes like Aperol, Limoncello and even a Hugo Spritz.