Italian? Austrian? A debate as lively on the terrace as that of the origin of cider (Breton or Norman) to which we will provide an answer today: where does the Spritz come from?

A true classic on sunny terraces, the Spritz, an alcoholic cocktail with notes of bitter orange, has a very rich history! So much so that when asked about its origin, the answer is… a bit of both!

A cocktail born from the Austrian occupation of Venice

Yes, the Spritz is both Austrian and Italian. The word "Spritz" is derived from a German expression, the official language of Austria, meaning "to sprinkle." In the 19th century, Venice was occupied by Austrian soldiers: this is where the secret of the cocktail's dual nationality lies! The Spritz was therefore invented by Austrians on Italian soil! The wine of the time didn't suit the palates of the soldiers, who doubted its quality. So they developed the habit of "sprinkling" the Italian wine with sparkling water to soften it. The Spritz was born, its recipe still quite rudimentary.

The evolution of the Spritz: from sparkling wine to Aperol

Originally, the Spritz was simply wine diluted with sparkling water. However, the recipe we know today is not the same. In 1920, Aperol entered the picture. This aperitif is made with gentian, rhubarb, and bitter oranges, giving it a slightly bitter, subtly sweet, and very popular taste. Restaurants gradually replaced wine with this liqueur, diluted in sparkling water.

Later, the Italians incorporated a Venetian ingredient into the Spritz recipe: prosecco, the famous sparkling wine. This cocktail recipe thus evolved to resemble what we know today: Aperol, prosecco, and a splash of soda water. A more bitter version also exists: simply replace the Italian bitters with Campari.

A massive advertising campaign by Aperol (acquired by Campari) cemented the popularity of this cocktail, which has now become a cult classic. Similarly, Prosecco is now the world's best-selling sparkling wine.

A recipe that has become a cult classic worldwide

Finally, here is the recipe to follow to make a delicious Spritz!

Ingredients :

• Aperol (or Campari for a more bitter version)
• Prosecco
• Sparkling water
• Bitter orange

In a Spritz glass filled three-quarters full with ice cubes:

• Pour 3 cl of prosecco
• Pour 2 cl of Aperol (or Campari)
• Add a splash of sparkling water
• Garnish with a slice of bitter orange

The word “Spritz” reinvented: an aperitif without limits

The term "spritz" is now used to refer to any aperitif served in a tall glass with ice cubes, regardless of whether it contains alcohol or not. It has become a way of talking about a style of aperitif drink.

And don't forget! The perfect non-alcoholic alternative to a Spritz is OSCO! Find the recipe for this non-alcoholic cocktail here: the Red Spritz