These easy summer spritzer made with white wine and club soda is the easiest summer drink but also one of the most refreshing.
This is one of those super simple recipes that you will become a mainstay all summer long if you are a white wine fan. Not only does a white wine spritzer stretch the bottle, but it also makes for a bigger drink with fewer calories. And while the recipe itself is really basic, there are so many ways to make this really special. That's where this becomes something unexpected and crave-worthy.
While I encourage you to experiment with different types of white wine and seltzer, I am going to share some of my all time favorite options to help you know where to start.
The first and probably easy way to flavor a wine spritzer is with fruit. During summer months I love using fresh strawberries or raspberries with a twist of lemon peel. I also love using frozen peaches on a hot day. This works great with Sauvignon Blanc. Other favorites include watermelon, canteloupe, honeydew melon. All for these fruits work with most varieties of white wine.
The second is using bitters. If you haven't had bitters before, they are intense flavor enhancers that are used to season drinks and cocktails. They are usually made with botanicals, like herbs, tree bark, roots, and fruits infused in a neutral-flavored alcohol. You only need a couple of drops to add lots of flavor. The most popular bitter is probably Angostura Bitters, which are used in lots of cocktails and famously used in Old Fashioned. However, these days there are tons of bitters on the market in tons of delicious flavors.
Additionally, I almost always toss in some fresh herbs. Not only do they look beautiful, they also add subtle flavor. Consider fresh basil, mint, rosemary, or thyme.
White Wine Spritzer Flavor Ideas
- Fresh and frozen fruit: This is the most popular way to add flavor and beauty to a spritzer. Consider using strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, watermelon, cantaloupe, or blackberries. In summer months, I love using frozen peaches, watermelon, or cantaloupe to keep the drink cold and add flavor. Frozen berries work, but they will release juice as they defrost and change the color of the drink.
- Citrus: Use a large peeler to remove strips of lemon, lime, or orange to add to the spritzer. You can squeeze in some juice as well.
- Flavored seltzer: Consider using a flavored seltzer to add another flavor dimension. Just note that this will cover the taste of the wine a bit more.
- Fresh herbs: Add fresh sprigs of rosemary or thyme. Additionally, you can add some fresh basil, mint, or cilantro.
- Bitters: Bitters come in all different flavors and a small splash can add tons of flavor to a traditional white wine spritzer.
What kind of wine to use for a spitzer?
When it comes to making a spritzer, you generally want a white wine that is bright, crisp, and fresh. It should be light and for that reason, most people stay away from heavier whites like Chardonnay. You also want don't want something too expensive, since you are cutting it with soda water and potentially adding other flavors. It should taste good but doesn't have to be fancy. Here are some good options:
- Sauvignon Blanc: Light and refreshing with a "green" notes from herbs or bell peppers. From France or New Zealand.
- Pinot Grigio: Light and dry with a fresh clean taste. Refreshing with flavors of lime, lemon, and apple. From Italy.
- Albarino: Light, sometimes slightly sweet, and refreshing. From Spain.
- Dry Reisling: Fruit flavors without the sweetness of a typical Reisling, usually dry Reisling is from Austria and Germany
Can I use rose?
Rose is delicious in a spritzer and will absolutely work in this recipe. Consider adding fresh berries, which pair really well with the flavors in rose. Also, look for a dry rose for the best results.
Can I make these in advance?
If you are serving these for a party or want to make a larger batch, it is best to make it right before serving so that the club soda stays bubbly and the ice doesn't water down the drink. For a pitcher or spritzers, add any fruit or extras you will be using to the pitcher. Then add the ice, white wine, and club soda right before serving.