Can We Bring Back the Wine Spritzer?
When it is crazy, crazy hot outside, I get specific about what kind of delicious beverage I want. In the morning: Iced coffee, preferably cold-press, or a triple iced Americano. In the afternoon: iced tea or Diet Dr. Pepper. And at night? I really love a wine spritzer.
Now, I’m not talking about wine coolers, those pink bottled drinks from the ’80s that moms liked to drink in the backyard when their best friend came over on summer afternoons. This “cooler” is simply a beautiful rosé or white wine mixed with seltzer and served with a sliver of lime or lemon. Gussy it up with melon balls, berries, or an herb sprig, and you’ve distanced them from their early reputation as a dieter’s alcoholic beverage of choice. They’re just a nice, elegant way to cool off on the kind of hot day where condensation starts forming on the outside of your glass nearly as soon as you pour it. All without getting too tipsy, too fast.
It’s the kind of drink that––forgive me for the leap––makes me think of Cybill Shepherd in her Moonlighting-heyday. Cool, in control, glamorous in an easy, brushed-out hot roller curls kind of way, and unapologetically feminine. Cheers to that.
I feel a little silly writing out a recipe for this, but sometimes you just someone to walk you through it. This one’s for you, then.
Wine Spritzer
Serves 1
4 ounces rosé or white wine
3-4 ounces club soda or seltzer
2-3 ice cubes
lemon or lime slice to garnish
Place ice in a large wine glass. Pour in wine and top with seltzer. Float garnish on top. Bottom’s up!
Anna: I like to add a dash of infused simple syrup into mine. Recently I made a fresh rosemary simple syrup and added it to a sparkling rose champagne over ice. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig. Fabulous!49 weeks ago
jiji: I love wine spritzers! My favorite pairing is gruner with seltzer.
Ooh I’ll have to try w/the rosemary sprig next time. Thanks for the tip, Anna!49 weeks ago
Carrie: I brought back wine spritzers last year! Perfect for the pool or beach
A friend of mine likes them with Fresca.. I prefer the traditional seltzer. Rosemary simple syrup sounds great!49 weeks ago
Cadi: Yay wine spritzers! I love Anna’s idea of rosemary simple syrup as an addition. It’s definitely time that these get dragged back out into the sunlight, they’re one of my favorites!49 weeks ago
Laura: I love wine spritzers! Had two at a bar with a friend tonight.
In Switzerland it’s a fairly common drink to order. They just ask if you’d like it sweet (with sprite/7up/etc.) or sour (with seltzer). I prefer it sweet because the white wine is most often very dry.
Apparently some people like theirs mixed with tonic water. Never tried that variation…49 weeks ago
Infused simple syrup is a genius idea! I see one made of lavender in my future. Can you imagine: a lavender wine spritzer? Heaven.49 weeks ago
Melissa: My aunt adds a bit of Campari to hers to make “schpritzer macchiatos.” Perfect for my mix of Austrian and Italian heritage!49 weeks ago
Allison: Hey Miss Smarty Pants! – I still like wine coolers! Xoxox49 weeks ago
Kanesha: Yay! This is great and we shall make wine spritzers while camping.49 weeks ago
Sam at Broke and Chic: I love a wine spritzer. I make a kir spritzer — white wine, a tablespoon of cassis liquer and then seltzer. It looks and tastes so good!49 weeks ago
Lizzy: Wine spritzer on steroids: Triple eight blueberry vodka, chardonnay, sparkling water, handful of frozen blueberries and a bit of ice. Incredible (and strong)!49 weeks ago
Kanesha: Lizzy, do you muddle the berries?49 weeks ago
Rebecca: Yum.. very nice for people like me that can’t hold their alcohol… and don’t want to drink lots of super-sweet drinks.47 weeks ago