Uncovering the Origins and Evolution of Italy's Beloved Spritz Cocktail

The origins are unknown , however, between the Venetian population is said that a not inconsiderable part in the spread of the Spritz have had the soldiers of the Austrian Empire stationed in what was once the Republic of Venice, which, to dilute the high alcohol content of wines from Veneto, they would be stretched with sparkling water; hence the origin of the name to derive from the verb spritzen Austrian German , which means "spray", the gesture just to stretch your wine with sparkling water.

In subsequent years , the costume would spread to other cities, with the gradual introduction of variants , such as touch of color, providing for the addition of a bitter red, such as Aperol, Campari and Select (almost exclusively in the city of Venice) or a bitter black as the Cynar .

Over the years, the beverage has rapidly spread to other cities of the Veneto, Friuli -Venezia Giulia, Trentino  and throughout north-central Italy.

In its original form, obtained by simple mixing of white wine and sparkling water, is still commonly consumed all over the north east of Italy. Over the years there have been several changes to make it a real drink consumed in Italy. In more recent times to the original form, bitters (such as Aperol, Campari or Select) .

A common denominator between the existing variants , however, is the presence of sparkling and carbonated water or soda , which quantitatively must be at least 40% and 30% ; the remaining 30 % is completed by the most varied types of alcoholic drinks, sometimes mixed with the unwritten rule to preserve the red color of the cocktail.

In the north East of Italy  spritz is now prepared by mixing the base of Prosecco (or white wine) Campari and soda , Aperol ( in prevalence ) or Cynar or Select ( or other variants ) and adding a slice of lemon, orange or an olive and a few ice cubes .

The Venetian recipe is as follows: 

• Third of white wine,

• 1/3 of bitters

• Third of sparkling water

The official recipe IBA provides : 

• 6 cl Prosecco

• 4 cl Aperol

• A splash of soda / seltzer

  Preparation:

• Pour into an old-fashioned glass ( tumbler ) containing ice, Prosecco, Aperol , and finally the soda, stir. Garnish with half a slice of orange. 

By:  Gianmatteo  ZAMPIERI

General Manager BAGLIONI HOTEL LUNA