The spritz cocktail, with its effervescent charm and refreshing zing, has firmly nested itself in the international happy hour scene. Originating from Italy in the 1950s, the Aperol Spritz was the defining ambassador of this cocktail family that eventually took the U.S. by storm in the mid-2000s.

The beauty of the spritz lies in its modular nature, allowing bartenders to innovate and customize the mixture. Core components are a bittersweet liqueur or aperitif, sparkling wine, and soda water, with countless variations on the theme.

There is the classic Aperol Spritz - a staple of Italy’s apertivo hour, featuring bittersweet Aperol, prosecco, and soda water. From there, we have the Limoncello Spritz with its enticing fresh lemon zing, as well as the innovative Beer Spritz, created by combining a crisp light lager with a bitter aperitif, forming a simple, yet immensely enjoyable concoction.

One spritz that has embraced the power of social media is the Elderflower Spritz, popularized on TikTok in 2023 and featuring a delightful blend of elderflower liqueur, prosecco, seltzer, and mint. Meanwhile, the unlikely marriage of a Dirty Martini and a spritz created a savory cocktail powerhouse, blending gin, dry vermouth, olive brine, orange bitters, and a healthy splash of club soda.

There is also a tribute to Milan - the Campari Spritz comprised of prosecco, sparkling water, and the iconic red bitter liqueur, Campari. This cocktail is savored alongside traditional aperitivo delicacies at the illustrious Camparino bar in Milan’s Galleria.

For the chillier months, consider the Pear Spritz starring pear vodka, falernum liqueur, Peychaud’s bitters, sparkling wine, and club soda. This spritz, designed by spirits writer M. Carrie Allan, offers a flavorful transition from fall to winter.

And let’s not forget the tropical, fruit-forward Sparkling Passion Spritz, a masterpiece combining Cynar amaro, passion fruit syrup, fresh lemon juice, and sparkling wine. Designed by veteran bartenders Sam Ross and Michael McIlroy, this complex spritz marries robust, tropical flavors with a bittersweet edge.

What makes a spritz cocktail a spritz? The answer is quite delightful in its simplicity - as long as it’s effervescent, refreshing, has a lower alcohol content and paves way for appetite, you’ve got yourself a spritz! So mix, swap, and play until your spritz creation is uniquely yours.