Spritz & sunset in Ostuni
If you’ve ever spend time during the summer in Italy, you’ve probably come across the aperol spritz. This spritz cocktail is widely to believed to have been created during the 19th century Austrians occupation of Italy. Now it’s become the Italian answer to the UK’s Pimms cup: a drink that is synonymous with summer. It’s bright orange color just feels like summer and the bitters take the sweetness out of the Prosecco, making it a popular cocktail of choice for both men and women.
Spritz o’Clock at Relais La Sommità
Made with Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine) and aperol (an orange bitter liquer that taste very much like Campari- the company who produces it) the drink is served over rocks in a wine glass and seems to be only drink that Europeans serve with a generous amount of ice cubes. Sometimes it’s served with a straw since the bitters tend to settle at the bottom of the glass.
You can mix up your own batch of La Dolce Vita using this Aperol Spritz Cocktail recipe:
3 parts Prosecco
2 parts Aperol
1 splash of soda or seltzer
garnish with orange slices
serve over ice cubes in a wine glass
In Rome, this spritz set me back €16
If you can’t find Aperol bitters, you can substitute Campari instead. They are quite similar.
In the town of Ostuni in Puglia, a spritz cost €8
Recipe for a Campari Spritz:
3 parts Prosecco
2 parts Campari
1 part soda
garnish with orange slices & serve over ice
The spritz is served all day in Italy and it’s light and refreshing and perfect for a summer evening. If you’re not going to Italy this summer, whip up a batch for a cocktail staycation.
Cin cin from Roma!