As the temperature rises, refreshing beverages become essential for summer gatherings, and there’s a delightful array of spritzes and shandies to choose from. These drinks can easily be tailored to individual preferences, whether you’re in the mood for something citrusy, herbal, sweet, or with a touch of bitterness. Classic spritzes typically follow a simple formula, mixing a ratio of 3:2:1 with sparkling wine, an aperitif or fortified wine, and soda water. Serve them over ice, stir gently, and finish with a garnish for a refreshing touch.
The classic spritz family offers various options, including the Select Spritz with prosecco, Select, and a green olive garnish. Alternatively, the Campari Spritz and Aperol Spritz both feature prosecco and soda water, topped with an orange slice. The Cynar Spritz incorporates Cynar with prosecco, garnished with lemon or grapefruit peel, while the Vermouth Spritz can be made with sweet red or white vermouth and garnished accordingly with either an orange or lemon slice. For those seeking fruitier variations, the Hugo Spritz blends prosecco with elderflower liqueur and optional gin, finished with fresh mint, and the Limoncello Spritz combines limoncello with prosecco, garnished with lemon and fresh mint or thyme.
Moving beyond Italy, spritzes like the Lillet Spritz offer a choice between Lillet Blanc, Rouge, or Rosé, each complemented by a matching citrus garnish. The Kir Spritz mixes crème de cassis with prosecco, adorned with fresh blackcurrants and a thyme sprig. For a unique twist, the Kumquat Spritz combines kumquat or orange liqueur with prosecco, using fresh kumquat or orange slices as garnish. Ginger beer can serve as a substitute for soda water for those who prefer a sweeter variation.
Shandies, known for fusing beer with soft drinks, are another refreshing option. The Classic Lager Shandy combines lager with lemonade, while the Shandygaff uses ginger beer or ale mixed with ale or bitter. A Radler pairs pink grapefruit soda with lager, whereas the Russ mixes lemonade with wheat beer. For a fruity twist, the Fruit Shandy can be made using various fruit sodas like raspberry, rose lemonade, or blood-orange soda with pale ale. The Cola Shandy brings together cola and lager, and the Portergaff mixes lemonade or ginger beer with porter or stout.
For optimal enjoyment, it’s advisable to chill all ingredients and glasses before serving these drinks. Construct spritzes directly over ice and stir gently to maintain their effervescence, while shandies should be poured slowly to minimize foam. These versatile recipes are easy to customize with different fruits, herbs, and sodas, making them ideal for laid-back summer gatherings.