A winter spritz built like an Aperol spritz, with Krampus Herbal Liqueur, prosecco and soda. Light, bubbly and made for holiday parties.
The spritz is the aperitivo hour drink: bitter liqueur, prosecco and a splash of soda over plenty of ice. The Aperol spritz is the most famous version, and it's one of the most popular cocktails in the world.
This winter spritz uses Krampus Herbal Liqueur, with orange and rosemary, for a cold-weather version that suits a holiday party.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Krampus Herbal Liqueur
- 3 oz chilled prosecco
- 1 oz club soda
- Orange slice and rosemary sprig
Directions
- Fill a large wine glass with ice.
- Add the Krampus, then the prosecco, then the soda.
- Stir once gently and garnish.
Glass: Wine glass · Garnish: Orange slice, rosemary
Tip
It follows the classic 3-2-1 spritz ratio: 3 parts sparkling wine, 2 parts liqueur, 1 part soda. Build it in the glass. Shaking or hard stirring flattens it.
Variations
For a bitter spritz, use 1 oz Krampus and 1 oz Aperol. For a cranberry spritz, add 1 oz cranberry juice and garnish with sugared cranberries.
A Brief History of the Spritz
The spritz began in the 1800s in the Veneto region of northern Italy, then under Austrian rule. Austrian soldiers found the local wine too strong and asked for a splash of water, spritzen in German.
Bitter liqueurs and sparkling wine came later. Aperol, created in Padua in 1919, made the orange spritz famous after World War II, and the drink exploded worldwide in the 2010s.
Why Make It With Krampus
Aperol is orange and bitter and tastes like summer. Krampus brings raw honey, roasted hazelnut and warming spice, so the same light, bubbly spritz tastes like winter instead. It's less bitter than Aperol, which makes it an easy crowd-pleaser, and the rosemary and orange tie it to the season.
FAQ
What is the classic spritz ratio?
3-2-1: three parts sparkling wine, two parts liqueur, one part soda water, built over ice in a large glass.
Can I make a spritz for a crowd?
Build each one in the glass. Pre-mixing in a pitcher makes the prosecco go flat quickly.
What is the best prosecco for a spritz?
A dry (brut) prosecco keeps the drink from getting too sweet, since the Krampus already adds honey.