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This article is a part of Wine Week\u2014seven days celebrating all things wine\u2014presented in partnership by our friends at Bread & Butter Wines<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n A wine spritzer is a state of mind: a cool breeze on a summer\u2019s day; the sun gently warming your beach chair; a beautiful sunset on an evening hike. That is to say, much like making summer memories, spritzers look a little different for each imbiber. On top of being easy to drink (thanks to the low ABV), they\u2019re also easily customizable. So we\u2019ve created an easy guide to creating the perfect wine spritzer to suit your every summer sipping need.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll be using a ratio of 1 part wine, 1 part flavorings, and 2 parts bubbles<\/strong>, but feel free to play around with these ratios\u2014there is no hard-and-fast rule, and some flavorings would be overpowering in equal parts to the wine (like bitters or aperitifs).<\/p>\n To get started building your spritzer, you\u2019ll need to choose the wine you want, which will help inform your other choices, like what kinds of flavorings and garnishes you\u2019ll use. Below are four, summer-friendly types of wine that work well chilled (a spritz should always be on ice) and have refreshing flavors to build on.<\/p>\n The crisp notes of pinot grigio are an ideal complement to a spritzer with a lot of flavors. Pick a wine in this vein if you\u2019re looking to experiment with your additions, or want to lean on fresh herbs to elevate your beverage.<\/p>\n For a summer evening, a buttery chardonnay creates a luxe, yet light mouthfeel that will pair nicely with a bright citrus juice or aromatic bitters\u2014something that cuts through the richness.<\/p>\n The summer wine of choice for many, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll have a bottle of ros\u00e9 stocked in your fridge, which makes it an easy choice. Using a ros\u00e9 for your spritzer will bring loads of gorgeous color and also a touch of sweetness.<\/p>\n Medium-bodied and typically quite dry, most sauvignon blancs shine when chilled, which make them an ideal wine for a spritzer. Less sweet than some of the other wines, this base is perfect for someone who enjoys a dryer beverage.<\/p>\n From floral and fruity to fresh and juicy, there are loads of options to choose from for your flavoring component, whether pre-bottled or homemade.<\/p>\n To give your spritzer an extra hint of sweetness, a little teaspoon of simple syrup<\/a> will go a long way. Bonus points if you flavor it<\/a>.<\/p>\n Lean into summer favorites here, like grapefruit, strawberry, or even watermelon. Or, keep it classic with zesty lemon\u2014a juice that will meld well with pretty much any wine.<\/p>\n For more of an Aperol spritz vibe, a few dashes of bitters or a tablespoon or two of an aperitif (like a dry vermouth or Campari) will help marry the pairing of your wine base and the finishing bubbles. I suggest using an all-purpose aromatic bitter, like Angostura, but for something more specific, try a single-note bitter (think: orange or grapefruit) and then pair your finishing garnishes to match.<\/p>\n A spritzer wouldn\u2019t spritzer without sparkling bubbles gently kissing your nose upon each sip. To finish, top with chilled tonic water or seltzer for carbonated levity. If you\u2019re batching for a crowd, have the wine and mixers ready to go, and finish each guest\u2019s drink with fresh, cold bubbles just before serving. If you so choose, this is a lovely opportunity to imbue one more layer of flavor with a citrusy or fruity seltzer.<\/p>\n A garnish ties your whole beverage together. Traditionally, garnishes are used to denote flavor profiles of whatever is being consumed, but here they can be used to complement, decorate, or just add a little snack-in-the-glass moment. Half moons of fresh citrus, some seasonal berries, fresh stalks of herbs (thyme and rosemary are examples of hearty herbs that won\u2019t wilt from the moisture or heat), or even a few briny olives are all great options to make your spritzer extra festive. Don\u2019t be afraid to mix and match these\u2014like using both thyme and lemon slices in a chardonnay-based spritzer, or orange and green olives in a pinot grigio spritzer.<\/p>\n
\n1. Choose a wine base<\/h2>\n
Pinot Grigio<\/h4>\n
Chardonnay<\/h4>\n
Ros\u00e9<\/h4>\n
Sauvignon Blanc<\/h4>\n
2. Pick your flavoring or aperitif<\/h2>\n
Simple Syrups<\/h4>\n
Freshly Squeezed Juices<\/h4>\n
Aperitifs & Bitters<\/h4>\n
3. Add some bubbles<\/h2>\n
4. Don\u2019t forget to garnish<\/h2>\n
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\nWhat\u2019s your favorite wine spritzer combination? Tell us in the comments!<\/em>
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