This Lambrusco Spritz is bold and citrusy, with the perfect balance of bitter and bubbly. The sweet-salted orange rim, briny olives, and drizzle of olive oil add layers of punchy, savory flavor that’s deliciously unexpected.
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About This Recipe
If you love a good spritz but want something a bit more complex than your usual summer aperitif, this Lambrusco Spritz is it!
Sparkling red Lambrusco brings a fruity richness that balances beautifully with the citrus and bitters from Campari. A salted orange-sugar rim and a drizzle of olive oil take it over the top, adding a savory, aromatic finish. It’s the perfect cocktail to kick off a fall dinner party or even Thanksgiving.
📋 Ingredients
- Lambrusco: A lightly sparkling red wine from Italy that’s fruity and slightly dry. Look for one labeled secco (dry) for the best balance.
- Campari: A bright red Italian aperitif with notes of orange and herbs. It’s bitter-sweet and a great option if you're looking for a less sweet liqueur.
- Fresh Orange Juice: It adds a hint of natural sweetness and compliments the Campari very well. For a more bitter flavor, substitute with grapefruit juice.
- Sparkling Water: Just a splash to top it off.
- Salt–Sugar Rim: A mix of Kosher salt, sugar, and finely grated orange zest rubbed together until fragrant.
- Garnish: Good-quality extra-virgin olive oil (for drizzling), green olives on a skewer, and an orange slice.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
📍 Recipe Tips
- Chill your glass: Before serving, place your glass in the freezer for a few minutes to chill.
- Serve right away: Since it’s sparkling, this spritz is best made just before serving.
- Different Citrus: Try using blood orange or grapefruit for a slightly more bitter flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Lambrusco Spritz as a cocktail for a fall or holiday dinner.
It pairs beautifully with Mediterranean-inspired dishes like my Spanish Chicken Stew with Olives or Fig and Prosciutto Pizza. It’s also a fun choice for a cocktail hour before Thanksgiving dinner!
More Drink Recipes to Try
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Lambrusco Spritz
LittleFerraroKitchen.com
Ingredients
Sugar Salt Rim
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon orange zest
Cocktail
- ½ ounce fresh orange juice
- 1½ ounces Campari
- 3 ounces Lambrusco sparkling red wine
- Splash of sparkling water
- Extra-virgin olive oil for garnish
- Green olives and orange slice for garnish
Instructions
- On a small plate, combine the sugar, salt, and orange zest. Use your fingers to rub the zest into the sugar and salt until it’s evenly mixed and fragrant.
- Run an orange wedge around the rim of your glass, then dip it into the salt-sugar mixture to coat.
- Fill the glass with ice. Add the orange juice, Campari and Lambrusco, then top with a splash of sparkling water.
- Drizzle a few drops of olive oil on top, then garnish with olives on a skewer and an orange slice. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Chill your glass: Before serving, place your glass in the freezer for a few minutes to chill.
- Serve right away: Since it’s sparkling, this spritz is best made just before serving.
- Different Citrus: Try using blood orange or grapefruit for a slightly more bitter flavor.
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