Select Spritz (Select Venetian Spritz)

Sip on sophistication with this classic Venetian Select Spritz. Made with Select Aperitivo, prosecco, and sparkling water, this cocktail is the perfect blend of Italian elegance. Try this simple recipe for a delightful and refreshing low-ABV cocktail experience with its sweet-tangy, citrus, and slight bitter flavor.

A classic Venetian Select Spritz is the epitome of Italian sophistication. Whether enjoyed as an aperitif on a warm summer evening or as a celebratory toast, Select Spritz is sure to impress. This simple recipe from Select Aperitovo mixes up a delicious Select Spritz and brings a touch of Venice to your next gathering.

ORIGIN

Select Spritz is a classic cocktail that comes from Venice. It’s a drink people usually have before dinner to get their appetite going. Around 1920 locals in Venice started adding a little bit of sparkling water to their wine to make it more refreshing.

The recipe changed over time, and they started adding aperitivo, like Select Aperitivo, to make the drink more flavorful and balanced. Today, people worldwide enjoy Select Spritz for its for its unique flavor and sophisticated style.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS DRINK

You will probably love this Select Spritz recipe for its light-bitter and refreshing taste. Other reasons why this drink is so popular: 

• Firstly, it uses high-quality ingredients, including Select Aperitivo, which adds a unique, herbal flavor to the drink.
• Secondly, the recipe strikes the perfect balance between the bitterness of the aperitivo, the prosecco’s sweetness, and the sparkling water’s crispness. This balance creates a smooth and refreshing taste.
• Lastly, Select Spritz is incredibly versatile and can be served as an aperitif, a celebratory drink, or as an accompaniment to a meal.

INGREDIENTS

The ingredients used in Select Spritz create a balanced, flavorful drink. Here’s a closer look at each ingredient and why it’s used:

Select Aperitivo
This is a type of Italian bitter liqueur that adds a unique, herbal flavor to the drink. It is made from a blend of 30 botanicals and spices, such as juniper berries and rhubarb roots. It is relatively low in alcohol/low-ABV (16% by volume), moderately sweet, and moderately bitter. And according to this source, it is vegan-friendly. 
 
Prosecco
This Italian sparkling wine adds a sweet, effervescent quality to the drink. Prosecco is known for its light and crisp taste, making it an ideal choice for a cocktail like Select Spritz. Most prosecco is vegan-friendly.

Sparkling Water
This ingredient adds a bit of effervescence to the drink and helps balance out the prosecco’s sweetness. It also provides a light and crisp quality to the drink, making it even more refreshing.

HOW TO MAKE SELECT SPRITZ (STEP-BY-STEP WITH PHOTOS)

Here’s a step-by-step tutorial for making a classic Select Spritz:

Step 1. 
Fill a wine glass with ice.

Step 2.
Add 2 oz (60 ml) of Select Aperitivo.

Step 3.
Pour in 3 oz (90 ml) of prosecco.

Step 4.
Add 1 oz (30 ml) of sparkling water.

Step 5.
Gently stir the ingredients.

Step 6.
Garnish with an orange slice or a green olive, if desired. Enjoy!

With these simple steps, you’ll have a delicious Select Spritz in no time. The key is to use high-quality ingredients and adjust the ratios to suit your personal taste preference.

VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

There are several variations and substitutions that can be made to this Select Spritz recipe to create different flavors and styles. Here are some suggestions:

Aperitivo
Other aperitivos such as Campari, Aperol, or Cynar can be used as a substitute. This will result in a slightly different flavor profile but will still provide the same bitterness that is essential to the recipe. 

Prosecco
Other sparkling wines such as Cava, champagne, or Moscato can be used as a substitute. This will result in a slightly different flavor profile but will still provide the same effervescence and sweetness to the drink.

Sparkling Water
Cold still water or club soda can be used as a substitute. This will not result in the same effervescence, but will still provide a light and crisp quality to the drink.

Flavor Variations
Different juices or syrups can be added to the drink to create different flavor variations. For example, adding a splash of orange juice or a bit of elder flower syrup will create a sweeter, fruitier drink.

Feel free to try something new. Whether you add a splash of fresh fruit juice or swap out the sparkling wine for champagne, the possibilities are endless. 

EXPERT TIPS

Here are some expert tips for making the perfect Select Spritz:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is Select the same as Aperol?

Select Spritz and Aperol Spritz are two similar but distinct cocktails. The essential difference between the two is the type of aperitivo used as the main ingredient.

In a Select Spritz, the main ingredient is Select Aperitivo, which is a less well-known but similarly bitter-sweet aperitivo to Aperol. Select Spritz has a lighter, more refined flavor profile compared to Aperol Spritz.

On the other hand, Aperol Spritz is made with Aperol, which is a popular aperitivo with a more distinct, vibrant orange flavor and hue. Aperol Spritz is a bit sweeter than Select Spritz and has a more pronounced bitter-sweet flavor. But Select Spritz has more rich flavors of vanilla and ginger and a more vibrant and bright flavor.

Both drinks are traditionally made with prosecco and sparkling water and garnished with an orange slice or green olive.

What does Select Spritz taste like?

The Select Aperitivo website explains it best: sweet-bitter, citrus, spicy and tropical; what the luxury of time tastes like.

Where can I buy Select Aperitivo?

Select Aperitivo is not a widely available brand, so it may be difficult to find at local liquor stores. However, you can try looking for it in specialty liquor stores that carry imported Italian products or online liquor retailers that specialize in hard-to-find and niche products.

Is Select better than Campari?

It depends. Firstly, as far as I know, Campari is vegetarian and not vegan-friendly.

Select and Campari differ significantly in their alcohol content, with Select being milder than Campari’s 24% ABV. This lower alcohol content has its advantages for Select, as it allows its spicy aromas to be more pronounced and noticeable.
 

SELECT SPRITZ RECIPE

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