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Spritzer

winespritzerThe general rule, regardless of batch size, is three parts wine to one part club soda.

4 oz aromatic white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, or Gewürztraminer)
4 oz soda water
dash of orange or lemon bitters (optional)

Garnish:
1 twist orange or lemon

First, add the soda water to the glass, then pour in the wine.

Garnish with an orange twist.

Makes 1 cocktail.

Cook's Notes:

  • METHOD: The wine and the soda water should be well chilled, at around 4-6°C. The soda water should be poured into the glass first because the wine has a higher specific weight and will gently mix the soda water as it's poured into the glass.
  • WINE: Dry white wine with an alcohol content of about 11.5-12% is ideal. In Austria, they typically make spritzer with Grüner Veltliner, Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC, and Welschriesling wines.
  • SODA WATER: Soda water should be as neutral as possible, high in carbon and with minimal mineralization. If in a pinch, sparkling water or club soda can be used instead.
  • DRINKWARE: Spritzer is not to be made in large pitchers as say a sangria, but rather in individual glasses, no bigger than 2.5 dl, as that way bubbles have less chance of evaporating. It is to be served in any of the following: a G'spritzter style glass with a stem that's been prescribed as the glass of choice by the Austrian Wine Marketing Board or a G'spritzer jug. Alternatively, a white wine glass can be used as well.