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Sipping a Select Spritz is one of the best things to do in Venice. Learn what a Select Spritz is and how to make one at home using the classic 3:2:1 ratio. Then learn how the Venetian spritz compares to the Aperol Spritz and Campari Spritz.
When we first visited Venice, years ago, we were so focused on seeing all the sites that we missed out on experiencing one of the city’s greatest treasures – the Select Spritz. Since we plan our trips around eating and drinking, we did plenty of both during that visit. But, if we happened to sip a Venetian spritz to wash down our cicchetti, we have no memories of the experience.
But, during our more recent visit to Italy’s City of Canals, we made up for lost aperitivo time. We started by sipping Select Spritzes during a food tour within hours of our arrival. We continued the fun by sipping more inside cicchetti bars and next to canals.
We loved Venice’s signature spritz so much that now we’re sipping Select Spritzes at home.
The Select Spritz is Venice’s signature spritz. It’s made with a 3:2:1 ratio of prosecco, Select Aperitivo,and sparkling water plus a green olive garnish. While it’s not as globally famous as other Italian cocktails, it’s THE spritz to sip in Venice.
We get why the Select Spritz is so popular in its home city. The Venetian aperitivo is refreshingly smooth without the Aperol’s bright sweetness or the Campari’s distinctive bitterness. Plus, its relatively low ABV (17.5%) means you can sip more than one during golden hour aperitivo sessions along the city’s numerous canals.
Whether you’re in Venice or at home, you need the following ingredients to craft a Select Spritz:
Ingredient quantities are detailed in the printable recipe card below.
It’s easy to find Select Aperitivo in Venice. Not only is the low-alcohol liquor served at practically every cicchetti bar and bacaro, but it’s also sold at markets and liquor stores throughout the city.
Finding the red amaro outside Venice takes a bit more effort.
In the United States, you can buy Select Aperitivo at specialty liquor retailers across the country. In the UK, your options include Italian import retailers and online sites like Amazon UK and Master of Malt. Wherever you’re located, you can always ask you local liquor store to order a bottle if it’s not already on the shelf.
After you gather the required Select Spritz ingredients, the first step is to measure the Select Aperitivo and prosecco. Immediately pour both liquids into a wine glass after you measure them. We use a Japanese jigger for this step to ensure accurate measuerements and minimize spillage.
Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.
Next, fill the wine glass half way with ice cubes.
Gently stir the two liquids with a bar spoon.
Top the glass with chilled sparkling water and garnish with a green olive.
Serve the crafted Select Spritz with additional green olives and other nibbles
Although Italy’s three iconic spritzes all follow the 3:2:1 spritz ratio rule and look fairly similar, they have the following unique flavor profiles:
- The Select Spritz is the most balanced of the three spritzes. It’s mildly bitter, lightly herbal and smooth enough to sip from dusk to dark.
- The Aperol Spritz is the sweetest and most citrusy of the three. Perhaps this is why the orange spritz has become a global happy hour favorite in recent years.
- The Campari Spritz is the boldest of the three. Its sharply bitter and intensely aromatic flavors make if a spritz that people either love or hate.
After drinking all three spritzes in both Italy and at home, we have different favorites. Daryl is a big fan of the more complex Campari Spritz while Mindi prefers sipping smooth-as-silk Select Spritzes. We both find the Aperol Spritz to be cloyingly sweet.
Don’t despair if you can’t find Select Aperitivo at your local liquor store. Instead, focus your efforts on making a different sparkling wine cocktail with a different amaro. These are our favorite spritzes to make and sip at home:
Discover 10 essential bar tools for the home mixologist.
Select Spritz Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Pour the prosecco and Select Aperitivo into a wine glass.
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Fill the glass half way with ice and gently stir.
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Top the glass with fizzy water.
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Garnish with a green olive.
Pro Tips
- You can replace the prosecco with another dry sparkling wine like cava or espumante.
- You can use club soda, soda water or sparkling water in this recipe.
- Serve with green olives and other aperitivo snacks.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Made with a 3:2:1 ratio of prosecco, Select Aperitivo, and sparkling water, the Select Spritz is Venice’s signature spritz cocktail. It’s noticeably smoother and less sweet than the globally popular Aperol Spritz.
The Select Spritz was invented in Venice, Italy.
Select Aperitivo, Prosecco, Sparkling Water, Ice Cubes and a Green Olive (garnish)
Select Aperitivo has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 17.5%. This places it between Aperol (11% ABV) and Campari (25% ABV), making the Select Spritz moderate in strength and suitable for an extended aperitivo session.
The main difference is the flavor profile. The Aperol Spritz is sweet and citrusy while the Select Spritz is smooth and mildly herbaceious. Another differerence is the ABV. Aperol has a 11% ABV while Select Aperitvo has a 17.5 % ABV. Finally, the Aperol Spritz is orange while the Select Spritz is ruby red.
The Select Spritz is stirred, not shaken.
🍸 More Italian Spritzes
Bellini Cocktail: Italy’s Peachy Spritz
Hugo Spritz: Italy’s Summer in a Glass
Limoncello Spritz: A Taste of Italy at Home
Portuguese Spritz: Delightfully Refreshing
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