If you love bright, refreshing cocktails with a beautiful ruby-red color, a Lambrusco Spritz is an easy drink to add to your recipe collection. Made with chilled Lambrusco, citrus, a bitter Italian aperitivo, and sparkling water, this cocktail offers a fruity, bubbly twist on the classic spritz.

Lambrusco is a sparkling wine from Italy that can range from dry to sweet, making the style of wine you choose especially important for the finished cocktail. Dry or semi-dry Lambrusco works particularly well when you want a balanced drink rather than an overly sweet one.

What Is a Lambrusco Spritz?

A Lambrusco Spritz is a sparkling wine cocktail that uses Lambrusco instead of the more commonly used Prosecco. The result is typically fruitier and more colorful, with the characteristic red or ruby tones of Lambrusco.

The cocktail follows the basic idea behind a traditional spritz: sparkling wine, a bitter or citrus-forward aperitivo, and a splash of sparkling water served over ice. Different versions use Aperol, Campari, amaro, orange juice, or flavored sparkling water.

Why You’ll Love This Lambrusco Spritz

There are plenty of reasons to save this easy cocktail recipe:

• Quick to make: It comes together in just a few minutes.
• Beautiful presentation: Lambrusco gives the drink an eye-catching ruby color.
• Refreshing: Citrus and sparkling water keep the cocktail bright.
• Fruity and bubbly: Lambrusco brings fruit-forward flavor and natural carbonation.
• Easy to customize: You can adjust the sweetness and bitterness to suit your taste.
• Great for entertaining: It can easily be prepared individually or adapted for a gathering.

Lambrusco Spritz Ingredients

For one cocktail, you’ll need:

• 3 ounces chilled Lambrusco
• 1 ounce Aperol or amaro
• 1 ounce fresh orange juice
• 1 ounce chilled sparkling water
• Ice
• 1 orange slice for garnish

Lambrusco provides the sparkling wine base, while the aperitivo contributes bitterness and complexity. Fresh orange juice adds brightness and sweetness, and sparkling water lightens the drink.

Several published versions use a similar combination of Lambrusco, an Italian bitter liqueur, orange juice, and sparkling water.

What Kind of Lambrusco Should You Use?

Choosing the right Lambrusco can make a noticeable difference.

For a balanced spritz, look for dry or semi-dry Lambrusco. Dry Lambrusco is often labeled secco, while sweeter styles can have noticeably more residual sweetness.

If you’re adding orange juice and Aperol, a dry Lambrusco can help keep the cocktail from becoming overly sweet.

Lambrusco is traditionally associated with Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region and is made from Lambrusco grape varieties. Its flavor profile can range from fresh and fruity to richer and more structured depending on the style.

How to Make a Lambrusco Spritz

Step 1: Chill Your Ingredients

Keep the Lambrusco and sparkling water refrigerated before making the cocktail. A cold base helps preserve the refreshing character of the drink.

Step 2: Fill a Glass With Ice

Choose a large wine glass or spritz glass and fill it generously with ice.

A clear glass works particularly well because the deep color of the Lambrusco becomes part of the presentation.

Step 3: Add the Aperitivo

Pour the Aperol or amaro over the ice.

Aperol gives the drink a lighter, citrusy bitterness, while a more intensely flavored amaro can create a deeper and more complex cocktail.

Step 4: Add Fresh Orange Juice

Pour in the fresh orange juice.

Freshly squeezed juice is ideal because it provides a bright citrus flavor that complements the fruity character of Lambrusco.

Step 5: Pour in the Lambrusco

Slowly add the chilled Lambrusco to the glass.

Pour gently to preserve as much of the wine’s natural carbonation as possible.

Step 6: Top With Sparkling Water

Add a small amount of chilled sparkling water and gently stir.

Avoid vigorous stirring because you don’t want to lose the bubbles.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Finish with a fresh orange slice and serve immediately.

For an elegant presentation, you can also add a thin orange wheel rather than a standard wedge.

What Does a Lambrusco Spritz Taste Like?

The flavor depends on the Lambrusco and aperitivo you choose, but the drink generally combines fruity, citrusy, bittersweet, and sparkling notes.

The Lambrusco contributes berry-like fruitiness and carbonation. Orange juice adds fresh citrus and sweetness, while Aperol or amaro provides bitterness and complexity. Sparkling water makes the finished drink lighter and more refreshing.

If you prefer sweeter cocktails, choose a slightly sweeter Lambrusco or add a small amount of simple syrup. If you prefer a drier drink, use a dry Lambrusco and reduce the orange juice.

Lambrusco Spritz vs. Aperol Spritz

Both drinks follow the same general spritz concept, but their personalities are different.

Feature	Lambrusco Spritz	Classic Aperol Spritz
Sparkling wine	Lambrusco	Prosecco
Color	Ruby/red or deep pink	Orange
Flavor	Fruity, sparkling, citrusy	Citrusy, bittersweet
Main wine character	Fruity red/rosé wine	Crisp sparkling white wine
Best for	A colorful twist on a classic	Traditional spritz lovers

The Lambrusco version is particularly appealing if you want something that feels familiar but looks and tastes different from the standard Aperol Spritz.

Easy Ingredient Substitutions

No Aperol?

Campari can be used when you want a stronger bitter and more intense citrus profile. Other amari can also work, depending on the flavor you want.

No Fresh Orange Juice?

You can use quality bottled orange juice, although freshly squeezed juice generally provides a brighter flavor.

No Sparkling Water?

Club soda or plain seltzer can work as alternatives. Some variations also use orange-flavored sparkling water for an extra citrus-forward finish.

Want a Sweeter Cocktail?

Use a sweeter Lambrusco or add a small amount of simple syrup. Add it gradually so you don’t overpower the wine and citrus.

Expert Tips for the Best Lambrusco Spritz

Use plenty of ice. A well-chilled spritz tastes more refreshing and helps maintain its balance.

Keep the Lambrusco cold. Cold sparkling wine also helps preserve carbonation when poured.

Use fresh citrus. Fresh orange juice can make the drink taste brighter and more vibrant.

Don’t over-stir. A gentle stir is enough to combine the ingredients without flattening the bubbles.

Taste before adjusting. Lambrusco varies significantly in sweetness, so taste the finished drink before adding extra sweetener.

Serve immediately. Like most sparkling cocktails, this drink is at its best soon after preparation.

How to Serve a Lambrusco Spritz

This cocktail works especially well as an aperitivo or pre-dinner drink.

Serve it alongside simple appetizers such as:

• Italian olives
• Potato chips
• Marinated vegetables
• Cheese boards
• Prosciutto
• Bruschetta
• Crostini
• Salted nuts

Italian-style aperitivo culture commonly pairs drinks with small savory snacks, making a Lambrusco Spritz a natural choice for relaxed entertaining.

Can You Make Lambrusco Spritz for a Party?

Yes. The cocktail can be scaled for entertaining, but sparkling ingredients are best added close to serving time.

For a larger gathering, combine the non-carbonated ingredients in a chilled pitcher. Keep the Lambrusco and sparkling water refrigerated separately, then add them shortly before serving.

For the freshest presentation, fill individual glasses with ice and pour the mixture into each glass before topping with Lambrusco and sparkling water.

This approach helps preserve the bubbles and allows guests to enjoy the drink at its best.

When to Serve This Cocktail

A Lambrusco Spritz is versatile enough for many occasions, including:

• Summer gatherings
• Brunch
• Dinner parties
• Italian-themed dinners
• Holiday celebrations
• Backyard entertaining
• Date nights
• Weekend happy hour
• Aperitivo-style gatherings

Its vibrant color also makes it especially attractive for food photography and entertaining tablescapes.

Final Thoughts

The Lambrusco Spritz is a simple way to put a fresh spin on the classic Italian spritz. Its combination of fruity sparkling Lambrusco, bright orange, bittersweet aperitivo, and refreshing bubbles creates a cocktail that is easy to prepare but impressive enough for entertaining.

For the best results, start with a well-chilled dry or semi-dry Lambrusco, use fresh orange juice, and adjust the sweetness to your preference. Once you have the basic recipe mastered, you can experiment with different aperitivos, citrus garnishes, and sparkling waters to create your own signature version.