Spritzer


A spritzer is a tall, chilled drink, usually made with white wine and carbonated water or sparkling mineral water. Fermented simple syrup can be used instead of white wine to keep it sweet but flavor neutral.

Origin

Spritzer is derived from the variant of the German language spoken in Austria, where the drink is very popular. Also very popular in Eastern and Central Europe, for example in Slovakia where it is called vinny spric. It is used alongside the equally common form Gespritzter, a term also found in some German regions, such as Hessen. In most of Germany, the word "Schorle" is used to denote a Spritzer.

Alcoholic spritzers

ic spritzers are increasingly available ready-mixed in cans; their relatively low alcohol and calorific content means they are often marketed to women.
In Hesse, gespritzt usually refers to a mixture of soda water or lemonade and Apfelwein, an alcoholic drink from fermented apple juice somewhat similar to dry hard cider.
In Hungary spritzer, called fröccs, is very popular. There are dozens of different types of spritzer. They are distinguished by the proportion of wine and carbonated water or the type of other liquids added. Examples include:
  • Kisfröccs or Fütty, made with 1dl of wine and 1dl of carbonated soda water;
  • Nagyfröccs, made with 2dl of wine and 1dl of carbonated soda water;
  • Hosszúlépés, made with 1dl of wine and 2dl of carbonated soda water;
  • Házmester, made with 3dl of wine and 2dl of carbonated soda water;
  • Háziúr, made with 4dl of wine and 1dl of carbonated soda water;
  • Viceházmester, made with 2dl of wine and 3dl of carbonated soda water;
  • Sportfröccs, made with 1dl of wine and 4dl of carbonated soda water;
  • Újházy fröccs, made with 2dl of wine and a special pickle juice;
  • Macifröccs, made with red wine, soda and raspberry syrup;
  • Krúdy-fröccs, made with 9dl of wine and 1dl of carbonated soda water.
Other variations include: șpriț de vară in Romania, Brizganec or ‘’Špricar’’in Slovenia, "špricer" in Serbia. In Croatia, a popular drink called gemišt is mixed with white wine and sparkling water to taste.
In north-eastern regions of Italy, especially Venice and surroundings, a spritz is a popular light cocktail, a mix of sparkling white wine, sparkling water, and Aperol or Bitter Campari. Spritzer in Italy is not so popular anymore and is called spritz bianco.

Non-alcoholic spritzer

In the United States, some non-alcoholic carbonated juices are sold as spritzers. The same type of carbonated juice is known in Germany as Saftschorle or Fruchtschorle. Particularly Apfelschorle is one of the most popular soft drinks in Germany. In Austria Apfelschorle is called Apfelsaft g'spritzt. ... g'spritzt can be combined with every juice, e.g. Orangensaft g'spritzt or Pago/Cappy g'spritzt.