Rosé Spritzer – refreshing, light cocktail

Try this easy rosé spritzer, a simple 2-ingredient cocktail that’s perfect for summer! Since it’s not too sweet, it’s a popular and lower calorie option.

You won’t find an easier little cocktail to make than this rosé spritzer! Just a splash of wine and a splash of club soda poured over ice is all it takes. Garnished with a fresh strawberry, it’s a pretty and refreshing summer libation, and low calorie, too.

Hard seltzers are super popular right now and you’ll find about a hundred choices on the shelves at your market. A combination of carbonated water, alcohol, and fruit flavoring, they are low alcohol, low carb, low calorie, and gluten-free.

Or you may be more familiar with wine coolers, which were hot in the 80s. Way sweeter than a hard seltzer, they were sort of a fizzy wine punch, usually made with cheap wine, fruit pulp, and artificial flavors.

But hard seltzers and wine coolers can be a little pricey. Why not make your own? Buy a bottle of inexpensive wine and a bottle of club soda or seltzer and you’ll be able to make eight spritzers for just a bit more than the price of 4 hard seltzers.

Economy aside, another reason you’ll love making your own wine spritzer is that it’s very easy to customize. You can alter the ratio of wine and club soda or add different garnishes or fresh herbs. Rosé isn’t the only wine that makes a great spritzer. Try other white or red wines. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

About this Easy Spritzer

Really, we can hardly call this a recipe. With only two ingredients, you won’t need to refer to a long list of directions. I’ll give you a quick “bartending” lesson with lots of extra suggestions and hints.

You’ll find the printable recipe at the end of the post with measurements, directions, and nutrition information.

What you need

• Rosé Wine: Choose a wine that you would enjoy drinking on its own but don’t spend tons of money on expensive wine. This is the place to use affordable wine. Make sure your rosé is chilled.
• Club Soda: Club soda, seltzer, and sparkling mineral water are basically the same thing: carbonated water. Club soda has added minerals which enhance the flavor. Seltzer does not contain added minerals. Sparkling mineral water has naturally occurring carbonation. Choose the one you like best. You’ll also want to make sure this is chilled so that you have a nice cool beverage.
• Ice: Optional, but for a nice cold summer drink, ice is always welcome.
• Strawberry: Also optional, but isn’t it pretty and festive?

How to make a Spritzer

Chill the rosé and club soda. Really, this is important. A spritzer is best icy cold. Yeah, yeah, you’re adding ice to it and that’s cold. But warm wine and warm club soda will make the ice melt really quickly and dilute your cocktail. Not good!

Fill a pretty glass with ice and pour in equal measures of wine.

Next, add club soda. No need to stir!

Garnish with a beautiful red ripe strawberry. Keep reading for more garnish ideas.

Enjoy!

Oh, wait a minute! You may want something to nibble on with your cocktail! While a bowl of pretzels or popcorn is just fine, if you’re feeling just a little more ambitious, a cheese board is always welcome. An artfully arranged board of cheese, crackers, dips, dried or fresh fruit, nuts looks really sophisticated and is easy to do.

Here are a few homemade embellishments for you to try: Olive Oil Roasted Almonds, Sweet and Spicy Candied Bourbon Pecans, Baked Goat Cheese Dip with Lemon and Thyme, Easy Homemade Hummus, Baked Brie with Cranberries and Bourbon Pecans, and homemade Tomato Bruschetta. Learn how to make your own Crostini, it’s super easy.

FAQs

Make It Your Own

• Use a different type of wine. Try these white wines: riesling, pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay or gewürtztraminer. Sweeter wines like pink zinfandel, muscato, or fruit wines will make a sweeter spritzer. I love this Red Wine and Cherry Spritzer, with red wine, cherry pie liqueur and ginger ale.
• Garnishes: a slice of citrus (lemon, lime, orange, blood orange, grapefruit) or a twist of peel make really wonderful garnishes. Try other fruits like melon, peach, blackberry, or green apple. Try this Raspberry Rosé Spritzer, with fruit purée.
• Add a sprig of mint, basil, lemon balm, or rosemary for a fresh herby flavor.
• Replace the club soda with lemon-lime soda, 7-Up, or Fresca. The cocktail will be sweeter.

More Easy-To-Make Cocktails

Learn how to make your own cocktails. Most of them are very simple. You don’t have to be a trained bartender to make them. Try:

• Bay Breeze Recipe
• Aperol Spritz (learn how to make the best Aperol spritz!)
• Vodka Lemonade
• Negroni – How to make the best negroni cocktail!
• Classic Gin and Tonic Recipe – tips to make the best!
• Orange Gin and Tonic with Cinnamon
• Blood Orange Martini
• Grapefruit and Elderflower Cocktail