The Spritz might just be the ideal summer cocktail. This classic mix of digestive bitter, sparkling wine and soda conjures visions of la dolce vita in some glorious locale where the sea is turquoise, the villas are vibrant, the streets are cobblestone and the snacks are complimentary. As James Stimson, senior brand manager at soft drink producer Franklin & Sons, puts it: ‘It’s a drink with incredibly strong emotive imagery that has been attributed to the classic Mediterranean vacations. It represents a moment in a person’s day when they can be fully relaxed.’
The cocktail’s vacation-in-a-glass vibe stems from its association with coastal Italy – but before it was a drink of holiday-goers, it was a drink of soldiers. The Spritz originated in Venice in the 19th century, when the Austrian army occupied the area. Unaccustomed to the full-bodied wines of the region, the foreigners would spray (‘spritzen’) a few drops of water in their glass to lighten the alcohol. The Spritz developed from there, evolving into a vehicle for a certain orange aperitivo and a variety of other wines, bitter liqueurs and spirits, all while retaining its simple, refreshing nature.
Given its evocative energy, versatility and simplicity, it’s no surprise that the Spritz has soared in popularity over the past few years. The drink has made its way into pub gardens, high-end cocktail establishments and home bars alike, securing a spot in the top 10 most popular cocktails in the UK and nabbing 5.3% of the market share for cocktail serves. According to Stimson, it’s also become an important focus for the team at Franklin & Sons, who view the serve as an excellent way to connect with ‘consumers drinking for quality rather than quantity’.
The secret to the Spritz
Connection through quality has been at the heart of Franklin & Sons since 1886, when the Franklin brothers first introduced their pioneering range of soft drinks in the UK. The brand was revived in 2015 and its current line-up of tonics, mixers and sodas has the same long-standing emphasis on quality and innovation – ideal for levelling up that go-to summer cocktail. ‘We offer unique flavours and versatility that can transform an ordinary Spritz into an extraordinary Spritz,’ says Stimson.
Before joining Franklin & Sons, Stimson worked as a bartender, as a chef in Michelin-starred kitchens and launched his own vermouth brand. He knows a thing or two about crafting a good Spritz and for him, the drink hinges on carbonation. ‘Bubbles are extremely important in the Spritz as they add lightness, freshness and carry the more delicate aromas and flavours out of the glass,’ he says.
The effervescent ingredients in the classic Spritz formula are typically sparkling wine, which imparts dryness and body, and soda water, which lifts and lengthens the drink. A classic soda water such as Franklin & Sons 1886 gives the cocktail a brilliant frothy texture but adventurous drinkers can swap this element for a product that delivers a big, bold profile of its own, as Stimson explains: ‘Changing up the sparkling water by simply using a [flavoured] soda from the Franklin & Sons range can completely reorient the drink to make it something more exotic, complex and fragrant.’
With this in mind, the soft drink producer developed its dual-flavoured range of sodas and tonics made with premium, natural ingredients, including the tropical Pineapple & Almond Soda, zesty Guava & Lime Soda and floral, tart Rhubarb & Hibiscus Tonic. Each one lends the Spritz its own distinctive personality, showcasing just how endlessly flexible, delicious and transportive this cocktail can be.
Ready to embrace the summer of the Spritz? Here are eight remarkable recipes to try for yourself.
Summer Spritz
This citrusy, gin-based twist on the classic Spritz is elevated by Franklin & Sons Guava & Lime Soda. A go-to summer sipper.
- 25ml Bloom Gin
- 40ml Prosecco
- 130ml Franklin & Sons Guava & Lime Soda
- 5ml fresh lime juice
- Lime slice, to garnish
Fill a wine glass with ice, then add all the ingredients. Gently stir and top with more ice. Garnish with the lime slice.
Pineapple Spritz
Franklin & Sons Pineapple & Almond Soda balances the zestiness of fresh lime in this tropical aperitivo. Mix it up at home or order one at Pub in the Park festivals across the UK this summer.
- 25ml Greenall’s Pineapple Gin
- 40ml Cocchi Americano Vermouth
- 130ml Franklin & Sons Pineapple & Almond Soda, or enough to top up
- 5ml lemon juice
- Mint sprig, to garnish
Fill a wine glass with ice. Add the gin, lemon juice and vermouth, then top up with Franklin & Sons Pineapple & Almond Soda. Gently stir and garnish with the mint.
Grapefruit Spritz
Tequila fan? This is the cocktail for you: a spritzy riff on the classic Paloma, featuring the bittersweet hit of Franklin & Sons Pink Grapefruit Soda.
- 25ml Cazcabel Blanco Tequila
- 50ml Prosecco
- 75ml Franklin & Sons Pink Grapefruit Soda
- Lime peel, to garnish
Fill a wine glass with ice, then add all the ingredients. Gently stir and top with more ice. Garnish with the lime peel.
Rhubarb & Rose Spritz
Here, rose-infused gin is in fine balance with Franklin & Sons Rhubarb & Hibiscus Tonic Water, for a cocktail that’s fruity, floral and easy drinking.
- 30ml Bosford Rose Gin
- 50ml Prosecco
- 20ml fresh pressed apple juice
- 50ml Franklin & Sons Rhubarb & Hibiscus Tonic Water
- Apple slice, to garnish
Fill a wine glass with ice, then add all the ingredients. Gently stir and top with more ice. Garnish with the apple slice.
Elderflower Spritz
The delicate flavour of elderflower shines in this Spritz thanks to the crisp, clean effervescence of Franklin & Sons’ classic 1886 Soda Water.
- 30ml St Germain Elderflower Liqueur
- 65ml white wine
- 5ml fresh lemon juice
- 50ml Franklin & Sons 1886 Soda Water
- Cucumber slice and lemon peel, to garnish
Fill a wine glass with ice, then add all the ingredients. Gently stir and top with more ice. Garnish with the slice of cucumber and lemon peel.
Irish Spritz
The perfect pairing of whiskey and ginger gets a major upgrade here, as orange-flavoured Jameson unites with the zing of Franklin & Sons Original Ginger Ale.
- 30ml Jameson Orange
- 40ml Lillet Blanc
- Dash of Angostura Orange Bitters
- 50ml Franklin & Sons Original Ginger Ale
- Orange slice, to garnish
Fill a rocks glass with ice, then add all the ingredients. Gently stir and top with more ice. Garnish with the orange slice.
No Sin Spritz
Swerving the booze? This fragrant, spiced concoction delivers all of the flavour and none of the alcohol, through the combination of Seedlip Spice 94 and Franklin & Sons Guava & Lime Soda.
- 50ml Seedlip Spice 94
- 25ml fresh grapefruit juice
- 75ml Franklin & Sons Guava & Lime Soda
- Slices of grapefruit and lime, to garnish
Fill a wine glass with ice, then add all the ingredients. Gently stir and top with more ice. Garnish with the grapefruit and lime slices.
Orange and Ginger Spritz
Bittersweet and balanced, with a bold orange flavour and a kick of ginger from the soda, this one is pure sunshine in a glass.
- 30ml Martini Fiero
- 50ml Prosecco
- 20ml fresh orange juice
- 50ml Franklin & Sons Mandarin & Ginger Soda
- Orange peel, to garnish
Fill a wine glass with ice, then add all the ingredients. Gently stir and top with more ice. Garnish with the orange peel.
