Aperol Spritz has been the reigning summer cocktail for as long as we can remember. As soon as the sun’s out and alfresco dining is officially a go, you’re guaranteed to see tables filled with the deliciously bright orange Italian punch.
However, it looks like the rules are changing for summer 2019 as a brand new tipple is here to overthrow our beloved Aperol. Introducing: the French Spritz.
Yes, we know. The sophisticated name itself already has us sold, but just wait until you hear what the fashionable new drink is made with.
Like a traditional Aperol Spritz, the ingredients are versatile, meaning everyone can add their own twist to it. That being said, the key components you will need are elderflower-flavoured St Germain, champagne or another dry sparkling wine, sparkling water and of course, the all-important garnish, which in this case is a lemon twist.
Author of Drink French Fluently, Camille Vidal, broke down her favoured method for achieving the perfect French Spritz for Stylist, saying: ‘You can spritz your drink with dry white wine, rosé, or any variant of sparkling wine to match the mood, season or food choice.’
She adds: ‘It’s preferable to revamp garnishes with the season. Use whatever you might find at the farmers’ market to dress up a batch of spritzes’ – although in our case, the local supermarket might be a lot easier to pop to.
One cocktail enthusiast on Instagram has even demonstrated a step-by-tep guide on how to make your own French Spritz at home, writing in a post: ‘Add all ingredients, except crémant [or champagne or wine], to a shaker tin. Slowly pour crémant into glass by eye (or using a digital scale, if you’re fancy).
They say to add ice cubes, taking care not to agitate the wine too much (‘Save those bubbles!’) and to quickly whip-shake other ingredients with a small amount of pebble or crushed ice.
‘Double strain gently into glass. Garnish, and enjoy with friends.’
We might just give it a go!
