St-Germain Spritz
The St-Germain Spritz is a chic and refreshing cocktail that has become a modern staple for warm weather sipping. It elegantly balances the sweet, floral notes of elderflower liqueur with the crisp acidity of prosecco and the light effervescence of soda water. Its beautiful simplicity and delightful taste make it a perfect choice for brunches, garden parties, or any celebratory occasion.
Preparation
Preparation time: 3 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
This drink is primarily categorized as a Spritz and an Aperitif, designed to be enjoyed before a meal to stimulate the appetite. It's a light, refreshing cocktail that fits into the Modern Classics category due to its widespread popularity since the launch of St-Germain liqueur.
Serving
This is a cold, tall, and bubbly drink served in a large wine glass filled with ice. Its alcohol content is relatively low, making it an excellent sessionable aperitif.
Serving size
approx. 180-240 ml / 6-8 oz
Alcohol content
approx. 8-11% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Large Wine Glass
Glass treatment
None
Backstory
The cocktail's popularity soared with the introduction of St-Germain liqueur in 2007. The brand itself heavily marketed the simple spritz recipe, positioning it as an easy-to-make, sophisticated French aperitif. It brilliantly capitalized on the global spritz trend, offering a sweet and floral alternative to the more bitter Italian counterparts like the Aperol Spritz.
Origin
France / USA, circa 2007. While the spritz concept is Italian, this specific variation is intrinsically tied to the French liqueur St-Germain, which was created by American distiller Robert J. Cooper.
St-Germain Spritz
The St-Germain Spritz is often simply called an Elderflower Spritz, highlighting its key floral flavor. The hyphenation in St-Germain is sometimes omitted. It's a modern, elegant variation of the classic Italian spritz, offering a distinctly French-inspired profile.
Original name
St-Germain Spritz
Alternative names
- Elderflower Spritz
- St. Germain Spritz
Characteristics overview
The drink has a distinct floral and citrus aroma, with a sweet yet balanced flavor profile. It's light-bodied and highly effervescent, presenting as a beautiful pale gold color, making it an archetypal refreshing summer cocktail.
Flavor
floral, elderflower, pear, grapefruit, citrus, crisp, sweet
Aroma
floral, honeysuckle, citrus, grape, lychee
Taste balance
sweet, slightly tart
Aftertaste
clean, refreshing, short, floral
Fizziness
bubbly, effervescent, sparkling
Color appearance
pale gold, clear, transparent, sparkling
Texture
light, crisp, watery, thin
Seasonality
refreshing, summery, spring-like, light
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor profile is moderately sweet and fruity with a hint of tartness, dominated by floral notes. It is a light-bodied, highly carbonated drink with a low alcohol strength.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
You'll need three main liquid ingredients: St-Germain elderflower liqueur, dry prosecco, and sparkling water. A fresh lemon for a twist garnish is the ideal finishing touch.
- St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur45 ml / 1.5 ounces
- Prosecco60 ml / 2 ouncesMust be well chilled. Any dry sparkling wine like Cava or Crémant can be substituted.
- Sparkling Water60 ml / 2 ouncesClub soda or seltzer water are perfect substitutes. Must be well chilled.
- Lemon Twist1 pieceFor garnish. A lemon wheel is also a good alternative.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
No special equipment is needed beyond a bar spoon to gently mix the ingredients in the glass. A jigger is recommended for accurate measurements.
- Bar Spoon: for gently stirring the ingredients in the glass.
- Jigger: for accurate measurement of liquids.
Instructions
The St-Germain Spritz is built directly in the serving glass. Simply fill a large wine glass with ice, add the liqueur, prosecco, and soda, then stir gently and garnish.
1. Fill a large wine glass to the top with ice cubes to ensure the drink stays well-chilled.
2. Pour in 45 ml (1.5 oz) of St-Germain elderflower liqueur over the ice.
3. Gently add 60 ml (2 oz) of chilled prosecco.
4. Top the drink with 60 ml (2 oz) of chilled sparkling water.
5. Give the drink a single, gentle stir with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients without losing carbonation.
6. Take a fresh lemon peel, hold it over the glass, and twist it to express its citrus oils onto the surface of the drink.
7. Drop the lemon twist into the glass as a garnish and serve immediately.
Garnishing
Garnish with a fresh lemon twist, expressing its citrus oils over the top of the drink to enhance the aroma. A lemon wheel or edible flowers are also beautiful alternatives.
- Lemon Twist: Express the oils from a fresh lemon peel over the drink's surface before dropping it into the glass.
Dietary Information
This cocktail is generally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, and gluten. It is also caffeine-free, vegan, and vegetarian friendly.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
This drink has a moderate sugar and carbohydrate content, primarily from the liqueur and wine, with a calorie count averaging around 165 kcal per serving.
Calories
averagely 150-180 kcal / 627-753 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
averagely 15-20 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
averagely 14-18 g
Sugar level
Occasions
Perfect for light, celebratory events, the St-Germain Spritz shines at brunches, summer parties, and as a pre-dinner aperitif. Its elegant and refreshing character also makes it a popular choice for weddings and outdoor gatherings.
- Brunch
- Summer Party
- Aperitif Hour
- Wedding Reception
- Alfresco Dining
Pairing suggestions
It pairs beautifully with light appetizers and finger foods. Think goat cheese boards, prosciutto-wrapped melon, fresh berries, or light seafood dishes like shrimp cocktail. Its refreshing nature cuts through saltiness and complements fresh, delicate flavors.
- Light Cheeses (e.g., Goat cheese, Feta, Brie)
- Cured Meats (e.g., Prosciutto)
- Fresh Fruit platters
- Seafood Appetizers (e.g., Oysters, Shrimp cocktail, Smoked salmon blinis)
- Light Salads with vinaigrette
The St-Germain Spritz: A Sip of Parisian Spring
The St-Germain Spritz is the epitome of an elegant and effortless modern cocktail. Its signature floral sweetness from elderflower liqueur, balanced by crisp prosecco and effervescent soda, creates a highly refreshing experience. Perfect for sipping on a sunny afternoon or as a sophisticated aperitif before a meal, it's a simple-to-make drink that always impresses with its delicate flavor and beautiful presentation.
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