The Amaro Spritz: A Complete History & Classic Recipe

Italian aperitivo culture has always been a dance between bitterness and sunshine. The Amaro Spritz takes that balance and enriches it—deepening the herbal backbone, brightening the effervescence, and modernizing a centuries-old drinking ritual. If the Aperol Spritz is the global gateway and the Negroni Sbagliato is the dramatic cousin, the Amaro Spritz is the connoisseur’s choice: layered, herbal, quietly complex, and endlessly refreshing.

Part garden, part apothecary, part terrace moment—the Amaro Spritz is an aperitivo for people who love to taste place, heritage, and ritual in their glass.

I. Origins

Before the Spritz, There Was Bitter

The story of the Amaro Spritz begins long before bubbles were ever added to the glass. Amaro—Italy’s family of herbal liqueurs—dates back centuries. Originally medicinal, these bitters were infused with botanicals, roots, flowers, seeds, and barks. Each region guarded its formula:

• Alpine regions favored gentian, pine, and chamomile.

• Southern Italy leaned into citrus peels and warm spices.

• Central Italy preferred artichokes, saffron, and earthy herbs.

By the 19th century, amaros evolved from tonics to cultural symbols, consumed before meals to stimulate the appetite or afterward to settle the stomach.

The Spritz Arrives in Veneto

Meanwhile, up north in Veneto, Austrian soldiers introduced the idea of “spritzing” wine with water in the 1800s. Over time, this simple dilution evolved into the modern Spritz:

• Wine

• Bitter aperitivo

• Sparkling water

But the iconic orange-hued Aperol Spritz didn’t dominate until the mid-20th century.

When the Two Traditions Met

The Amaro Spritz emerged from bartenders who wanted a deeper, more herbaceous expression of the terrace cocktail. Instead of using lighter bitter liqueurs like Aperol or Select, they reached for:

• Cynar

• Amaro Nonino

• Montenegro

• Amaro Averna

• Amaro Lucano

• Ramazzotti

These amaros brought complexity without overwhelming bitterness.

The result was transformative: a Spritz that feels both familiar and new—less sweet, more nuanced, beautifully layered.

By the early 2010s, the Amaro Spritz became a staple of modern aperitivo bars, embraced by craft bartenders and amaro enthusiasts alike.

II. Historical Evolution

Aperitivo Meets Artisanal Revival

As the global craft cocktail revival gained momentum in the early 2000s, bartenders sought ingredients with heritage and terroir. Amaro, with its:

• regional roots

• secret family recipes

• medicinal origins

• bold botanical flavors

…became the perfect artisan’s ingredient.

Simultaneously, spritz culture exploded internationally. This created the conditions for a hybrid drink—one with all the refreshment of a Spritz but with the herbal sophistication of amaro.

A Shift Away From Sweetness

The classic Aperol Spritz is beloved for its bright, fruity approachability. But drinkers wanted options that aligned with modern palates:

• lower sweetness

• more bitterness

• more botanicals

• more authenticity

The Amaro Spritz offered exactly that—a sophisticated alternative without sacrificing drinkability.

Restaurant Adoption

High-end Italian restaurants and wine bars embraced the Amaro Spritz because:

• It pairs exceptionally well with food.

• It bridges aperitivo and digestif traditions.

• It highlights regional amaros in a friendly format.

• It photographs beautifully—rustic, warm, herbal.

By the late 2010s, it became a signature pre-dinner cocktail across major cities.

III. Ingredients & Technique

The Amaro Spritz thrives on simplicity and harmony—three ingredients, infinite character.

1. The Amaro

Choosing the amaro determines the soul of the drink. Popular options:

Amaro Nonino

• Honeyed, citrusy, elegant

• The most refined option

Montenegro

• Vanilla, orange, rose

• Balanced and wildly aromatic

Cynar

• Artichoke-based, vegetal, earthy

• Chic and modern

Averna

• Caramelized, dark, Sicilian

• Deep and comforting

Each creates a different personality.

2. Sparkling Wine

Traditionally:

• Prosecco — fruit-forward, easy-drinking

Other options:

• Dry Crémant

• Cava

• Brut Champagne (for luxe versions)

3. Sparkling Water

A splash lightens the structure and enhances effervescence.

4. Garnish

The garnish brings aromatics to the forefront:

• Orange wheel

• Lemon peel

• Basil leaf

• Rosemary sprig

• Olive (Venetian tradition)

5. Build Technique

The Amaro Spritz is always built in the glass—never shaken.

• Add ice first

• Add amaro

• Add sparkling wine gently

• Finish with soda water

• Stir once, delicately

This preserves carbonation and clarity.

IV. Cultural Significance

1. A Symbol of Italy’s Herbal Heritage

The Amaro Spritz is more than a cocktail—it’s a showcase of Italy’s botanical geography:

• Alpine flowers

• Sicilian citrus

• Calabrian spices

• Venetian roots

Each bottle of amaro carries a story of place, and the Spritz becomes the stage on which these stories shine.

2. Aperitivo Evolved

Aperitivo hour is not just a time of day—it’s a ritual of unwinding, socializing, and preparing the palate. The Amaro Spritz beautifully balances:

• bitterness to stimulate appetite

• effervescence to refresh

• sweetness to soften herbal edges

• low ABV for sociable sipping

It’s slow drinking at its finest.

3. Modern Identity

Today, the Amaro Spritz is:

• a fixture on craft cocktail menus

• a staple in wine bars

• a darling on social media (rustic chic aesthetic)

• a crossover drink for amaro novices and experts alike

Its versatility and sophistication ensure its endurance.

V. How to Make the Classic Version Today

Recipe — The Classic Amaro Spritz

Ingredients

• 2 oz (60 ml) amaro of choice (Montenegro or Nonino recommended)

• 3 oz (90 ml) Prosecco

• 1 oz (30 ml) soda water

• Garnish: orange wheel, rosemary sprig, or lemon peel

Method

1. Fill a large wine glass with ice.

2. Add amaro.

3. Add Prosecco gently to preserve bubbles.

4. Top with soda water.

5. Give one slow stir to integrate.

6. Garnish with an orange wheel and optional rosemary sprig.

Specs

• Glass: Large wine glass or balloon glass

• Ice: Full cubes

• Garnish: Orange wheel + optional rosemary

• Style: Aperitivo / low-ABV spritz

Technique Notes

• Use very cold ingredients to preserve carbonation.

• Add sparkling wine before soda for best integration.

• Adjust amaro amount based on bitterness preference.

• Rosemary amplifies herbal complexity; basil brings freshness.

Variations & Lineage

• Cynar Spritz: Earthy, chic, vegetal.

• Montenegro Spritz: Aromatic, crowd-pleasing, orange-forward.

• Nonino Spritz: Elegant and refined.

• Amaro Rosso Spritz: Use a darker amaro for caramel complexity.

• Aperitivo-Amaro Hybrid: Half Aperol, half Montenegro.

Service & Pairing Tip

• Ideal with olives, anchovies, cured meats, fried snacks, burrata, arancini, or crudités.

• Perfect for golden hour, terrace gatherings, and pre-dinner rituals.

VI. Modern Variations & Legacy

Aperitivo Reimagined

The Amaro Spritz represents the next phase of spritz culture—one that celebrates:

• complexity

• heritage

• regionality

• botanical nuance

It’s the drink ordered by people who once loved Aperol but now want something deeper.

Why It Endures

• Approachable bitterness: perfect gateway to amaro.

• Low ABV: ideal for long afternoons.

• Visually iconic: amber hues, rustic garnishes.

• Infinitely adaptable: every amaro tells a different story.

As global palates continue shifting toward complexity, the Amaro Spritz is poised to become a modern aperitivo staple—an enduring chapter in Italy’s centuries-long botanical tradition.