Recipes
Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home
Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home
Celebrate your state with plenty of Prosecco, iconic liqueurs and great company.
Lazy sunny days, balmy evenings and hot weather galore—summer is officially spritz season, whether you prefer the bittersweet flavors of Aperol and Campari or the fabulous florals of a Hugo. While these tried-and-true classics are staples in our rotation of refreshing summer spritzes, the drinks world is loaded with stellar liqueurs for all your spritzing needs. And for National Spritz Day (August 1), what better way to celebrate than with 50 spritzes for all 50 states to see you through to the end of summer?
How to Make a Spritz
The secret to a standout spritz is quality ingredients, which boils down to a great bottle of dry Prosecco and an excellent liqueur. The two should marry a touch of bitterness with complex botanicals.
Ratio-wise, it couldn’t be simpler. Third-generation chef Joe Isidori of New York City’s hotspot Arthur & Sons goes by a 3-2-1 rule. “I go classic: 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts liqueur, 1 part soda. That’s your sweet spot,” he says. “You want the bubbles and booze to play nice together but never let one overpower the other.” Temperature matters too. Joe recommends building your spritz over ice, gently stirring and keeping the drink cold.
Let’s talk garnishes. Fresh is typically best—this goes for both fruit and herbs, although dried citrus wheels make a gorgeous addition to these vibrant tipples (and a great excuse to use your dehydrator). “They’re not just for the ‘gram,” says Joe. “They all add aromatics that hit you before the first sip. A good garnish should complement the ingredients and enhance the experience.” Pick up on flavors in the liqueur like we see with orange and Aperol, or go with complementary flavors à la fresh mint leaves in a Hugo spritz.
50 Spritzes for 50 States
Below, I’ve created some basic formulas for making a spritz cocktail based on special liqueurs or flavors from each state. Choose your favorite stemmed cocktail glass, use your prettiest ice cube molds, and spritz away!
West
Alaska Spritz: Prosecco + Pacific Rim Salmonberry Liqueur + Soda + Berries
Arizona Spritz: Prosecco + 505 Spirits Purple People Eater Prickly Pear Liqueur + Soda + Lemon
California Spritz: Prosecco + Greenbar Distillery California Poppy Amaro + Soda
Colorado Spritz: Prosecco + Leopold Bros. Three Chamber Peach Liqueur + Soda + Rosemary sprigs
Hawaii Spritz: Prosecco + Heirloom Liqueurs Pineapple Amaro + Soda + Pineapple wedge + Mint leaves
Idaho Spritz: Prosecco + 44 North Huckleberry Cream Liqueur + Soda + Berries
Montana Spritz: Prosecco + Glacier Distilling Co. Huckleberry Liqueur + Soda + Berries
Nevada Spritz: Prosecco + Ferino Amer + Soda + Orange
New Mexico Spritz: Prosecco + Grove Street Hatch Chile Liqueur + Soda + Lime
Oregon Spritz: Prosecco + Clear Creek Marionberry Liqueur + Soda + Blackberries
Utah Spritz: Prosecco + Ogden’s Own Underground Liqueur + Soda + Orange
Washington Spritz: Prosecco + Whidbey Blackberry Liqueur + Soda + Blackberries + Mint leaves
Wyoming Spritz: Prosecco + Mt. Defiance Cassis Liqueur + Soda + Mint leaves
Midwest
Illinois Spritz: Prosecco + Jeppson’s Malört + Soda + Red grapefruit
Indiana Spritz: Prosecco + Apologue Persimmon Liqueur + Soda + Orange
Iowa Spritz: Prosecco + Revelton Mulberry Flavored Gin + Soda + Berries + Mint leaves
Kansas Spritz: Prosecco + Wood Hat Black Walnut Liqueur + Soda + Apple
Michigan Spritz: Prosecco + Long Road Distillers Michigan Cherry Liqueur + Soda + Red cherries + Thyme sprigs
Minnesota Spritz: Prosecco + Vikre Apertivo Classico + Soda + Orange
Missouri Spritz: Prosecco + J. Rieger Caffe Amaro + Soda + Lemon
Nebraska Spritz: Prosecco + Sweet Blondie’s Butter Brickle Liqueur + Soda
North Dakota Spritz: Prosecco + Willie’s Distillery Choke Cherry Liqueur + Soda
Ohio Spritz: Prosecco + Munyon’s Paw Paw + Soda + Lemon
South Dakota Spritz: Prosecco + Apologue Aronia Liqueur + Soda + Berries
Wisconsin Spritz: Prosecco + Great Lakes Distillery Good Land Cranberry Liqueur + Cranberries + Rosemary sprigs
Northeast
Connecticut Spritz: Prosecco + Wild Moon Birch Liqueur + Soda + Cranberries
Maine Spritz: Prosecco + Blueshine Blueberry Liquor + Soda + Blueberries
Massachusetts Spritz: Prosecco + GrandTen Craneberry Liqueur + Soda + Cranberries + Lavender
New Hampshire Spritz: Prosecco + Devil’s Footprint Apple Liqueur + Soda + Apples + Thyme sprigs
New Jersey Spritz: Prosecco + Blue Rascal Blueberry Liqueur + Soda + Blueberries + Mint leaves
New York Spritz: Prosecco + Empire Apple Liqueur + Soda + Apple + Cinnamon stick
Pennsylvania Spritz: Prosecco + Dr. McGillicuddy’s Root Beer Liqueur + Soda + Mint leaves
Rhode Island Spritz: Prosecco + Boston Harbor Distillery Coffee Liqueur + Soda + Lemon
Vermont Spritz: Prosecco + Snow Farm Distillery Maple Liqueur + Soda + Rosemary sprigs
South
Alabama Spritz: Prosecco + Praline Pecan Liqueur + Soda + Lemon
Arkansas Spritz: Prosecco + Cazottes Liqueur de Tomates + Soda + Basil leaves
Delaware Spritz: Prosecco + Daytrip Peach Amaro + Soda + Peach + Mint leaves
Florida Spritz: Prosecco + J. F. Hayden’s Orange Liqueur + Soda + Orange
Georgia Spritz: Prosecco + Blended Family Peach No. 4 Liqueur + Soda + Peach + Rosemary sprigs
Kentucky Spritz: Prosecco + Five Springs Honey Sage Bourbon + Soda + Mint leaves
Louisiana Spritz: Prosecco + Southern Comfort + Soda + Lime
Maryland Spritz: Prosecco + Don Ciccio & Figli Cinque Aperitivo Bianco + Soda + Lemon
Mississippi Spritz: Prosecco + Cathead Distillery Hoodoo Chicory Liqueur + Soda + Apple + Lemon
North Carolina Spritz: Prosecco + Corbin Cash Sweet Potato Liqueur + Soda + Lemon + Rosemary sprigs
Oklahoma Spritz: Prosecco + American Fruits Strawberry Liqueur + Soda + Strawberries + Mint leaves
South Carolina Spritz: Prosecco + High Wire Distilling Co. Southern Amaro Liqueur + Soda + Tangerine + Mint leaves
Tennessee Spritz: Prosecco + Liba Spirits Terrativo Bourbon Liqueur + Soda + Blood orange
Texas Spritz: Prosecco + Rio Grande Grapefruit Liqueur + Soda + Red grapefruit
Virginia Spritz: Prosecco + Phantom V Apple Orchard Liqueur + Soda + Sage leaves
West Virginia Spritz: Prosecco + Eda Rhyne Amaro Flora Herbal Mountain Bitter + Soda + Orange + Thyme sprigs