Crafting the Perfect Spritz
Classic Spritz Cocktails Reimagined with Australian Liqueurs & Native Botanicals
Light, refreshing and wonderfully versatile, the Spritz is one of the world's most recognisable aperitif-style cocktails. The familiar combination of a bitter or aromatic liqueur, sparkling wine and soda water makes it particularly well suited to warm Australian afternoons.
At Tamborine Mountain Distillery, we like to take the simple Spritz formula in a distinctly Australian direction.
From native quandong and gentian to Davidson plum, lemon myrtle and Lilly Pilly Gin, our handcrafted spirits and liqueurs open up a world of possibilities beyond the classic Aperol Spritz.
Whether you prefer something bittersweet, citrusy, fruity or floral, here's how to create an Australian Spritz to suit your taste.
What Is a Spritz Cocktail?
A Spritz is a refreshing sparkling cocktail with roots in northern Italy. While there are many variations, a modern Spritz typically combines an aperitif or liqueur, sparkling wine, and soda water, served over plenty of ice.
The Aperol Spritz is perhaps the best-known version today, but the Spritz is much more than a single recipe.
Its simple structure makes it wonderfully adaptable. Change the liqueur or spirit, and you can create an entirely different cocktail while retaining the refreshing character that makes a Spritz so appealing.
What Is the Classic Spritz Ratio?
One of the best-known formulas is the 3-2-1 Spritz ratio:
3 parts prosecco + 2 parts aperitif + 1 part soda water
It is a useful starting point rather than a rule.
Sweeter, stronger or more intensely flavoured liqueurs may work better in different proportions. The secret is finding a balance between flavour, sweetness, bitterness, acidity and effervescence.
Once you understand that balance, creating your own Spritz becomes remarkably easy.
An Australian Twist on the Classic Spritz
For an Australian interpretation, replace the familiar Italian aperitif with flavours inspired by native Australian fruits and botanicals.
One of our favourites is our Quandong & Gentian Bitters Liqueur.
Quandong brings distinctive native fruit character, while gentian contributes the herbal bitterness traditionally associated with many European aperitifs and digestifs. Together, they create a natural starting point for a bittersweet Australian Spritz.
Add chilled prosecco or sparkling wine, soda, and fresh orange, and you have a refreshing cocktail that bridges European aperitif tradition and Australian flavour.
Quandong Dream Spritz
Our Quandong Dream Spritz combines Quandong & Gentian Bitters Liqueur with chilled prosecco and soda water, finished with fresh orange.
The result is sparkling, fruity, and pleasantly bitter — an Australian alternative for anyone who enjoys an Aperol-style Spritz but wants to explore something different.
Citrus Liqueurs for a Refreshing Spritz
Citrus and sparkling wine are natural partners, making citrus liqueurs some of the easiest ingredients to use when creating a Spritz.
Our range includes Limoncello, Orangecello, Pompelmocello, Lime Liqueur and Yuzucello, allowing you to move from familiar lemon and orange flavours to grapefruit, lime or aromatic yuzu.
Limoncello Spritz
The Limoncello Spritz is bright, refreshing and wonderfully simple.
Limoncello brings intense lemon character and sweetness, while sparkling wine provides acidity and bubbles. A splash of soda lightens the cocktail and makes it an ideal warm-weather drink.
► Explore the Limoncello Spritz recipe
Fruit Liqueurs for a Spritz
A Spritz doesn't need to be bitter. Fruit liqueurs can create softer, aromatic cocktails that still retain the refreshing sparkling character of the original.
Passionfruit Spritz
Passionfruit's combination of sweetness, acidity, and tropical aroma makes it particularly suited to sparkling cocktails.
Our Passionfruit Spritz combines Passionfruit Liqueur, prosecco and soda water with fresh passionfruit and mint for a vibrant tropical variation.
► Explore the Passionfruit Spritz recipe
Peach Spritz
Peach brings soft stone-fruit sweetness to sparkling wine.
Our Tamborine Spritz combines Peach Schnapps and Peach Liqueur with sparkling wine and bitters, creating a fruit-forward cocktail with additional aromatic complexity.
► Explore the Tamborine Spritz recipe
Apricot Spritz
Apricot's rich stone-fruit character creates a slightly fuller style of Spritz.
Our Orchard Elegance Spritz pairs Apricot Brandy Liqueur with prosecco, fresh apricot and mint for a beautifully aromatic sparkling cocktail.
► Explore the Orchard Elegance Spritz recipe
Cherry Spritz
For a deeper fruit profile, Cherry Brandy Liqueur can be paired with sparkling rosé rather than traditional prosecco.
Our Cherry Blossom Spritz combines cherry and sparkling rosé with an elegant floral garnish for a richer interpretation of the Spritz.
► Explore the Cherry Blossom Spritz recipe
How to Make a Floral Spritz
Floral liqueurs can transform a simple sparkling cocktail into something wonderfully aromatic.
Our Lavender, Lychee & Elderflower, Musk, Hibiscus, Violetta, and Davidson Plum with Rose & Elderflower Liqueurs can all be used to experiment with different combinations of fruit, flowers, sparkling wine, and fresh garnishes.
The key with floral flavours is balance. You want enough liqueur for its aroma and character to be noticeable without overpowering the sparkling wine.
Simple Floral Spritz Recipe
45 ml floral liqueur
90 ml prosecco or sparkling wine
30 ml soda water
Fill a wine glass with plenty of ice. Add the liqueur, followed by chilled prosecco or sparkling wine and soda water. Stir gently and garnish with fresh herbs, citrus or edible flowers.
Can You Make a Spritz with Gin or Vodka?
Absolutely. A Spritz doesn't have to be based solely on a liqueur or aperitif.
Adding a small measure of gin or vodka creates a stronger, more spirit-forward variation while sparkling wine and soda retain the freshness associated with a Spritz.
Australian botanicals are particularly interesting here.
Lemon Myrtle Vodka Spritz
Lemon myrtle is one of Australia's most distinctive native botanicals, prized for its intense citrus aroma.
Our Myrtle Zest Spritz combines Lemon Myrtle Vodka with chilled sparkling wine, fresh lemon and rosemary for a crisp combination of citrus, botanicals and bubbles.
► Explore the Myrtle Zest Spritz recipe
Lilly Pilly Gin Spritz
Lilly Pilly brings another native Australian dimension to the Spritz.
Our Lilly Pilly Sparkler Spritz combines Lilly Pilly Gin with sparkling rosé, raspberries and a lemon twist, bringing together native fruit, gin botanicals and bright citrus.
► Explore the Lilly Pilly Sparkler Spritz recipe
How to Create Your Own Spritz
Once you understand the basic structure, creating your own Spritz is easy.
Start by choosing the flavour you want to lead the cocktail:
Bittersweet: Try Quandong & Gentian Bitters Liqueur.
Citrus: Try Limoncello, Orangecello, Limecello, Pompelmocello or Yuzucello.
Tropical: Try Passionfruit Liqueur.
Stone fruit: Try Peach Liqueur, Apricot Brandy Liqueur or Cherry Brandy Liqueur.
Floral: Experiment with Lavender, Hibiscus, Violetta or Lychee & Elderflower Liqueur.
Native Australian botanicals: Try Lemon Myrtle Vodka, Lilly Pilly Gin or one of our native fruit liqueurs.
Add chilled sparkling wine, adjust with soda water, and finish with a garnish that complements your chosen flavour.
Most importantly, taste as you go. A Spritz should be refreshing and balanced rather than overwhelmingly sweet or strong.
Discover Your Perfect Australian Spritz
The beauty of the Spritz is its versatility.
A simple combination of liqueur or spirit, sparkling wine, soda, and ice can become bittersweet, citrusy, tropical, floral, or distinctly Australian depending on the ingredients you choose.
At Tamborine Mountain Distillery, our handcrafted liqueurs and spirits make it easy to explore those possibilities — from a native Quandong & Gentian Spritz to Limoncello, passionfruit, peach, lemon myrtle and Lilly Pilly creations.
Experiment at home, discover our Spritz recipes, or visit us on Tamborine Mountain and explore the flavours behind the cocktails.
► Explore our Liqueurs & Spirits
► Visit Tamborine Mountain Distillery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Spritz cocktail?
A Spritz is a sparkling aperitif-style cocktail with roots in northern Italy. Modern versions typically combine an aperitif or liqueur with prosecco or sparkling wine and soda water, served over ice.
What is the 3-2-1 Spritz ratio?
The popular 3-2-1 Spritz formula uses three parts prosecco, two parts aperitif and one part soda water. It is a useful starting point, but the proportions can be adjusted depending on the sweetness and intensity of the liqueur being used.
Is a Spritz always made with Aperol?
No. Aperol is used in the famous Aperol Spritz, but many different aperitifs, bitters and liqueurs can be used to create a Spritz. Fruit, citrus, floral and botanical liqueurs all offer different interpretations of the cocktail.
What is an Australian Spritz?
An Australian Spritz takes the familiar sparkling cocktail format and introduces Australian spirits, fruits or botanicals. Ingredients such as quandong, Davidson plum, lemon myrtle and lilly pilly can create distinctly Australian variations.
Can you make a Spritz with liqueur?
Yes. Liqueurs are particularly well suited to Spritz cocktails because sparkling wine and soda water can balance their sweetness and concentrated flavour. Citrus, passionfruit, peach, apricot and floral liqueurs are all excellent options.
Can you make a Spritz without prosecco?
Yes. Prosecco is commonly used, but other sparkling wines can also work beautifully. Sparkling rosé, for example, pairs particularly well with berry, cherry and floral flavours.
What is the best glass for a Spritz?
A large wine glass is ideal for most Spritz cocktails because it provides plenty of room for ice, sparkling wine, soda and garnish while allowing the cocktail's aromas to develop.
What Australian native flavours work well in a Spritz?
Quandong, Davidson plum, lemon myrtle and lilly pilly can all work beautifully in sparkling cocktails. Their fruit, citrus and botanical characteristics provide an Australian alternative to more traditional European Spritz flavours.
