Elderflower Rosé Wine Spritzer

This Elderflower Rosé Wine Spritzer is exactly what you want when you’re looking for something refreshing and crisp! Made with St. Germain, rosé wine, and sparkling water, It’s the perfect sipper for when the temperatures increase in spring and summer.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Light and refreshing – Rosé is known for being crisp and light and when you add bubbles, it becomes even more refreshing!

Works for so many occasions – From summer to Valentine’s Day to a brunch cocktail for Mother’s Day, this drink can be served year-round!

Simple and no mixology skills needed – With just three ingredients that are mixed right in the glass, you don’t need skills or equipment for an Elderflower Rosé Wine Spritzer.

Spritzer vs. Spritz – What’s the Difference?

Many times “spritzer” and “spritz” are used interchangeably. Really it comes down to the ratio of the ingredients and what type of wine you want to use.

A “spritz” is traditionally an Italian aperitif – the most classic example being the Aperol Spritz. They are usually made with a 3-2-1 ratio  – 3 ounces prosecco (Italian sparkling wine), 2 ounces of aperitif or liqueur, and 1 ounce of sparkling water. This formula is also used in the Hugo Spritz as well as my Sweet Vermouth Spritz.

Spritzers, on the other hand, are typically made with still wine and sparkling water. As a WSET Spirits student, I couldn’t find an “official” ratio in my research. I find that a 3:2 ratio works best for my tastes – 3 ounces of wine to 2 ounces of sparkling water. But you can certainly adjust the ratio to your tastes.

This Elderflower Rosé Wine Spritzer is technically a hybrid of the two types of bubbly drinks. It uses sparkling water and St. Germain elderflower liqueur as an aperitif, but it uses a still rosé wine instead of a sparkling wine. I used the 3-2-1 ratio of the spritz but used different ingredients and measurements.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Rosé wine – Look for a wine that is described as crisp and fruity. For a spritzer, we use still (non-bubbly), but if you want to make this more like a spritz, go for a prosecco rosé for a little more fizz. 

Sparkling water – Soda water, sparkling water, or something like sparkling lemonade all work for this recipe. You can also try some flavored sparkling water. Some people also like to use lemon-lime soda. I think something like the La Croix Limoncello bubbly water would be perfect – it’s what I use when I make a Limoncello Spritz.

Elderflower liqueur – There are a few brands to choose from out there, but in my opinion, St. Germain can’t be beat. St. Elder would be my next choice. If you want to just use a syrup instead of a liqueur, try making some Elderflower Syrup in the same amount.

Garnishes – These are optional but really fun! To go with the elderflower theme, I like to use edible flowers. You can find these in the fresh herb section of Whole Foods. I also used some lemon slices for a pop of citrus.

Expert Tips & Variations

Try different herbs for garnish – a bit of rosemary or mint would work wonderfully. The Hugo Spritz has a similar flavor profile with elderflower coupled with fresh, muddled mint leaves. 

Increase the strength of the drink, by adding a touch of vodka or gin. My Berry Gin Spritz has a good ratio to do this.

Add some frozen berries for a sangria vibe. You can also make fruit ice by freezing water with fruit and use that in the drink. I used a rose ice mold for a little extra fun!

Make a Batch for a Crowd

This cocktail is so easy to batch and is a real crowd-pleaser. I provided measurements in the notes section of the recipe card below for serving a crowd. 

You can prep a day or two ahead by combining the rosé and the elderflower liqueur in a large pitcher. Refrigerate until needed and only top with the sparkling water right before you’re ready to serve so it doesn’t go flat.