Italicus Spritz Cocktail with Prosecco

Craving something fresh and bubbly? Say hello to the Italicus Spritz! This easy, breezy cocktail blends aromatic Italicus, famous for its bergamot and floral notes, with zesty lemon and bubbly prosecco for a sip that’s as refreshing as it is simple. It’s like a little Italian getaway in your glass!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s Italy in a glass: The Italicus Spritz isn’t just any cocktail; it’s a sip of Italian elegance. It’s a cocktail that has a refined and elegant taste that’s perfect for those who want to elevate their typical happy hour or taste a sip of Italy. 

Refreshing: This cocktail is the definition of refreshment. The combination of lemon juice, prosecco, and soda water gives a zesty, rejuvenating quality that makes it ideal for sipping on warm days or as an aperitivo (Italian aperitif) before a meal.

Simple: You don’t need to be a mixologist to whip up this cocktail. With just a few ingredients and no fancy techniques or equipment required, this Italicus Spritz is delightfully simple to make, whether you’re mixing a single glass or a big batch pitcher for friends.

What is Italicus?

In 2016, Giuseppe Gallo introduced Italicus, specifically known as Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto. It comes in a beautiful bottle and combines bergamot with a blend of other botanicals like chamomile, lavender, gentian, yellow roses, and Melissa balm to create a complex, floral, and lightly citrusy flavor profile. It’s typically enjoyed as an aperitif and has gained popularity for its versatility in cocktails.

Its key ingredient, Calabrian bergamot, is a fragrant citrus fruit known for its essential role in Earl Grey tea. Calabria is renowned for its fragrant bergamot oranges and spicy chili peppers. It is situated at the ‘toe’ of Italy’s boot-shaped peninsula. It just so happens to be one of the regions where my grandmother’s family trace their roots and receive the surname, Calabrese —a small but significant part of my family’s story.

Italicus is considered a rosolio, which is an old category of Italian liqueurs that were once popular among the Italian aristocracy. It was a drink of kings if you will. The name “rosolio” is derived from the Latin “ros solis,” meaning “sun dew” or “morning dew”. Rosolio faded in popularity with the rise of vermouth and amaro but has seen a resurgence with products like Italicus.

Italicus makes for the perfect Italian spritz. Spritzes are typically served in Italy as an aperitivo or before-dinner drink, meant to stimulate the appetite. Two of the most notable spritzes are the Aperol Spritz and Limoncello Spritz. A classic spritz is a wine-based cocktail, typically made using a 3-2-1 ratio. This means 3 parts prosecco (Italian sparkling white wine), 2 parts liqueur, and 1 part soda water. 

Ingredient Notes

Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto: This key ingredient is this fragrant bergamot liqueur that gives the cocktail its unique and distinctive flavor. I haven’t seen it widely available in many stores yet, but I was able to find a bottle of Italicus at my local Total Wine. 

Lemon juice: In this cocktail, freshly squeezed juice is a must for the best taste. 

Prosecco: Opt for a dry prosecco to introduce a light effervescence and a hint of sweetness, complementing the cocktail’s flavors without overpowering them.

Soda water: Just a dash of soda water is all you need. You can use seltzer, club soda, sparkling mineral water – whatever you prefer. 

Green olives and/or lemon slice: Choose either for garnishing – green olives for a savory touch and/or a lemon slice to enhance the citrus notes. You could also use orange slices if you prefer. 

Step 1: Add the Italicus and lemon juice to a large wine glass filled with ice cubes. (I used one of my favorite spritz glasses from Viski.)

Step 2: Top with prosecco and soda water. 

Step 3: Garnish with a lemon slice and/or a cocktail skewer of green olives. 

Expert Tips and Variations

If you like your cocktail sweeter, add a bit of simple syrup – my Earl Grey simple syrup would go wonderfully given the syrup’s bergamot flavor. 

​For a more tart or sour cocktail, increase the amount of lemon juice. 

Try a different sparkling wine if you’re feeling adventurous. Simply swap out the prosecco for champagne or sparkling rosé. It can add a slight twist to the flavors. 

For more citrus flavor, try adding a splash of high-quality triple sec like Cointreau. Alternatively, a bit of grapefruit juice would blend very well in an Italicus Spritz. 

For more complex aroma, try adding herbs like rosemary or thyme these would beautifully complement the floral notes of Italicus. 

For a stronger drink, add a bit of vodka or gin to the mix. Teasmith gin, known for its Ceylon tea base, pairs wonderfully with Italicus, given its flavor notes that are similar to Earl Grey tea. If you love the flavor of bergamot, be sure to check out my Earl Grey Gin Martini, where I also use Teasmith gin. 

What is the flavor of Italicus?

Italicus has a unique and refreshing flavor profile. It’s known for its bright and aromatic bergamot and citron notes, which are balanced with a subtle floral sweetness. The taste is a delightful blend of sweet and citrusy, making it an excellent choice for many cocktails. If you love a floral cocktail, make sure to also check out my French Blonde Cocktail.

What is the difference between an Aperol Spritz and Italicus Spritz?

The main difference lies in the flavor. An Aperol Spritz has a distinct bitter orange and herbal taste, thanks to its key ingredient, Aperol. On the other hand, an Italicus Spritz is more floral and citrusy. What they do have in common is that they are refreshing; however, they offer different sensory experiences.

Can I make a big batch of Italicus Spritzes?

Absolutely! This drink is perfect for batching. Simply multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need. Keep the ratio consistent to maintain the balance of flavors. I’ve included the measurements for making 8 servings in the notes section of the recipe card below to make things a bit easier for you. 

Can I make a batch in advance of when I need it?

You can batch at least some of the Italicus Spritz in advance. Simply, mix the Italicus and lemon juice ahead and refrigerate up to one day in advance, then top with chilled prosecco and soda water when you’re ready to serve. This ensures the spritz remains bubbly and fresh.