Tonic Spritz Recipes

This simple variation gets a one-two punch of bitter quinine from both tonic and Lillet Blanc. A fortified white wine-based apéritif made outside Bordeaux, Lillet (pronounced lee-LAY) is golden hued, citrus forward and has been clinking around bars since 1872. Since all the ingredients in the cocktail (Lillet, bubbles, tonic) skew somewhat sweet - in spite of quinine's bitter notes - make sure to seek out both dry tonic and dry sparkling wine to avoid crossing over to saccharine. If you don't have access to dry tonic, you can also use equal parts tonic and club soda.

Provided by Rebekah Peppler

Categories     cocktails

Yield 1 cocktail

Number Of Ingredients 4

• Ingredients

Think of this as a grown-up, but not too grown-up, spritz. Here, grapefruit brightens and plays up the wine's light bitterness, while buttery green olives add a touch of earthy brine and serve as a welcome snack. Reach for a lighter, sweeter, more citrus-leaning amaro, to avoid masking the bubble's nuance. For Lambrusco, seek dry or off-dry bottles, and commit to tasting a few until you find what you like. Two to start with: Lambrusco di Sorbara, which is the lightest in color and flavor, with high acidity and plenty of aromatics, and Lambrusco Grasparossa, which is dark in color and bold in flavor with dry tannins and rich berry notes.

Provided by Rebekah Peppler

Categories     cocktails

Yield 1 drink

Number Of Ingredients 7

• Ingredients