A balmy summers day in the UK will guarantee two things: wasps and gin globes filled with bright orange Aperol Spritz flooding Instagram feeds across the nation.
With Aperol hype at its peak, other brands are rushing to gain share by launching their own aperitifs and sharing their version of the perfect spritz. Here are six that caught our eye
Graham’s Blend No.5
Launched: May 2019
A tipple of choice in its native land of Portugal, white port is now beginning to pop up in trendy UK cocktail bars. Graham’s is hoping to bring white port to the mainstream with the launch of Blend No.5 (rsp: £24.99/75cl). The brand suggests creating a refreshing long drink by pairing the premium port with tonic. Available online and from Harvey Nichols.
Sacred Rosehip Cup
Launched: April 2019
Combining the punchy flavours of rosehip, rhubarb and ginger with sweet Spanish orange, this is the London gin producer’s ‘refreshing and sophisticated’ alternative to traditional fruit cups. Sacred recommends mixing the aperitif (rsp: £24.95/75cl) with soda, sparkling wine and a slice of orange to create its signature Rosehip Spritz.
Sipsmith Orange & Cacao Gin
Launched: May 2019
Described as ‘zesty, chocolatey and unmistakably junipery’, this bittersweet addition to Sipsmith’s range (rsp: £25/50cl) contains cocoa nibs, Seville orange peel and orange blossom. As a variation on the classic serve with tonic, the gin can be topped with soda water and Prosecco to create an Orange & Cacao Spritz, says the brand.
Beviamo
Launched: May 2019
With multiple elements to combine, a spritz cocktail isn’t the easiest proposition for a drink on the go. But Global Brands aims to make it simple with Beviamo, an RTD canned cocktail brand that launched into Sainsbury’s in May (rsp: £1.75/250ml). Combining bitter orange liqueur, Italian wine and soda, it promises a spritz experience that is both authentic and convenient.
Martini Fiero
Launched: April 2019
Also capitalising on Britain’s penchant for the bitter orange spritz is Martini, which added this botanical-infused vermouth at the beginning of summer. Deep red in colour, Martini Fiero (rsp: £12/75cl) is a combination of zesty orange and crisp white wines, designed to be paired 50:50 with tonic water.
Cranes Cranberry & Blood Orange Liqueur
Launched: October 2016
Although first launched to independents back in 2016, this handcrafted liqueur (rsp: £19.95/50cl) from Cambridge spirits company Cranes will gain its first major listing next month, when it lands on Ocado. The brand recommends adding the tipple to Prosecco to create a Cranbellini, or combining it with soda and sparkling wine for a refreshing Cranes Spritz.
No comments yet