Organizing networking events can be tricky, but serving wine spritzers can simplify things. These beverages are easy to make and offer a lighter, more versatile way to enjoy wine, which can appeal to a broad range of tastes. Their simplicity and adaptability make them an excellent choice for event organizers looking to encourage mingling and conversations without the complexity of preparing multiple types of drinks.
Wine spritzers, with their customizable options — ranging from different types of wine to various fruit garnishes — also allow guests to enjoy a personalized drink experience that can enhance their social interactions and overall event enjoyment.
Wine spritzers blend wine and a lighter ingredient like sparkling water or soda, often enhanced with fresh fruits, herbs, and other flavorings. They’re perfect for events where people want a sophisticated yet refreshing drink that’s not too heavy. Below we’ll explore eight wine spritzer recipes to make your next networking event a hit. With all of these recipes, you can modify them to suit your specific preferences and so you can use the ingredients you have on hand.
1. Strawberry Rosé Spritzer
Rosé wine, known for its versatility and enchanting flavors, has become super popular for sipping and as a great base for fun cocktails. Its range, from subtle elegance to rich complexity, makes it an ideal choice for whipping up mixed drinks that appeal to all sorts of taste preferences.
The Strawberry Rosé Spritzer is a fusion of chilled rosé that marries the fruity character of rosé with the sweetness of strawberries, creating a refreshing and sophisticated cocktail.
Recipe:
- 1 bottle of chilled dry rosé wine;
- 1 cup of fresh strawberries;
- Sparkling water;
- 2-3 tablespoons of honey, adjusted to taste;
- Juice of 1 lime.
To make the strawberry mix, blend strawberries, honey, and lime juice until smooth, then strain to remove seeds for a smoother texture. To assemble the spritzer, put 4-5 ice cubes in each glass, add 3 tablespoons of the strawberry mix, and pour about 3 ounces of chilled rosé wine over it. Stir gently, then top with sparkling water. Garnish with a strawberry slice or mint sprig for an elegant touch.
For other combinations, try blackberries or raspberries instead of strawberries. You can also swap the honey for agave nectar or sugar syrup and add a splash of elderflower liqueur for an elevated twist.
2. Peach White Wine Spritzer
Peaches’ natural sweetness and aroma perfectly complement white wine, creating a summer-inspired pairing. Specifically, a peach white wine spritzer leverages the sweetness levels of white wine to balance the lush, natural sugars of ripe peaches perfectly.
Many types of white wines pair well with this recipe, from crisp Sauvignon Blanc to elegant Chardonnay. Additionally, adding honey enhances the peachy sweetness, and a hint of cinnamon brings a warming note, making this drink perfect for both summer and fall.
Recipe:
- 1 bottle of chilled white wine (choose a medium-dry white wine);
- 2 ripe peaches, sliced (or substitute with frozen peaches);
- 1/2 ounce of peach schnapps (optional);
- 1 1/2 ounces of club soda.
In a pitcher, combine the sliced peaches (frozen can be used directly, no thawing necessary) with honey, and lightly muddle them to blend the flavors. Then, add peach schnapps and stir. Next, pour in the chilled white wine and club soda, stirring gently. Pour the mixture over ice in glasses. You can also substitute ice cubes with frozen peach slices for an added chill. Add a peach slice or cinnamon stick to each glass for a fun touch.
3. Sparkling Red Wine Spritzer
Sparkling red wine’s vivacity, vibrant carbonation, and depth of flavor offer a captivating base for a standout spritzer. A sparkling red wine spritzer is the perfect balance of carbonation, sweetness, and acidity, catering to various tastes.
Recipe:
- 1 bottle of chilled sparkling red wine;
- 1 cup of mixed fresh or frozen berries;
- Club soda;
- Mint leaves for garnish.
Fill glasses with a handful of berries; you can use frozen ones for an extra cool drink. Pour the chilled sparkling red wine over the berries, filling the glass below the rim. Garnish with a mint leaf or two.
Understanding the importance of tannins in red wine is crucial when crafting this spritzer. Tannins, which contribute to the wine’s structure and complexity, interact intriguingly with the carbonation, enhancing the sensory experience by balancing the spritzer’s effervescence with depth and body.
4. Sangria Spritzer
Sangria masterfully combines the rich flavors of wine with the zestful essence of fruit, creating a beverage that’s not just a drink but an experience. Sangria spritzers are as versatile as they’re delicious and easy to prepare in large batches or tailored for individual servings.
Recipe:
- 1 bottle of fruity red wine;
- 1/4 of cup port;
- 2 cups of orange or cranberry juice;
- Sliced fruits such as oranges and berries;
- 1/2 cup of tonic water;
- Fresh mint.
Combine the red wine, port, and juice in a large pitcher. Add the sliced fruits and let the mixture chill in the refrigerator for the flavors to meld. Before serving, mix in tonic water and pour sangria into glasses with ice. Garnish each with fresh mint and an orange slice.
You can swap red for white wine to make a white sangria spritzer featuring fresh peaches, apples, and citrus.
5. Blackberry Prosecco Spritzer
Prosecco, with its light, bubbly nature, blends sweetness and acidity perfectly, ideal for refreshing cocktails. One example is the blackberry Prosecco spritzer. The light sweetness of prosecco pairs well with the tartness of blackberries, forming a delicious mix of flavors. Great for big gatherings, it’s simple to make in a pitcher with customizable sweetness levels.
Recipe:
- 1 bottle of chilled Prosecco;
- 3 cups fresh blackberries;
- 1/2 cup honey;
- 1 bottle of lemonade;
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges for garnish.
Combine 2 cups of blackberries with honey and water in a saucepan. Heat until boiling, then simmer for 10 minutes to blend flavors and soften berries. Strain the mixture through a sieve, press to extract liquid, and discard solids. Cool the syrup for 10 minutes, then mix with lemonade in a pitcher and chill.
When ready to serve, fill the glass halfway up with blackberry lemonade, then top it with chilled Prosecco. Garnish with whole blackberries and a lemon wedge. You can serve this drink with ice cubes, or substitute frozen blackberries for a stronger flavor.
6. Mango Moscato Spritzer
A Moscato spritzer can be a winning drink choice for a networking event as it adds a tropical and playful twist to the classic spritzer. The sweetness of Moscato wine pairs well with mango’s ripe and juicy flavors, creating a refreshing drink perfect for the summer. For the perfect mango Moscato spritzer, follow this recipe:
Recipe:
- 1 bottle of chilled white wine or rosé;
- 1 large mango, cut into chunks (or an equivalent amount of frozen mango);
- 6 ounces of sparkling water.
Make a smooth mango puree, then pour it over ice in glasses. Next, pour about 5 ounces of chilled wine over the mango puree in each glass and top up each glass with sparkling water for a fizzy touch. Add lime juice, stir gently, garnish with mint leaves.
If you’re looking for alternatives to moscato, various sweet wines, such as White Zinfandel or Riesling, work well.
7. Cucumber Sauvignon Blanc Spritzer
Sauvignon Blanc is known for its crisp and vibrant acidity. Celebrate the refreshing qualities by pairing it with cool cucumbers, elevating the humble vegetable to a surprising level of sophistication. Serve your networking guests this cucumber Sauvignon Blanc spritzer to impress and quench their thirst.
Recipe:
- 2 cups of dry white wine;
- 1 cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced;
- A handful of fresh mint leaves;
- Juice of 1 lime;
- 4 teaspoons of orange liqueur (like homemade blood orangecello or limoncello);
- Fizzy water of choice for topping up.
Combine white wine, thinly sliced cucumber, and orange liqueur in a pitcher to make the base. Let this mixture infuse for at least an hour, or up to eight hours if you’re preparing ahead, to blend the flavors. When ready to prepare your glass for the spritzer, add two to four ounces of the sangria base — excluding the cucumber slices used for infusion — into a glass filled with large ice cubes or 10-15 frozen grapes.
To assemble the spritzer, add cucumber slices from the sangria base to the glass. Then, pour over chilled Sauvignon Blanc and top it up with fizzy water. For an extra zing, add a splash of lime juice. Garnish each glass with a fresh cucumber slice or a mint leaf, and for an additional boost of flavor and a playful fizz, consider adding a splash of cucumber or lime-flavored sparkling water.
8. Pineapple Chardonnay Spritzer
Chardonnay, known for its buttery richness and fruit-forward taste, is perfect for various flavor experiments. Its ability to pair well with the tropical sweetness of pineapple makes for a spritzer that feels like a mini-vacation in a glass. This is perfect for attendees dreaming of a getaway while networking at the event. To make this pineapple Chardonnay spritzer, follow these simple steps:
Recipe:
- 2 cups of white wine;
- 1 cup of lemon-lime-flavored carbonated beverage;
- 1 cup of pineapple juice;
- 1 cup of fresh pineapple chunks, chopped.
Start placing the chopped pineapple chunks at the bottom in a large pitcher. Then, pour the white wine, lemon-lime beverage, and pineapple juice over the chunks. Gently stir to combine the flavors. When ready to serve, pour the cocktail into glasses and garnish with mint or basil leaves for a refreshing aroma.
Knowing the flavors and characteristics of different wines can help you create unique and delicious spritzers that will wow your guests. With these recipes and a little wine knowledge, your event is sure to be a success.
