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Looking for an alternative to the classic Spritz? Discover five easy-to-make sparkling wine cocktails that are perfect for impressing your guests and adding a creative twist to your summer aperitivo.
When people think of a summer cocktail made with sparkling wine, one drink immediately comes to mind: the Spritz. It’s undoubtedly one of the great icons of the Italian aperitivo and remains one of the most frequently ordered cocktails behind the bar. But limiting sparkling wine to a single recipe would mean overlooking one of mixology’s most versatile ingredients. Its freshness, lively acidity and ability to enhance other flavours without overpowering them make it an exceptional cocktail base. Simply changing the sparkling wine, the bitter or the vermouth can completely transform the character of a drink.
To explore the possibilities beyond the Spritz, we spoke with Quality Events and Quality Academy, trusted partners of Gancia, to discover their favourite sparkling wine cocktails and why bubbles deserve a place at the heart of every summer aperitivo.
Why is sparkling wine one of the most versatile ingredients in summer cocktails?
Sparkling wine has one quality that makes it particularly well suited to summer drinking—especially at aperitivo time. It brings freshness and lift while allowing every other ingredient in the glass to shine. Its fine bubbles lighten the texture of a cocktail, enhance its aromas and make every sip feel brighter and more refreshing. That’s why it plays a leading role not only in some of the world’s best-known aperitivo cocktails, but also in lesser-known recipes that deserve to be rediscovered. From a bartender’s perspective, sparkling wine offers another major advantage: exceptional versatility. It can soften the bitterness of an aperitivo bitter, highlight the aromatic complexity of a vermouth or bring balance to fruit-forward ingredients—all without ever dominating the drink.
Five Sparkling Wine Cocktails Recommended by Daniele and Nicola
The Spritz remains one of the undisputed stars of the Italian aperitivo and continues to be a timeless favourite. But it’s far from the only cocktail that showcases the versatility of Gancia sparkling wines. The perfect choice depends on the occasion, the food being served and, of course, the tastes of your guests. That’s exactly what makes sparkling wine such an exciting ingredient in summer mixology—it adapts effortlessly to a wide variety of flavours and styles. If you’re looking for a timeless classic, the Negroni Sbagliato is the obvious place to start. Replacing gin with Gancia Prosecco DOC Brut creates a lighter, more vibrant cocktail while preserving the depth and complexity of Gancia Vermouth and Gancia Bitter. For something fresher and more floral, the Hugo never disappoints. Elderflower liqueur, fresh mint and Gancia Pinot di Pinot Sparkling Wine come together to create a light, aromatic cocktail that’s made for relaxed outdoor aperitivos. If fruit-forward flavours are more your style, the Bellini and Rossini prove that just a handful of carefully chosen ingredients are enough to create elegant cocktails with timeless appeal. To finish on a sweeter note, there’s the Moscato Zen. Made with Gancia Moscato d’Asti DOCG, elderflower liqueur, fresh lime juice, ginger and rosemary, it’s an ideal after-dinner cocktail, especially when paired with vanilla or fruit-based ice cream.
How important is the choice of sparkling wine when creating a great cocktail?
Far more than most people realise. When preparing a Negroni Sbagliato, attention often focuses on the bitter or the vermouth. In reality, the sparkling wine plays an equally important role. It defines the cocktail’s balance, supports its structure and ties all the ingredients together. That’s why choosing a sparkling wine that performs well in mixed drinks is essential. Gancia Prosecco DOC Brut, for example, delivers vibrant freshness, bright acidity and a fine, elegant mousse that enhances the cocktail without overpowering the other ingredients. The same principle applies to every component in the glass. A well-balanced Gancia Vermouth and the refined bitterness of Gancia Bitter work together to create harmonious cocktails where each ingredient contributes to the final result.
What’s your advice for anyone making summer cocktails at home?
Keep it simple. Above all, choose quality ingredients—they’re what truly make the difference in the glass. Many people assume that making a great cocktail requires advanced techniques or a long list of ingredients. In reality, it’s often better to work with just a few carefully selected components and let each one express its full character. That’s also one of the first principles we teach at Quality Academy. Before introducing more advanced recipes, we encourage our students to understand the ingredients they’re working with, discover how different flavours interact and appreciate how even the smallest detail can transform the finished cocktail. With only a handful of well-chosen ingredients, it’s possible to create drinks that delight your guests and turn a simple aperitivo into a genuinely memorable occasion. Ultimately, that’s the philosophy behind modern mixology: it’s not about making cocktails more complicated—it’s about making every ingredient count.
About QUALITY EVENTS & ACADEMY
Quality Events was born from a shared passion for the beverage industry and a clear vision of hospitality: the bar should never be just another service—it should be an experience in its own right. Today, the company designs and delivers bespoke cocktail bars for weddings and events throughout Italy, overseeing every detail—from the creative concept and bar design to the cocktail menu itself. Every event is brought to life by professional bartenders trained at Quality Academy, Gancia’s partner bartender training school, where technical expertise meets hands-on experience to deliver outstanding service with every pour.
www.qualityevents.it