Venetian Spritz
A BevX Cocktail Recipe
Before Aperol turned the Spritz into a global phenomenon, there was Select — the aperitivo that arguably invented the drink. Created in Venice in 1920, Select Aperitivo is brilliant red with orange highlights and built on bitter orange, rhubarb, and juniper, giving it a spicier, more assertive character than its sweeter, more famous rival.
The Venetian Spritz built around it follows the classic three-part formula — Prosecco, Select, and a splash of soda — finished with a single green olive instead of the usual orange slice, a garnish tradition locals treat as sacred. Order this one in Venice and nobody will ask if you meant to order an Aperol Spritz instead. That’s the whole point.
Ingredients
2 oz. Select
3 oz. Prosecco
1 oz. (or a splash, or a top off) club soda
1 large green olive
Occasion
This is the spritz Venice actually drinks. Reach for it when you want the real thing instead of the export version everyone else settled for — ideal for a long aperitivo hour with nowhere urgent to be.
Method
Build the Venetian Spritz in a wine glass, starting with ice, then Prosecco, Select, and soda water. Garnish with a large green olive.
Variations
There are countless variations of the spritz. This true Venetian style calls for Select but you could use Aperol or even Campari.
Source: Classic