Make Spritz Your Next Summer Sip: Aperol, Campari, & Select

When I traveled to Italy, I couldn’t help but notice big wine glasses filled with a bright orange cocktail nearly everywhere I went. My mouth watered as I saw people enjoying those refreshing, chilled glasses on a hot September day. Naturally, I had to try one for myself.

Caitlin at a cafe in Rome with an aperol spritz — Enjoying an Aperol Spritz at a sidewalk cafe in Rome.

I soon learned that the concoction was referred to as an Aperol Spritz.

Since that time, Aperol Spritz has seemingly become more common in the US, but what many don’t know is that there are a few varieties of Spritz native to Italy. Aperol is by far the most common, and, in my opinion, the easiest to drink no matter the time of day. It is cold, refreshing, bubbly, and slightly sweet, which makes it perfect for a hot afternoon. It is sometimes served with fresh fruit, too.

Sliced oranges on a cutting board — Citrus for the Spritz.

Two glasses with orange aperol spritz inside — Aperol Spritz on a hot afternoon.

Cute dog sniffing the aperol spritz — Oakley was curious about the Spritz.

Campari Spritz is the more mature sibling of the Aperol Spritz.

You may recognize Campari from some of your favorite cocktails such as the Negroni or Americano. Campari Spritz takes on a beautiful ruby red color. While it shares some of the same ingredients as Aperol Spritz, it sets itself apart with an almost-spicy essence, which is more savory in flavor, rather than sweet. You’ll see a Campari Spritz served with green olives, similar to a martini.

Red campari spritz inside glasses — Ruby red Campari Spritz cocktails.

The lesser known of the Spritz varieties is the Spritz Select, which can only be found in Venice, Italy.

Apertivo Select, the liqueur used to make Spritz Select, was first produced on the Venetian island of Murano in 1920. To this day, it is very difficult to source outside of Venice (trust me, I tried!). When I first tried Spritz Select in Venice, it was described to me as a perfect balance between Aperol Spritz and Campari Spritz. I couldn’t agree more. It takes on the sweetness of the Aperol, but is balanced by the unique, herby flavor of the Campari. Add some bubbly Prosecco to your Apertivo Select and you have my favorite Italian cocktail.