A bit of better bubbles
There’s something about a spritz. Maybe it’s the effervescence. Maybe it’s the fact that it tastes like the love child of a cocktail and the sunset. But whatever the magic is, the spritz is more than just a drink—it’s a lifestyle. A slow-sipping, late-afternoon friends, la dolce far niente (literally, “the sweetness of doing nothing”) kind of lifestyle. And we are very into it.
A Little History (With Bubbles)
The spritz traces its roots to 19th-century northern Italy, when Austrian soldiers stationed in the Veneto region started diluting the local wines with a “spritz” (German for "splash") of water to suit their tastes. The Italians, masters of both bitterness and glamour, took the idea and elevated it.
By the 1920s, bitter aperitifs entered the chat. And from that moment on, the Venetian spritz—sparkling wine, bitter liqueur, a splash of soda—became the pre-dinner ritual. It was light. It was low-proof. It was bubbly and beautiful.
But Not All Spritzes Are Created Equal
Let’s be honest. Some versions of the spritz are...aggressively orange. One could say, suspiciously so. That’s because many mass-market aperitifs rely on artificial coloring and flavoring to create their neon allure. Sure, it looks great in a selfie. But your taste buds? They deserve better. Enter: Aperitivo Classico.
Why Our Spritz is Better (We’re Biased, But Still…)
Our Aperitivo Classico is lovingly infused with:
Rhubarb, for tart brightness
Hibiscus, for a tangy floral punch
Sweet and bitter orange, for layers of citrus complexity
Gentian root, for that classic lightly bitter backbone
It’s never too sweet. Always naturally colored and minimally sweetened (no artificial dyes or corn syrup here, thank you very much). And bursting with real botanicals—not synthetic flavoring. It’s spritzing, reimagined for people who actually care about what’s in their glass.
How to Make the Perfect Vikre Spritz
Here’s your no-fuss guide to making your new favorite cocktail:
The Vikre Spritz
2 oz Vikre Aperitivo Classico
3 oz dry sparkling wine (like prosecco or cava)
1 oz soda water
Orange slice (or a twist) for garnish
Ice, because you’re chill
Directions
Fill a wine glass or a fancy tumbler with ice.
Pour in Vikre Aperitivo Classico.
Add the sparkling wine. Watch it fizz like a celebration.
Top with soda water.
Garnish with orange - or an olive to be more Italian! Take a sip. Feel transported.
Optional: Add a sprig of rosemary or a few fresh strawberries for extra layers of flavor that pair well with the rhubarb, orange, and hibiscus of aperitivo.
From Duluth, With Love (and Bitters)
We know—we’re not Italian. We’re Minnesotan. But our founder has a PhD in flavor (literally), and our mission is to make spirits that are both naturally beautiful and scientifically delicious. Aperitivo Classico is our love letter to the European aperitif tradition, made with the wilderness, water, and wonder of the North.
So whether you’re pairing your spritz with sunshine on a porch or dinner prep in your kitchen, know that you’re drinking something made with care, curiosity, and zero artificial nonsense.
