White Wine Spritzer With Grapefruit

Author Notes

Fact: Summer time is spritzer time (I don’t make the rules, but I’ll happily follow this one). A crisp, low-ABV beverage is the ideal refresher for when it’s hot and sweaty—a drink that transcends the heat and provides a bubbly oasis. It’s the perfect way to cheers friends, usher in the weekend, or kick back and relax, no matter where you are. Plus, with many iterations, it can pair with just about any meal or snack situation.

This spritz should serve as a guideline, a base recipe if you will, to create your own spritz journey (now that is a rule I *did* make). A few ideas to get you started: swapping the club soda for lemon-lime seltzer, then pairing that with a sprig of woodsy thyme; or going with a coconut seltzer and finishing with a fresh squeeze of lime to get a more tropical flavor profile. My personal favorite, ultra-simple iteration is below: fresh grapefruit. Even though we’re past peak citrus time (see you next year, winter!), there’s something about the partnership of carbonation and zesty, juicy grapefruit that’s really appealing to me. Maybe it’s because I’m a millennial who has enjoyed many Pamplemousse LaCroixs during the summer months, or maybe it’s the hit of slightly bitter acidity that complements a buttery white wine really nicely. A good “rule” when pairing: If you’re choosing a less-dry wine, like a chardonnay, a citrus or something else with a bitter element—like, well, bitters—will help balance the drink and keep it from feeling too one-note. —Emily Ziemski

Test Kitchen Notes

This recipe is a part of Wine Week—seven days celebrating all things wine—presented in partnership by our friends at Bread & Butter Wines. —Food52