Bitter Lemon Spritz

There’s nothing more satisfying than an amaro spritz at 5 p.m. on a warm summer evening. A cross between a beer cocktail and a spritz, this drink combines amaro with freshly squeezed lemon juice and an American-style lager like Miller High Life. The result is a balanced bittersweet, tart, and fizzy cocktail. To go a step further, channel Italian aperitivo hour vibes and serve this drink in a large goblet or wine glass with plenty of ice and a straw for easy sipping. Made with just three ingredients, the Bitter Lemon Spritz comes together in seconds and is sure to please. 

Amaro, a bittersweet Italian liqueur made by infusing grape brandy with various herbs, citrus peels, and other aromatic ingredients, gives this cocktail its depth and complexity. After the brandy infuses with flavorings, it gets sweetened, which gives amaro the ability to age for a long time. While amaro is delicious on its own or poured over ice, it also pairs well in cocktails with a variety of flavor profiles. But because each amaro is composed of unique ingredients, choosing which amaro you use in a cocktail is key. 

The Bitter Lemon Spritz leans on Averna, which is a richer, sweeter style of amaro that has been produced in Sicily for nearly 150 years. Compared to less sweet, more herbaceous amaros, like Fernet Branca or Cynar, Averna pairs well with the slight bitterness of the lager. Averna has a silky texture that gives this drink a surprisingly luxurious mouthfeel for a spritz, a typically lighter style of cocktail. 

While the classic Italian aperitivo spritz is made with prosecco or another sparkling wine, American-style lager brings an interesting dimension to this drink. Light lagers like Miller High Life have a gently bready and savory bitterness, which helps create depth. While lager is a versatile ingredient in cocktails, it lacks the brightness and acidity of sparkling wine, so adding a hefty squeeze of lemon to this drink is crucial to achieving balance. Finish the cocktail with a lemon peel for a hit of aromatic freshness.