Meletti Spritz

The best cocktails for entertaining are ones that leave the host stress-free. This simple Italian spritz is one best served as a station: Set up a self-serve bar at your next gathering and let guests mix their own cocktails — the Meletti Spritz is only four ingredients and doesn’t require any shaking.

Bittersweet with a rich, herbaceous aroma this spritz gets its flavor from Meletti, an Italian amaro from the eastern region of Le Marche. The Meletti family has been making their namesake amaro since 1870. They source ingredients indigenous to the Le Marche and use a slow extraction (like the one you'd use to make cold brew) to highlight the fresh notes of the herbs and spices. Its flavor recalls orange peels, cloves, and even a touch of coffee.

2021 F&W Best New Chef Fermín Núñez blends Meletti amaro with Prosecco and club soda in this simple spritz. He adds a few dashes of orange bitters to amplify the citrus notes in the amaro, and tops everything off with a stunning blood orange.

Why the Meletti Spritz works

The simple 1-2-3 ratio of soda water, amaro, and Prosecco is the key to this spritz. Not only is the recipe easy to remember, the flavors blend harmoniously and compliment one another. Meletti is a more neutrally flavored amaro when it comes to sweetness — it is less bitter than Cynar, but not as sweet as Averna.

The Prosecco adds fruitiness and some body, the club soda lightens everything up, and the orange bitters balance everything out. The result is a refreshing, lightly bubbly drink with notes of warm spices and caramel.