Whether you’re growing your own ingredients or sourcing locally from nearby gardens, creating a garden-fresh spritz is not only easy but also a delightful way to celebrate the flavors of summer and bring friends together.
Prepare for a Garden-Fresh Spritz Party in the Summer
As the sun beats down on long summer days, there’s no better way to cool off and connect with friends than by sipping a refreshing spritz. But why settle for store-bought ingredients when your garden offers a bounty of fresh, seasonal produce perfect for spritz-making? We planned a party with some of our closest friends at the Monterey Street Park in the Northside neighborhood here in Pittsburgh, featuring homemade ingredients and cocktail recipes created by local mixologists Cameron Kasraie at Con Alma and Spencer Warren from The Warren.
Using Local, Fresh Ingredients for Your Sprtiz
Summer is the season for fresh fruits, herbs, and flowers, and they’re all within reach when you tap into your local neighborhood gardens. Pittsburgh certainly has plenty of gardens to choose from to set the scene. With a little creativity, you can make a delicious, refreshing spritz that celebrates what’s growing around you. The best part? You don’t need to be a seasoned mixologist to pull it off — spritzes are among the simplest drinks to craft. As stated by Cameron, “With lower alcohol drinks, it’s easier to pair flavors together and make a drink taste good.” Even beginners can make them with ease.
A Drink to Gather People Together
One of the best things about garden-fresh spritzes is their ability to bring people together. They’re incredibly easy to make, meaning you can spend less time mixing drinks and more time enjoying the company of your guests. Making spritzes with locally-grown ingredients is a great way to support your neighborhood garden network and embrace the seasonal flavors that are so abundant during the summer months. Plus, sharing a drink made with fresh, hand-picked produce feels especially satisfying — a little slice of the season, served in a glass.
Creating a Sense of Community
Perhaps one of the most delightful aspects of using garden-grown ingredients for your spritzes is the opportunity to connect with your neighbors. Many local communities have garden programs or neighborhood co-ops where you share homegrown produce. If you don’t have a garden of your own, this can be a fun way to gather fresh ingredients while also supporting others in your area. And don’t forget Pittsburgh’s many farmers’ markets!
Making Your Garden-Fresh Spritz
The beauty of a spritz is its versatility — whether you’re crafting a watermelon spritz or an herb infusion, the formula is the same. “I wanted to make cocktails that were easily accessible to people that don’t have ingredients that have to be specially ordered,” Cameron shared. “The biggest thing in making something at home is the general template of the ingredients rather than the recipes themselves. They’re a simple fixing of gin, herbs, and club soda. But once you get comfortable, you can move forward with more complex flavors and ingredients.”
Have Fun With Your Spritz
The spritz is more than just a cocktail; it’s a celebration of light, bubbly, and refreshing flavors. Traditionally made with fruit, herbs, sugar, and soda water or Prosecco, the spritz has evolved into a dynamic and versatile category of cocktails. Spritzes have even veered into cocktail territory with gin, vodka, or tequila. This collection of recipes elevates the classic spritz concept with infused spirits, botanical elements, and adventurous flavor pairings. Join us on our exploration of spritz cocktails that embrace all liquors, crafting an effervescent experience that delights the senses.
Here’s a Simple Method to Get Your Spritzes Started:
- Prepare the fruit: Start by muddling fresh fruit in the bottom of a glass or cocktail shaker. For example, chop up watermelon or mash blackberries to release their juice.
- Add fresh herbs: Toss in your chosen herbs (a few sprigs of mint or basil work beautifully). Gently muddle the herbs to release their fragrance and oils.
- Sweeten (optional): If you prefer a sweeter drink, add a touch of simple syrup or honey to taste. Fresh fruit usually adds plenty of natural sweetness, so don’t overdo it.
- Measure out the spirits: Boozy versions of a spritz add flavor with Aperol, vermouth, amari, Luxardo, St. Elder, and other delicious (and sometimes colorful) bottles. Some even add a hit of liquors like gin, tequila, or vodka.
- Add ice and sparkles: Now fill the glass with ice, then top off your concoction with sparkling water or club soda. Some spritzes go with sparkling wine or Prosecco for an extra pop.
- Garnish and enjoy: Garnish your spritz with slices of fresh fruit, a sprig of herb, as well as a few edible flowers. Stir gently and enjoy your garden-fresh creation with friends.
Click here for a fantastic list of spritz recipes to try at your next summer gathering!
Story by Lindsay Anne Herring
Production and Styling by Camden Leeds
Photography by Joey Kennedy
Linens by Party Mosaic
Drinks by Spencer Warren, The Warren, and Cameron Kasraie, Con Alma
Subscribe to TABLE Magazine‘s print edition.
