Lambrusco Spritz: The Sparkling Red Wine Cocktail Worth Making

Most spritzes are a summer drink. The Lambrusco spritz is not.

Because it's built on sparkling red wine rather than white or rosé, it carries the dark fruit and earthy depth of a red wine into the spritz format. That makes it as comfortable in October as it is in July. Better, arguably. The warm berry flavors and the amaro bitterness are a better fit for a fall dinner party or a holiday gathering than for a poolside afternoon.

That said: it works all year. The spritz format keeps it light and carbonated. The Lambrusco keeps it interesting.

What Is Lambrusco?

Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine from Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy, the same region that produces Parmigiano-Reggiano, prosciutto di Parma, and Aceto Balsamico di Modena. It's been made there for centuries and consumed there without much fanfare. A table wine in the best sense: everyday, food-friendly, unpretentious.

The flavor ranges by style. Dry Lambrusco (secco) is tart, mineral, and berry-forward with light tannins. Semi-dry (amabile) is softer and slightly sweeter. Sweet Lambrusco (dolce) leans toward dessert territory. For a spritz, dry or semi-dry is the right call. The grapes behind it include Lambrusco Grasparossa, Lambrusco Sorbara, and Lambrusco Salamino, each slightly different in character, but all good for a spritz.

The ABV runs low, typically between 8% and 11%, which makes it a natural choice for longer occasions.

The Classic Lambrusco Spritz Recipe

The standard build uses Amaro as the bitter component rather than Aperol. Amaro, the broad category of Italian herbal liqueurs, has the depth and earthiness to match Lambrusco's dark fruit character. Aperol works in a pinch but feels light against the wine. Campari is a stronger substitute for people who want more bitterness.

The most versatile choice is Amaro Nonino, which brings allspice, orange peel, and herbal depth. Campari is the most common. Any amaro you enjoy on its own will work here.

What you need:

4 oz Lambrusco (secco or amabile)
0.75 oz Amaro (Nonino, Campari, or your choice)
0.5 oz fresh orange or grapefruit juice
Splash of sparkling water
Ice
Garnish: orange slice, grapefruit wedge, or olives on a skewer

How to make it:

Fill a large wine glass with ice. Add the amaro and citrus juice first and stir briefly. Pour in the Lambrusco, then top with a small splash of sparkling water. One gentle stir. Garnish.

Adding the amaro and juice first distributes them evenly before the wine goes in. The Lambrusco is already sparkling, so you don't need much additional carbonation, a small splash of sparkling water is enough to freshen it.

On glassware: A large wine glass or balloon glass both work. The color is the visual payoff here, deep ruby or garnet over ice, so clear glass is worth it.

How Lambrusco Differs from a Standard Spritz

The Aperol spritz and its relatives are built around still wines made sparkling by the fizz you add. Lambrusco inverts this. The carbonation is native to the wine, which gives the spritz a different texture: finer, more integrated bubbles rather than the aggressive fizz of prosecco.

It's also red, which is unusual in the spritz category. Most spritzes skew light gold or orange. A Lambrusco spritz comes out deep ruby or garnet depending on the style, which stands out on a table and tends to prompt questions.

Flavor-wise, Lambrusco sits closer to a light red wine than to a white wine spritz. There's some tannin, some earthiness, and a berry character that doesn't show up in Aperol or Italicus-based drinks. If you've been working through the spritz category and want something that feels like a different direction, this is it.

Lambrusco Spritz Variations

Fall Version: Swap the orange juice for apple juice and use Amaro Nonino. Add a cinnamon stick as a garnish. The warm spice in the Nonino and the apple juice pull the drink toward autumn in a way that works well before a heavier meal.

Holiday Version: Use blood orange juice instead of regular orange and add a few frozen cranberries as garnish. The deep red tones of the Lambrusco and cranberry against ice look festive without trying too hard.

Savory Olive Oil Build: Add a drizzle of quality olive oil on top of the finished drink and garnish with olives on a skewer. Sounds unusual. The olive oil creates a silky texture on the first sip and the salt from the olives ties together the bitter amaro and the fruity Lambrusco. A well-known variation among Italian spritz enthusiasts.

Aperol Version: Substitute Aperol for the Amaro for a lighter, sweeter, more citrus-forward result. Less complex than the Amaro version but easier for guests who aren't familiar with amaro.

A Zero-Proof Lambrusco Spritz with Jo's Tonic

Replicating sparkling red wine without the alcohol is harder than replicating an aperitivo-style drink, because the tannins, dark fruit, and minerality that make Lambrusco interesting all come from the wine itself.

The approach is to build around those flavors rather than copy them exactly.

Jo's Original Tonic Concentrate is botanical and slightly bitter, providing the amaro-like backbone. Jo's Orange Fennel Tonic works well here too, fennel and dark fruit is a classic Italian pairing, and the orange echoes the citrus-tart note that Lambrusco carries naturally.

Zero-Proof Lambrusco-Style Spritz:

1 oz Jo's Original Tonic Concentrate (or Orange Fennel Tonic)
1 oz unsweetened pomegranate juice
Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
4 oz sparkling water
Ice
Garnish: orange slice or fresh blackberries

Build over ice. Add Jo's, then pomegranate juice, then the lemon squeeze, then sparkling water. One stir. Garnish.

The pomegranate brings dark fruit and tartness. The lemon keeps it from reading as juice. Jo's provides the bitter botanical edge that makes it feel like a proper drink rather than a mocktail. The color comes out deep red, close to what you'd get from the wine.

For more zero-proof spritz options built around Jo's, see our non-alcoholic Aperol spritz, Cappelletti spritz, and Hugo spritz posts. Or browse the full Jo's Tonics collection.

Serving Lambrusco for a Group

Lambrusco is one of the more practical hosting wines because it's affordable, crowd-pleasing, and works across a wide range of food. A good bottle runs $15-25. You don't need to spend more.

For a group setup, chill two or three bottles and set out a bottle of amaro, fresh citrus, and sparkling water. Let people build their own and adjust the bitterness to taste. It's low-effort hosting that still feels considered.

Lambrusco also pairs well with food in a way that most spritzes don't. The light tannins and acidity cut through fatty and salty dishes. Serve it alongside charcuterie, aged cheeses, or anything with prosciutto and it earns its place at the table. Emilia-Romagna built some of Italy's richest food, and Lambrusco evolved alongside it.

For more on building a drink setup for hosting, see our Tonic, Spritz and Botanical Drinks hub.

FAQ

What does a Lambrusco spritz taste like?

A Lambrusco spritz is fruity, lightly tart, and slightly tannic, with dark berry and mineral notes from the wine and herbal bitterness from the amaro. It's more complex and less sweet than an Aperol spritz, and the red wine base gives it a depth that white wine spritzes don't have.

What kind of Lambrusco should I use for a spritz?

Dry (secco) or semi-dry (amabile) Lambrusco works best. Avoid fully sweet (dolce) styles, which can make the drink too sugary. Lambrusco di Sorbara and Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro are both reliable choices.

What amaro should I use in a Lambrusco spritz?

Amaro Nonino works well for a warmer, spiced flavor. Campari is the most common and most accessible. Any amaro you enjoy on its own will translate well here. Aperol works as a lighter, sweeter substitute if amaro isn't available.

Is a Lambrusco spritz only for summer?

No, and that's one of the things that makes it worth knowing. The sparkling red wine base gives it a depth and warmth that works well into fall and winter. It's a strong choice for holiday gatherings and fall dinner parties where a white wine spritz would feel out of place.

Is Lambrusco low in alcohol?

Yes. Most Lambrusco runs between 8% and 11% ABV, lower than most still wines. The finished spritz with a small pour of amaro and a splash of sparkling water stays in the 8-10% range, making it a good choice for longer occasions.