Why sparkling rosé spritz is the must-try drink of summer

We chatted with Kate McGraw, Bar Manager at Isabel Bondi to discover why Croser’s sparkling rosé spritz is the must-try drink this summer (and how to make the perfect spritz at home).

Sydney is at its best during the warmer months. Longer days and balmy nights are made for sipping well-made drinks while basking in the sun. From backyard BBQs to beachside picnics, enjoying a refreshing spritz is quickly becoming the drink of choice for Sydneysiders this season. And for bartending heavyweight Kate McGraw of Isabel Bondi, this drink is one of the biggest trends to hit the city.

“Lockouts have meant that Sydneysiders have been going out earlier, and when you’re sitting outside in the sun, having a big, booze-forward drink is pretty horrible! Couple that with the fact that Australians are drinking less across the board, low ABV spritzes are an appealing alternative,” tells Kate. “You get the social element of going out for drinks without the hangover. Plus, they’re delicious.”

And this summer, sparkling rosé is continuing to prove a firm favourite among Sydney drinkers (and with good reason). “A sparkling Rosé Spritz has all the elements of a great summer drink: it’s cold, refreshing and thirst-quenching. You can roll off the beach into a spritz and you don’t feel like you’re gonna fall asleep, if anything, you feel like another one. They’re lighter on alcohol than a lot of other cocktails and perfect for celebrating the later sunsets,” explains Kate.

That’s exactly what you’ll find when you pop a bottle of Croser’s NV Rosé. Sourced from premium Piccadilly Valley fruit, this fruit-forward drop is the perfect spritz companion with notes of pomegranate, wild strawberry and cherry. For Kate, this is a bottle that strikes the perfect balance. “It’s generous in flavour without being saccharine and has a really great level of carbonation. Those two things mean it stands up against all the other bits and pieces that go into making a good spritz, it shines through other liqueurs and juices, and it doesn’t go flat when it hits ice,” reveals Kate.

Ready to make the perfect summer spritz? Check out Kate’s top 3 spritz recipes using Croser’s NV Rosé below!

How to make: The Maverick

You’ll need:

• 60ml Croser Rosé
• 20ml Passionfruit pulp
• 20ml Peach puree
• 20ml Vodka
• 3 drops Vanilla extract
• 2 dashes Aromatic bitters

Method:

Combine all except for the Croser in a shaker. Shake hard over ice and double strain into a glass, then top with bubbles. Our garnish top? top with fresh mint and berries.

How to make: Spritz Royale

You’ll need:

• 60ml Croser Rosé
• 20ml Aperol
• 10ml Luxardo Maraschino
• 5ml Grenadine
• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
• Splash of soda water

Method:

Stir everything except the Croser Rosé into a mixing glass. Strain neat and top with bubbles. Garnish with everything from olives to a slice of orange.

How to make: Le Soirée

You’ll need:

• 60ml Croser Rosé
• 15ml Orange Juice
• 15ml Elderflower Liqueur
• 15ml Dry Vermouth
• 1 dash of Orange Bitters

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a glass and serve over ice. Kate’s tip? Garnish this spritz with a handful of edible flowers and fresh citrus.

Love the look of these delicious drinks? Keep an eye out, Sydney. These drinks will be popping up in bars across Sydney this summer.