Bicicletta Spritz
A bubbly, refreshing and bitter cocktail ∙ Build ∙ 2 min ∙ 10.3% ABV ∙
The Bicicletta Spritz is a low-proof Italian highball of equal parts white wine, a red bitter such as Campari, and soda water.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Pour all ingredients into the ice-filled glass: Soda water 40 mlWhite wine 40 mlRed bitter 40 ml
- Stir gently
- Garnish with an orange wheel
Tips
- Choose a dry, crisp white, not a sweet one; in equal parts, its acidity is what stands up to the red bitter.
History
The Bicicletta is a northern Italian spritz-style drink of Campari, dry white wine, and soda water, most often dated to the 1930s, with some accounts placing its creation as early as the 1920s or more loosely in the early 1900s. Sources generally locate its origin in Lombardy, often naming Milan specifically, home to Campari's own production.
Its name, Italian for "bicycle," is popularly explained by the sight of elderly men wobbling home on their bicycles after an afternoon of drinking the aperitivo at the local cafe. The drink belongs to the same family of Campari-based aperitivi as the Americano and the Spritz. Unlike the Spritz, it uses still white wine rather than Prosecco or other sparkling wine.
FAQ
What is a Bicicletta Spritz?
A low-proof Italian highball of equal parts white wine, a red bitter such as Campari, and soda water, 40 ml each, over ice. At roughly 10.3% ABV, it finishes clean rather than syrupy.
Is a Bicicletta similar to an Aperol Spritz?
Yes, closely. Both are low-proof Italian highballs of a bitter and soda water over ice. The Aperol Spritz pairs Aperol with prosecco, while the Bicicletta Spritz takes a red bitter such as Campari and still white wine, which makes it lighter and less sweet.
What does a Bicicletta Spritz taste like?
Bitter, bubbly, and refreshing, with Campari’s herbal bite balanced by crisp white wine and a hint of orange from the wheel.
