Sweet, floral, and refreshing, this St. Germain Spritz combines elderflower liqueur, prosecco, and fresh lemon juice for a light, elegant cocktail perfect for spring and summer.
About This Simple St. Germain Cocktail
Spritzes trace their origins to the 1800s, when Austro-Hungarian soldiers in northern Italy lightened local wines with a splash of water—“spritzen” in German means “to splash.” While the Aperol Spritz is the most famous example, the spritz format is versatile and lends itself well to many flavor profiles.
This version highlights St. Germain, a French elderflower liqueur made from large quantities of delicate blossoms. The result is a cocktail that’s floral and mildly sweet without being overpowering. Prosecco and club soda add effervescence, lemon juice brightens the profile, and cucumber provides a cooling note—together they make a refreshing drink for warm-weather gatherings.
Key flavors: elderflower sweetness, bright citrus, and crisp cucumber, balanced by bubbly prosecco and soda. Serve on a warm afternoon, at a garden party, or alongside light hors d’oeuvres.
Bar Tools Needed
Making this spritz requires minimal equipment. Recommended tools:
- Jigger — for measuring the liquids precisely.
- Mandoline — for uniform, thin cucumber ribbons (or use a sharp knife).
- Knife and cutting board — for slicing lemon and cucumber.
- Citrus juicer — to extract bright lemon juice.
- Wine or balloon glasses — classic vessels for serving a spritz.
Ingredients in This Recipe
Because this spritz uses just a few ingredients, choose quality components and keep everything chilled for the best results.
- English cucumber
- Ice
- Fresh lemon juice
- Prosecco
- St. Germain elderflower liqueur
- Club soda
- Fresh mint or basil (for garnish)
- Lemon slices (for garnish)
How to Make a St. Germain Spritz
Follow these simple steps to assemble the cocktail:
- Using a mandoline or a sharp knife, slice the cucumber into long, thin ribbons.
- Press a ribbon against the inside of each wine or balloon glass so it adheres to the glass wall.
- Fill each glass with cubed ice and tuck a few thin lemon slices against the glass.
- Divide the fresh lemon juice among the glasses.
- Add prosecco, then St. Germain, and finish with a splash of club soda. Serve immediately.
Garnish Ideas
Garnish with thin lemon rounds and a sprig of fresh mint or basil. A cucumber ribbon inside the glass adds visual appeal and subtle flavor.
Cocktail Making Tips and Tricks
- Use fresh lemon juice. Fresh citrus brightens the drink—one lemon yields enough juice for several spritzes.
- Choose quality spirits. A good prosecco and authentic St. Germain make a noticeable difference; avoid low-quality substitutes.
- Prefer English cucumbers. Their thin skin and smaller seeds give a cleaner, more consistent ribbon.
- Alternative sparkling wines. If you don’t have prosecco, cava or Champagne will work in a pinch.
- Chill everything. Although the cocktail is served over ice, chilling the prosecco, St. Germain, and club soda keeps the drink crisp and cold.
FAQs
Common questions about the St. Germain Spritz.
Is a St. Germain spritz shaken or stirred?
Stirred. Both prosecco and club soda are carbonated, and shaking would release the bubbles and cause a messy overflow.
What type of glass should I use?
Wine or balloon glasses are ideal, but use whatever glassware you have on hand.
Should a spritz be served over ice?
Yes—spritzes are served over ice to keep them chilled and refreshing. Nugget ice is a pleasant option if available.
Can I make the spritz in advance?
No. The prosecco and club soda will lose carbonation if mixed and left sitting, so assemble drinks just before serving.
Can I make this as a pitcher cocktail?
Only if you plan to pour and serve each glass immediately. Do not let a pre-mixed pitcher sit, or the bubbles will go flat.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version?
Yes. Replace prosecco with an alcohol-free sparkling wine or non-alcoholic prosecco and substitute elderflower syrup for St. Germain—adjust syrup quantity to taste, as it’s sweeter than the liqueur. Note that some alcohol-removed products may contain trace alcohol; check labels if serving to children or pregnant guests.
What to Serve with a St. Germain Spritz
This light, floral spritz pairs well with a variety of spring and summer dishes. Try it with finger foods like cucumber tea sandwiches, almond croissants, or fresh mango salsa; light entrees such as tarragon chicken salad or crustless quiche; bright salads featuring citrus or asparagus; and delicate desserts like lemon ricotta cake or pavlova topped with berries.
Try This Cocktail at Home!
When you want a floral, refreshing cocktail, the St. Germain Spritz is an easy, elegant choice. Make it for a gathering or a quiet afternoon—assemble the ingredients, chill them, and mix just before serving for the best bubbly experience.
If you make this spritz, consider sharing a photo on social media and tagging your host or friends so they can enjoy the idea too.
More Spritz Cocktail Recipes
If you like this style of cocktail, explore variations such as a strawberry-infused Aperol spritz, a bright Limoncello spritz, or a lemon-and-raspberry spritz—each uses the same bubbly framework with different flavor accents.
St. Germain Spritz
4
5 minutes
5 minutes
Sweet, floral, and refreshing, this St. Germain Spritz is made with elderflower liqueur, prosecco, and lemon juice. It’s a simple cocktail that’s perfect for the spring and summer!
Ingredients
For the Cocktail
- Fresh English Cucumber
- Ice
- 1 Lemon, juiced
- 12 ounces Prosecco
- 8 ounces St. Germain
- 1 ounce Club Soda
For the Garnishes
- Lemon, sliced in thin rounds
- Fresh Basil or Mint sprigs
Instructions
- Wash and trim the cucumber ends.
- Using a mandoline or sharp knife, cut very thin strips from end to end (about 1/16 inch thick).
- Wrap a cucumber ribbon around the inside of each of four wine or balloon glasses.
- Fill glasses with cubed ice and arrange thin lemon slices against the glass.
- Divide lemon juice among the glasses. Add prosecco (about 3 ounces per glass), then St. Germain (about 2 ounces per glass), and finish with club soda (about 1 ounce per glass).
- Garnish with fresh herb sprigs and serve immediately.
Prepare the Cucumber Ribbons
Assembling the Cocktail
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 91
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 7mg
Carbohydrates: 7g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 3g
Protein: 1g
Nutrition information is an estimate provided for convenience. Actual values may vary.