Regardless of whether you’re a lover, a hater or a newbie, sipping on the bubbly drink can’t help but conjure visions of lounging by the Amalfi coastline beneath a striped umbrella. It’s more than a spitz; it’s a lifestyle really.
Luckily Brissie has plenty of spots to feed this lifestyle with an array of classics and eclectic twists just waiting to be discovered…
BABYLON | CBD
Babylon, a fave for mezze and knock-off drinks with a view, doesn’t exactly come from Italian roots but who said we had to follow rules here? Take a sip from Babylon’s Antalya spritz for a bit of a kick with Ketel One vodka, Lillet Blanc, elderflower liqueur, raspberry, lime and prosecco. Or perhaps something a little more citrusy for you sir? Nanaya’s grapefruit spritz with elderflower liqueur, grapefruit, prosecco and lemon might do the trick.
RIVERBAR & KITCHEN | CBD
One of the must-tries from this riverside classic is their signature RBK spritz – St Germain Elderflower, prosecco, citrus, cucumber and soda. But funnily enough, Riverbar’s latest spring pop-up is perfect for fulfilling our spritz needs. Taking the form of a lush Chandon garden, you can enjoy their happy hour from Monday-Friday 5-7pm serving up lobster rolls and a Chandon Garden Spritz for a ripper $25. Now that’s a pairing we can get around.
JULIUS | SOUTH BRISBANE
For a classic spritz, what better place to go than to the source itself. This authentic Italian joint serves incredible pastas and pizzas, but it’s their delicious Aperol spritz we’re recommending today. Keep the Aperols coming and sip freely amongst the buzzy atmosphere of Fish Lane – if you get an alfresco table that is, otherwise their ambient interior will do just fine too.
GRECA | CBD
Now for another bend round the twist, Greca is serving up some great combos. You can’t get a more refreshing fruit than watermelon and the folks at Greca sure know how to whip it into a cool concoction. Cool down with their Karpouzi spritz, made with vodka, Aperol, watermelon, limonata and basil. Cheers!
BAR ALTO | NEW FARM
If you’re looking for something more fancy, another fine-dining reco would be Bar Alto at the Powerhouse. Their modern Italian fare has the spritzes to match – choose your flavour of the hour from Aperol, Campari or Cynar, all paired with soda, prosecco and orange of course.
KAZBA | FORTITUDE VALLEY
With Kazba’s vibrant atmosphere and an all-new lineup of Middle Eastern-inspired drinks, Tel Aviv is where we’re headed now. Kazba’s twist takes the form of Sultan’s Affair – Ambleside no.8 gin, Regal Rogue daring dry, lychee, prosecco, hibiscus and citrus.
OTTO | SOUTH BANK
If you’re still just after a classic, Otto at South Bank is certainly one of the top spots to snag one of those. With unmatched views of the brown snake and killer fine dining on offer, an Aperol spritz will go down quite nicely there.
BAR BRUTUS | SOUTH BRISBANE
This little laneway bar has quite the array of spritzes on offer, but it’s their spin on the OG combo that has us talking. Try your luck with their Slow Pash – Brookie’s slow gin, passionfruit, rinomato aperitivo, blackberry, prosecco and ginger beer. It’s the ultimate spring sip if you ask us!
ONE FISH TWO FISH | KANGAROO POINT
Kangaroo Point’s most beloved fish ‘n’ chip shop has a pretty good track record for delivering on the Amalfi Coast goods. You can’t go wrong with their classic Aperol spritz made on Bouy oh Bouy prosecco and soda but if you want to mix it up, their pink peach spritz with Edgerton pink gin, Bouy oh Bouy prosecco, lemon & soda ain’t too bad either.
CIELO ROOFTOP | FORTITUDE VALLEY
Brisbanites are suckers for a rooftop sesh and when you pair views with Aperol, you get a very happy crowd! Cielo Rooftop loves spritzes as much as us, and while they’ve got the classics, their signature Amalfi sour is pretty darn good. Sip on a blend of BeGin Gin, Toshi lemoncello, lime juice and egg whites as the sun sets over the Brissie skyline. It’s not quite the Amalfi Coast, but it’ll do…
BLACKBIRD BAR AND RESTAURANT | CBD
Blackbird’s Bar, inspired by the glitz and glam of The Great Gatsby makes for a glamorous setting to continue your spritz trail. As for their beverages, their bar workers know what they’re doing because their Aperol spritz is perfezione and that’s not the glitz and sparkly city view talking – although that part doesn’t hurt.
Whether you opt for the classics or the twists, take on the Italian way of life. It’s much nicer here.
