Bitter Spritz — A Colorado bitter under dry champagne and lemon sparkling water

Bitter Spritz

A Colorado bitter under dry champagne and lemon sparkling water

Number of people

Ingredients

  • 1 ozBreckenridge Bitter
    The Colorado reading of a red aperitivo
    Substitute: Another American red bitter
  • 3 ozExtra Dry Champagne
    Dry rather than soft; the bitter is already sweet
  • 2 ozLemon Sparkling Water
    To the top, for length and a little acid
    Substitute: Plain soda and a lemon squeeze

Instructions

  1. Fill a wine glass with ice
  2. Add 1 oz Breckenridge Bitter and 3 oz extra dry champagne

    Extra dry, not a soft sparkling wine

  3. Top with 2 oz lemon sparkling water
  4. Garnish with mandarin wheels

Technique Notes

Extra dry champagne, not prosecco, and it matters here. Breckenridge Bitter is sweeter than an Italian red aperitivo, and a soft sparkling wine on top of it gives the drink no dry edge to finish on.

Why the Bitter Spritz Works

American red bitters tend to run sweeter and less aggressively quinine-led than the Italian originals, which changes what belongs on top. Dry champagne restores the edge the bitter does not bring itself, and lemon water keeps the whole thing from reading like a soft drink.