Portuguese Spritz: Delightfully Refreshing

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This Portuguese Spritz is a delightfully refreshing cocktail inspired by the Iberian country. Learn how to craft the sparkling cocktail at home with just a few ingredients.

Portuguese Spritz with Snacks
Image: ©2foodtrippers

Most people associate spritzes with Italy. Popular spritzes like the Aperol Spritz, Campari Spritz and Limoncello Spritz all have roots in the boot. But that doesn’t mean that every spritz has to be Italian. Enter the Portuguese Spritz.

We created the Portuguese Spritz by blending the Italian cocktail concept with Portuguese ingredients. The result is a refreshing sparkling wine cocktail that’s a pleasure to sip wherever you happen to be located.

What Is a Portuguese Spritz?

Portuguese Spritz on Ledge
We crafted and sipped this Portuguese Spritz in our Lisbon apartment. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

The Portuguese Spritz is a bubbly cocktail that’s crafted with sparkling wine, Per Se and sparkling water using a 3:2:1 ratio. It’s a relatively light drink that’s ideal for aperitivo sessions. And, if you close your eyes while sipping one, the Portuguese Spritz will likely transport your soul to Europe with no flight required.

Ingredients

Portuguese Spritz Ingredients
The Portuguese Spritz ingredients include Per Se, sparkling wine, sparkling water, an orange whedge or wheel and ice cubes (not pictured). | Image: ©2foodtrippers

You need the following ingredients to craft a Portuguese Spritz:

  • Per Se (Portuguese Spirit)
  • Sparkling Wine (preferably Portuguese Espumante)
  • Sparkling Water
  • Ice Cubes
  • Orange Wedge or Wheel (garnish)

Ingredient quantities are detailed in the printable recipe card below.

Portuguese Spritz and Per Se Bottle
Per Se is the Portuguese Spritz’s defining ingredient. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

While Aperol and Campari are famous around the world, Per Se may be new to you. Orange in color and made with 24 different botanicals, the Portuguese spirit gets its pleasant flavor from ingredients like cardamom, orange, Jamaican pepper and hops.

Produced in Portugal by Casa Redondo, Per Se has a non-threatening ABV of 14.5%. While it’s easy to find in Portugal, you may have a challenge finding a bottle in your hometown. If that’s the case, we recommend shopping online or buying a bottle when you travel to Portugal.

How to Craft a Portuguese Spritz

Portuguese Spritz Mise en Place
You don’t need any fancy tools or equipment to craft a Portuguese Spritz at home. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

The first step in this recipe is to open a sparkling wine bottle. Do this carefully to avoid an annoying mess or, worse, an eye injury.

Popping Sparkling Portuguese Wine Bottle
Image: ©2foodtrippers

Next, fill a wine glass halfway with ice cubes.

Adding Ice for a Portuguese Spritz
Image: ©2foodtrippers

Measure the sparkling wine and Per Se. Immediately pour the two liquids into the wine glass. We use a Japanese jigger for this step since it ensures accurate measurements and minimizes spillage.

Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.

Gently stir the two liquids with a bar spoon.

Stirring a Portuguese Spritz
Image: ©2foodtrippers

Top the glass with chilled sparkling water.

Adding Sparkling Water to a Portuguese Spritz
Image: ©2foodtrippers

Garnish with an orange wedge or wheel.

Adding Orange to a Portuguese Spritz
Image: ©2foodtrippers

All that’s left to do is sip and savor your Portuguese Spritz. Saúde!

Variations

Crafted Portuguese Spritz
Image: ©2foodtrippers

After you try this Portuguese Spritz recipe, feel free to get creative. Here are some ideas to get your juices flowing:

  • Modify the 3:2:1 ingredient ratio to make a stronger or sparklier Portuguese spritz.
  • Replace the Per Se with Aperol to craft an Aperol Spritz.
  • Replace the Per Se with Campari to craft a Campari Spritz.
  • Replace the Per Se with Limoncello to craft a Limoncello Spritz.

Discover 10 essential bar tools for the home mixologist.

Portuguese SpritzPin

Portuguese Spritz Recipe

Daryl and Mindi Hirsch
Learn how to craft a Portuguese Spritz at home with just a few ingredients. It's the next best thing to sipping the sparkling cocktail in Portugal.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 3 minutes
Total Time 3 minutes
Course Drink
Cuisine Cocktail
Servings 1
Calories 190 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 ounces sparkling wine (preferably Portuguese espumante, chilled)
  • 2 ounces Per Se (Portuguese spirit)
  • 1 ounce sparkling water (chilled)
  • ice cubes
  • 1 orange wedge or wheel (garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Fill a wine glass half way with ice cubes.
  • Pour sparkling wine and Per Se into the glass.
  • Gently stir.
  • Top with sparkling water.
  • Garnish with an orange wedge or wheel.

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.02gSodium: 12mgPotassium: 99mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 29IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 0.4mg
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💡 Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Portuguese Spritz?

The Portuguese Spritz is a sparkling wine cocktail crafted with Per Se, sparkling wine and sparkling water.

What are the ingredients in a Portuguese Spritz?

Per Se (Portuguese spirit), Sparkling Wine (preferably Portuguese espumante), Sparkling Water, Ice Cubes and an Orange Wedge or Wheel

Is the Portuguese Spritz shaken or stirred?

The Portuguese Spritz is stirred, not shaken.

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⚙️ Disclosures

Article Updates
We update our articles regularly. Some updates are major, while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections. Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article.

Funding
We purchased the ingredients and tools used to craft this cocktail.

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Daryl and Mindi Hirsch
Daryl and Mindi Hirsch

Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on their website 2foodtrippers. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers a unique taste of the world.