Cameron Diaz’s Lambrusco Spritz Recipe

The bubbly red Lambrusco spritz is a perfect summer sipper.

Could the Lambrusco spritz replace its Aperol-based cousin as the drink of the summer?

Probably not. The beautiful, almost glowingly red cocktail has become synonymous with the season, especially when served with an orange round or garnish. It’s dominated summer menus for several years now, and shows little sign of abating.

And I’m absolutely part of the reason, regularly ordering one when I come across this simple drink when I see it. (If you don’t like it, I’m convinced you just encountered a bad bartender who used too much Aperol.) Between the bright bubbliness and the low-alcohol content, it’s masterfully designed to help beat the heat.

But the Lambrusco spritz shouldn’t be far behind.

It appeals for nearly all the same reasons. Relying on the somewhat sparkly Italian red wine Lambrusco, it substitutes amaro — another bitter — for Aperol. And it’s arguably more interesting than the light Hugo spritz some people tried to make happen in 2023 (but that didn’t really catch on). But it’s just as simple.

There are a range of ways to make a Lambrusco spritz. Mix the wine with Campari, for example, and add orange juice and blood orange San Pelligrino. Or try this recipe, which comes to us from Avaline, the organic wine company from Cameron Diaz (and serial entrepreneur Katherine Power). We like it because it’s straightforward: just Lambrusco, a little amaro, and cherry cola. With a maraschino cherry to top it, and some ice to keep it cool.

Martha Stewart’s site declared the tequila and Coke-based Batanga the drink of the summer in 2024, so maybe there’s something to the idea of a Coca-Cola-based summer bevvie. But this spritz is lower ABV, which is great when you’re day drinking — especially if it’s hot out.

It’s more interesting than a bubbly rosé, and not as predictable as an Aperol spritz. In other words, it’s approachable yet intriguing. That’s the sweet spot in summertime.

The Avaline recipe below doesn’t specify which cherry cola to use (other than to note that a diet soda would keep the drink sugar-free). My personal favorite is Dr. Brown’s Black Cherry soda, which is a little harder to find but that I know I can reliably pick up at a deli nearby. (And while I love North Carolina favorite Cheerwine, it’s a little more overpowering — but feel free to play around!)

By the way, if you love cherry cola and summery things, try our Fresh Cherry Cola Floats recipe! It’s another banger.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this Lambrusco spritz recipe:

• Ice
• Maraschino cherry (preferably a Luxardo cherry!)
• 2 oz. amaro (such as Nonino)
• 3 oz. Lambrusco
• Splash of cherry cola

Directions

Follow these super-simple steps — which boil down to measure and stir.

1. Add your amaro, Lambrusco, and cherry cola together in a glass with ice.
2. Stir until well mixed.
3. Garnish with a maraschino cherry (or two)
4. Sip and enjoy!

Thanks to Avaline for sharing this recipe with us! This is not a sponsored post — we genuinely like this recipe and thought you’d appreciate it, too.