Spritz With A Desi Twist: 5 Indian-Inspired Takes On The Classic
A classic bubbly spritzer is a very cleverly done cocktail. It brings together three parts of sparkling wine with two parts of an Italian bitter aperitif and one part of carbonated water or soda. A spritzer fashioned using this simple but intelligent formula carries bright and light flavours, an airy texture and a fresh finish.
Undoubtedly, this spritzer has a very long history. From its early days in Austrian bartending scenes to its appearance in Italian aperitivo cultures, spritzers have come a long way, so much so that they have now become global cocktails. Their sheer versatility has inspired bartenders to dabble in different ingredients, which can be introduced into the cocktail as creative reinventions of a classic recipe. Indian bartenders have been experimenting with spritzers too, and have come up with monsoon-ready recipes that introduce regional ingredients into this fizzy cocktail.
Read on below to know more about how a spritzer can be produced with a desi-twist using certain fruity and citrusy elements to blend the cocktail:
Kokum And Sparkling Rosé Spritzer
From the western coasts of Konkan comes the purple, pink kokum, known for its fruity tang and acidic touch. Kokum petals are dried and salted and turned into a sweet and sour syrup that is subsequently used for preparing versatile mixers. The tanginess of this brightly coloured syrup can blend well with the subtly sweet and bubbly qualities of a sparkling rosé. Craft a drink which brings together 30 ml of this sparkling wine with 10 ml kokum syrup, finished off with 10 ml club soda to prepare a fresh spritzer complete with fruity, tangy flavours laced with a mild tartness.
Orange Peel And Basil Mocktail Spritz
Introduce the flavours of a citrusy, tart orange into the spritzer accompanied by a touch of basil to lend it a desi fruity and herbal finish. The aromas of both these robustly flavoured ingredients will seep into the cocktail, accentuated by a touch of chaat masala to bring forth a nuanced effect similar to a fizzy sherbet. Do away with the sparkling wine to instead add about 30 ml orange soda into the drink, layered with a non-alcoholic orange cordial and muddled basil.
Also Read: Desi Cocktails And Mocktails: 7 Drinks Which Bring Regional Flavours Alive
Nimbu Soda Spritzer
Swap out the carbonated water in a classic spritzer recipe to instead introduce the tangy qualities of nimbu soda in this desi version of the cocktail. A lemony, citrusy soda will add just the right amount of fresh flavours into the blend containing about 20 ml of tart citrus bitters or any Italian aperitif of choice. Adding about 30 ml of dry sparkling wine to the recipe will ensure that the lemony flavours shine bright in the drink even as the overall mix remains a balance of sweet and tangy tasting notes. Garnish the drink with just a pinch of pink salt to complete the desi touch.
Jamun Syrup Spritzer
A non-alcoholic take on the spritzer, the jamun syrup mocktail fits right into the trend of blending purple drinks that seems to be sweeping across the trendiest Indian bars. Jamun syrup is a sweet and tangy mixture prepared using this Indian berry-like fruit, carrying a very fresh taste. Top this syrup off with about 30 ml carbonated water for the fizzy touch and a hint of black salt or kaala namak for a salty, umami finish brightened by the bubbly soda.
Lemongrass And Ginger Spritzer
Indian mixes are no stranger to the addition of herbs and spices. From freshly brewed tea to a well-made sherbet, most monsoon time drinks contain the aroma and pronounced flavours of numerous aromatic accents. One such combination is lemongrass and ginger, both of which can introduce an earthy, grassy and slightly spicy nuance into a classic spritzer. Use 30 ml sparkling white wine to build this cocktail, which can accommodate these robust, aromatic ingredients infused in the drink through 10 ml of lemongrass-ginger syrup.
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