# Low-ABV Citrus Spritz > A light, bright spritz made for long summer afternoons — zesty citrus, a kiss of elderflower, and a splash of low-ABV sparkle. It's sessionable, effervescent, and built to sip slowly between conversations. Canonical URL: https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/low-abv-citrus-spritz ## Author Jake Woods https://www.topshelf.recipes/chef/jake-woods Published: June 26, 2026 Last Updated: September 3, 2026 ## About This Recipe This Low-ABV Citrus Spritz is built to be sipped across long summer conversations—bright grapefruit and lemon provide a clean, bitter-edged backbone while elderflower cordial threads a soft floral lift through each glass. A touch of honey syrup rounds the sharper corners of fresh citrus without turning the drink cloying; the finish is more citrus pith than saccharine, and the split between low-alcohol sparkling wine and soda keeps the mouthfeel pleasantly effervescent rather than boozy. Because the wine sits low on alcohol, the spritz feels lighter and more “sessionable” than a classic Campari or Aperol spritz, letting food and company remain the focus. This version works because it separates the concentrated base (juice, cordial, syrup) from the bubbles, so you get consistent flavor and lively fizz at serving. It’s ideal for brunches, porch afternoons, or casual dinner parties where you want a composed, refreshing cocktail without the weight of a full-strength wine or spirit. Small adjustments—more lemon for brightness, a splash more elderflower for florality, or a dab less honey—are easy and immediate, which makes this recipe both forgiving and flexible for different palates. ## Recipe Information - Prep Time: 10 minutes - Total Time: 10 minutes - Servings: 7 - Difficulty: Easy - Category: Drinks ## Ingredients ### Build the spritz - 25 3/8 fl oz Low-alcohol sparkling wine (4–7% ABV), well chilled - 2 cups Cold sparkling water or club soda - 4 slices Thin citrus wheels (grapefruit or lemon) for garnish ### Make the citrus-elderflower base - 1 cup Fresh grapefruit juice - 2 tbsp Fresh lemon juice - 1/3 cup Elderflower cordial - 2 tbsp Light honey syrup or simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water) ### Prepare glasses - 4 cups Ice (cubes or crushed) ## Ingredient Guide ### Low-alcohol sparkling wine (4–7% ABV), well chilled This refers to lightly alcoholic sparkling wines (typically 4–7% ABV) such as Moscato d'Asti or other frizzante styles and some dealcoholized sparklers; they’re made to be low in alcohol and often naturally sweeter and more floral than full-strength sparkling wines. Flavorwise they’re usually light, fruity, perfumed and gently fizzy, making them popular for low‑ABV cocktails and spritzes. Look for them at wine shops, well‑stocked liquor stores, or online under terms like “Moscato d’Asti,” “frizzante,” or “dealcoholized sparkling wine;” if you can’t find one, substitute regular Prosecco or Champagne (for more alcohol) or a non‑alcoholic sparkling wine, or use club soda with a splash of white grape juice for a similar sweetness and effervescence. ### Elderflower cordial Elderflower cordial is a sweet, floral syrup made from the tiny white blossoms of the elder tree and is especially common in British and Scandinavian cooking and cocktails. It tastes perfumy and floral with a soft honeyed sweetness that brightens drinks without adding heavy fruit flavor. You can find bottled cordial in specialty or international grocery aisles and many supermarkets, or online; good substitutes are elderflower liqueur (St‑Germain) diluted to taste (note it’s alcoholic) or a homemade cordial made from fresh/dried elderflowers, or in a pinch a lightly floral syrup (simple syrup with a few drops of orange or rose blossom water) to approximate the aroma. ## Instructions ### 1. Make the citrus-elderflower base In a pitcher, whisk together the fresh grapefruit juice, lemon juice, elderflower cordial, and honey syrup until smooth and bright. Taste and adjust — if you like it sweeter, add a splash more syrup; if you want it tarter, a squeeze more lemon wakes it up. ### 2. Chill and rest briefly Pop the base into the fridge for 5–10 minutes if you have time so the flavors marry and everything feels crisp. Meanwhile, make sure your sparkling wine and water are very cold so the spritz stays bubbly longer. ### 3. Prepare glasses Fill four large wine glasses or Collins glasses with ice until about three-quarters full. I like to use a combination of cubes and a little crushed ice for texture — it keeps the drink cold and pretty. ### 4. Build the spritz Divide the citrus-elderflower base evenly among the glasses (about 3 fl oz / 90 ml per glass). Top each with roughly 2 fl oz (60 ml) low-alcohol sparkling wine and 2 fl oz (60 ml) sparkling water, stir gently once to combine, and float a thin citrus wheel on top for garnish. ### 5. Serve and store leftovers Serve immediately so the bubbles sing; these are best sipped slowly in good company. If you have leftover base, keep it refrigerated for up to 48 hours and add bubbles only when ready to serve to preserve effervescence. ## Nutrition Estimated nutrition per serving (about 12 fl oz): - Calories: 203 kcal - Protein: 8.1 g - Carbohydrates: 33.6 g - Fat: 1.9 g - Saturated Fat: 0.4 g - Trans Fat: 0 g - Fiber: 1 g - Sugar: 12.7 g - Added Sugars: 8.8 g - Cholesterol: 11 mg - Sodium: 910 mg - Potassium: 329 mg - Calcium: 121 mg - Iron: 1.8 mg - Vitamin D: 0 mcg ## Tips ### Always chill all components Cold ingredients preserve carbonation longer and keep the spritz from diluting quickly; chill the base, sparkling wine, and soda before assembling. ### Make honey syrup correctly Warm equal parts honey and water just until the honey dissolves, then cool; this prevents graininess and blends seamlessly into the citrus base. ### Add bubbles last Pour the sparkling wine and soda gently down the side of the glass and stir only once to avoid losing effervescence. ### Balance by tasting Start with the recipe ratios but taste the citrus-elderflower base and tweak with small increments of lemon or syrup until it lands where you like it. ### Mind your ice choice A mix of cubes and a little crushed ice keeps the drink visually appealing and cold without watering it down too fast. ## Variations and Substitutions ### Zero-proof spritz Replace the low-alcohol sparkling wine with an extra 2 fl oz of high-quality flavored soda water (grapefruit or lemon) or a nonalcoholic sparkling wine to keep the structure and bubbles without alcohol. ### Herbal twist Muddle a small sprig of rosemary or thyme into the citrus base before chilling for a savory, aromatic edge that pairs beautifully with elderflower. ### Stronger florals Swap elderflower cordial for 1–2 tsp of St-Germain or a similar elderflower liqueur (reduce the sparkling wine slightly to keep the ABV lower) for a pronounced floral punch. ### Different citrus profile Use blood orange or pink grapefruit for a sweeter, rounder fruit character, and reduce honey slightly if the citrus is naturally sweeter. ## Notes I love this spritz for sunlit patios and backyard lunches because it tastes celebratory without sending you home early. It's forgiving to scale and easy to tweak—more floral, more bitter, or drier depending on what your guests like. ### Storage and Make-Ahead Keep any unused citrus-elderflower base refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 48 hours; give it a quick stir before using as some separation is normal. Do not pre-mix the sparkling wine and soda with the base if you want to preserve fizz—once carbonated components are combined they begin to flatten and will taste dull after several hours. If a fully assembled spritz sits for more than 6–8 hours it will remain safe but noticeably less effervescent. ### Serving Suggestions Serve alongside light, bright bites such as shrimp ceviche, cucumber and feta crostini, or a fennel–orange salad to echo the citrus notes. For a casual gathering, present a simple grazing board with goat cheese, marinated olives, and toasted sourdough so guests can snack between sips without overpowering the drink's delicate flavors. Use large wine or Collins glasses so ice and garnish sit prettily and the bubbles can gather at the surface. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can I use bottled grapefruit juice instead of fresh? Yes, but choose a high-quality, pulp-free juice and taste the base—bottled juice is often sweeter or less bright than fresh, so you may need to add more lemon or reduce syrup to achieve the right balance. ### What if my sparkling wine is higher ABV? If the wine is above 7% ABV, either reduce the wine portion slightly or substitute some of it with additional soda water to keep the spritz sessionable and preserve the intended balance. ### Can I make the base further ahead? Yes, the citrus-elderflower base can be made up to 48 hours in advance and kept chilled; avoid adding the sparkling elements until ready to serve to maintain effervescence. ### How do I keep the drink from tasting too bitter? Bitterness from grapefruit is natural—temper it by adding a touch more honey syrup or a pinch of salt to the base, which rounds the flavors without masking the citrus character. ### Is this safe for pregnant guests? Because this recipe uses low-alcohol sparkling wine, it is not alcohol-free and therefore not recommended for pregnant guests; offer the zero-proof variation for a safe alternative. ## Related Recipes and Guides - [Watermelon Agua Fresca (Easy Blender Recipe)](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/watermelon-agua-fresca-easy-blender-recipe) - [Brown Butter Dalgona](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/brown-butter-dalgona) - [Mushroom Mocha Latte](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/mushroom-mocha-latte) - [Hibiscus Cold Brew Fizz](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/hibiscus-cold-brew-fizz) - [Boozy Red White Blue Popsicles (Vodka Ice Pops for Adults)](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/boozy-red-white-blue-popsicles-vodka-ice-pops-for-adults) - [Hibiscus Simple Syrup](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/hibiscus-simple-syrup) - [Trending Grillside Drinks for 2026: Cocktails, Low‑ABV Sippers, and Non‑Alcoholic Pairings to Elevate Backyard BBQ](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/trending-grillside-drinks-2026-cocktails-low-abv-non-alcoholic-pairings) - [Blue Drinks at Home: Natural Color Techniques + 10 Viral Blue Cocktail & Mocktail Recipes](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/blue-drinks-natural-ingredients-10-viral-recipes) - [Gluten-Free Weeknight Grilling Plan](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/gluten-free-weeknight-grilling-plan)