# Vermouth and Soda Spritz with Citrus and Rosemary > A light, low-ABV spritz that pairs floral dry vermouth with bright citrus and a fragrant rosemary note. Quick to build and perfect for long summer evenings or as an easy aperitif before dinner. Canonical URL: https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/vermouth-and-soda-spritz-citrus-rosemary ## Author Jake Woods https://www.topshelf.recipes/chef/jake-woods Published: July 20, 2026 Last Updated: September 3, 2026 ## About This Recipe This Vermouth and Soda Spritz trades the usual heavy-handed ingredients of many cocktails for something lighter and more deliberate: dry or blanc vermouth brings floral, herbal complexity without the heat of hard spirits, while a squeeze of grapefruit and lemon supplies bright acidity and a whisper of bitterness. Because the drink relies on aroma as much as flavor, the technique of bruising rosemary and running it along the glass rim matters — it releases volatile oils that you inhale with every sip, so the experience evolves as the drink warms. Large ice cubes and chilled club soda keep the spritz crisp and carbonated, delivering a refreshing mouthfeel rather than a cloying sweetness. This version is built to be an aperitif for warm evenings and easy company: single-serve and quick to assemble, with an ABV that invites second helpings without overwhelming the palate. It’s also forgiving — blanc vermouth softens the edges, while dry vermouth skews more savory, so you can tune the profile to match food or mood. Small gestures — expressing citrus oils over the bowl, using a wide wine glass instead of a short tumbler, or swapping in blood orange for grapefruit — make perceptible differences, so this is a cocktail where technique and simple substitutions pay off more than heavy-handed mixing. ## Recipe Information - Prep Time: 8 minutes - Total Time: 8 minutes - Servings: 4 - Difficulty: Easy - Category: Drinks ## Ingredients ### Prep rosemary - 4 sprigs fresh rosemary sprigs ### Build the base - 4 cubes ice (large cubes or crushed) - 2 1/2 fl oz dry or blanc vermouth - 1/2 fl oz fresh pink grapefruit juice - 1/2 fl oz fresh lemon juice ### Top with soda and stir - 3 fl oz chilled club soda ### Garnish and finish - 4 wheels grapefruit or orange wheel (for garnish) ## Ingredient Guide ### dry or blanc vermouth Dry or blanc vermouth is an aromatized, fortified wine scented with botanicals (herbs, spices and citrus peel) used widely in cocktails and cooking. It has European origins (Italy and France); dry vermouth is crisp, herbaceous and slightly bitter while blanc/bianco is sweeter with floral, vanilla and citrus notes. You can find vermouth at most liquor stores and many well-stocked supermarkets. If you don't have it, substitute dry white wine with a splash of brandy and a pinch of sugar and/or a few dashes of aromatic bitters for a dry vermouth, or use Lillet Blanc, Cocchi Americano, or white wine plus a touch of simple syrup for a blanc-style substitute. ## Instructions ### 1. Prep rosemary Lightly bruise 1 rosemary sprig per glass by clapping it between your hands or gently rolling it on the counter; this releases its aromatic oils. Run the bruised sprig around the rim of each glass to impart fragrance, then set the sprig aside for garnish. ### 2. Build the base Fill 4 rocks or wine glasses with large ice cubes (about 4 cubes or 1 cup packed per glass). Divide the dry or blanc vermouth and the fresh grapefruit and lemon juices evenly between the glasses (about 2.5 fl oz / 75 ml vermouth and a total 1 fl oz / 30 ml citrus per glass). ### 3. Top with soda and stir Top each glass with about 3 fl oz (90 ml) of chilled club soda. Gently stir once or twice to combine — you want to mix without flattening the bubbles. ### 4. Garnish and finish Place a grapefruit or orange wheel on the rim and tuck the bruised rosemary sprig into each glass. If you like, lightly squeeze the citrus wheel over the drink to express oils for an extra fragrant finish. ### 5. Serve Serve immediately while cold and fizzy. Variations: swap grapefruit with blood orange for a sweeter note, or use a touch (1/4 fl oz) of simple syrup if you prefer more sweetness. ## Nutrition Estimated nutrition per serving (1 spritz (about 8 fl oz / 240ml)): - Calories: 50 kcal - Protein: 2.5 g - Carbohydrates: 5.8 g - Fat: 0.6 g - Saturated Fat: 0.1 g - Trans Fat: 0 g - Fiber: 0.3 g - Sugar: 0.8 g - Added Sugars: 0 g - Cholesterol: 4 mg - Sodium: 78 mg - Potassium: 70 mg - Calcium: 35 mg - Iron: 0.4 mg - Vitamin D: 0 mcg ## Tips ### Bruise Rosemary Gently Press or clap the sprig to release oils without shredding leaves; intact needles muddle nicely for aroma but avoid pulverizing, which can add bitterness. ### Use Large Ice Cubes Big cubes melt slower and maintain carbonation and temperature, so the drink doesn't dilute too quickly and keeps its effervescence longer. ### Chill Everything First Keep vermouth and club soda well chilled and pre-chill your glasses when possible to preserve bubbles and the vermouth's delicate aromatics. ### Express Citrus Oils Give the citrus wheel a light squeeze over the glass to spray aromatic oils onto the surface — it adds an immediate fragrant top note without extra acidity. ### Stir Gently, Once A single gentle stir integrates vermouth and soda without flattening the drink; over-stirring kills the fizz and the lively mouthfeel. ## Variations and Substitutions ### Blood Orange Swap Replace pink grapefruit with blood orange juice for a sweeter, less bitter profile and a deeper color that’s visually striking. ### Smoky Herbal Twist Use a charred rosemary sprig (briefly torch the tip) to add a subtle smoky edge that plays well with vegetal blanc vermouth. ### Sparkling Wine Upgrade Top with 2–3 fl oz of dry sparkling wine instead of club soda for a slightly higher-ABV spritz with richer mouthfeel and bubbles. ### Nonalcoholic Version Use a nonalcoholic vermouth substitute or a concentrated white tea infusion with a dash of white balsamic to mimic vermouth’s herbal backbone. ## Notes This vermouth-and-soda spritz is a refreshing, lower-alcohol alternative to heavier cocktails — it shines on sunny afternoons, casual gatherings, or as a pre-dinner sipper. Home bartenders will love how a little fresh citrus and a bruised rosemary sprig lift simple ingredients into a bright, aromatic drink. ### Storage and Make-Ahead This spritz is best enjoyed immediately — once mixed it will lose carbonation and aromatic lift within an hour. You can pre-squeeze citrus and keep vermouth chilled in the fridge for up to 5 days; assemble and add soda just before serving. If you've made a larger pitcher, hold off on adding club soda until serving time to retain fizz. ### Serving Suggestions Serve alongside light, savory nibbles like marcona almonds, olives, or a shaved fennel and Parmesan salad to complement the vermouth’s herbaceousness. This drink also pairs well with seafood starters — think citrus-cured shrimp or smoked salmon on rye — and presents nicely in a stemmed wine glass or old-fashioned glass for a relaxed dinner aperitif. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can I use sweet vermouth instead? Sweet vermouth will make the spritz noticeably richer and sweeter, shifting it toward a low-alcohol cocktail with dessert-like notes; if you use it, cut grapefruit slightly or add an extra squeeze of lemon to balance sweetness. ### How do I scale this recipe for a pitcher? Multiply the vermouth and citrus by the number of servings but hold the club soda back; add about 3 fl oz of soda per glass at the last moment to keep everything fizzy when served. ### Is blanc vermouth better than dry here? Blanc vermouth tends to be softer and slightly sweeter with floral highlights, which pairs beautifully with grapefruit; dry vermouth will create a leaner, more savory profile — choose based on whether you want brightness or restraint. ### What if I don’t have fresh grapefruit? You can substitute an equal amount of fresh orange juice for sweetness or a mix of lime and a touch of grapefruit cordial if fresh grapefruit isn’t available, but the flavor will be less bitter and more rounded. ### Can I muddle the rosemary instead of bruising it? Light muddling can work but be cautious: over-muddling releases bitter compounds from the stems and needles, so aim only to release oils rather than pulverize the herb. ## Related Recipes and Guides - [Fresh Squeezed Lemonade](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/fresh-squeezed-lemonade) - [Smoky Grilled Pineapple Mezcal Old-Fashioned with Brown Butter-Pineapple Syrup](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/smoky-grilled-pineapple-mezcal-old-fashioned-brown-butter-pineapple-syrup) - [Lavender Simple Syrup](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/lavender-simple-syrup) - [Coffee Simple Syrup](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/coffee-simple-syrup) - [Watermelon Agua Fresca (Easy Blender Recipe)](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/watermelon-agua-fresca-easy-blender-recipe) - [Doc Swinson's Whiskey Old Fashioned](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/doc-swinsons-whiskey-old-fashioned) - [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) - [Labor Day Cocktail Pairing Playbook](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/labor-day-cocktail-pairing-playbook) - [Labour Day Self-Serve Drink Station](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/labour-day-self-serve-drink-station)