Venice Spritz
The spritz originated in Venice in the early 1800s, when the Veneto region was under Austrian rule (1814-1866). Austrian soldiers and officials found local wines too strong and asked bartenders to lighten them with water, a practice called spritzen, German for "to splash." Bartenders began adding sparkling water to still wine, and by the early 20th century the recipe evolved to include a splash of bitter liqueur. The Venetian choice is Select Aperitivo, created in Venice in 1920 and still considered the city's own bitter: ruby red, herbal, with notes of juniper and rhubarb, less sweet than Aperol (invented in Padua in 1919) and less intensely bitter than Campari (Milan). Cynar, an artichoke-based bitter from 1948, also appears on bacaro menus as a darker, more bitter variation. The standard mix is three parts prosecco, two parts bitter, and a splash of soda water, served over ice with a green olive or a slice of orange. To order like a local, ask for "uno spritz al Select" or simply "col Select" rather than defaulting to Aperol. At a neighborhood bacaro or wine bar away from the main tourist routes, a spritz costs 2.50 to 4 EUR. Around Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge, where table service and prime seating raise the price, the same drink can cost 6 to 10 EUR. Locals drink spritz standing at the counter, typically between 18:00 and 20:00, alongside a plate of cicchetti.
Must Try
- Spritz al Select
- Spritz Aperol
- Spritz Cynar
- Spritz Campari
Frequently Asked Questions
4 QuestionsWhat is the difference between Select, Aperol, and Cynar spritz?
Select is a Venetian bitter created in the city in 1920, ruby red with herbal and juniper notes, and considered the authentic local choice. Aperol, from Padua, is sweeter, lighter, and orange-hued with lower alcohol. Cynar is made from artichoke and tastes more bitter and vegetal, a darker alternative found on many bacaro menus.
Why is it called spritz?
The name comes from the German verb spritzen, meaning "to splash." Austrian soldiers and officials stationed in Venice during the 19th century, when Veneto was under Habsburg rule, asked local bartenders to splash their still wine with water because they found it too strong.
How do I order a spritz like a local in Venice?
Ask for "uno spritz al Select" if you want the traditional Venetian version, or specify "con Aperol" or "con Campari" for the other common bitters. At a bacaro, order at the counter rather than waiting for table service to keep the price at 2.50 to 4 EUR.
Why is a spritz more expensive near San Marco?
Bars and cafes on and around Piazza San Marco charge for table service, prime tourist location, and often live music, pushing the price of an identical drink to 6 to 10 EUR compared to 2.50 to 4 EUR at a standing-room bacaro a few streets away.
