The Emerald Spritzer glows a jewel-like green, yet the first sip tastes as light and clean as a classic wine spritzer. True to its name, that emerald shine comes from a single spoonful of melon liqueur, while muscat liqueur fills the glass with sweet, juicy grape aroma.
Chilled white wine adds crisp acidity, soda stretches it into gentle sparkle, and a sprig of fresh mint cools the finish. Elegant, refreshing and made for garden parties and warm days, it is worth pouring tonight.
Recipe & How to Make It
Ingredients
Recipe no.186
- White wine — 1 + 1/2 oz (45ml)
- Muscat liqueur — 1 + 1/2 oz (45ml)
- Soda — Full
- Melon liqueur — 1 tsp
- Mint leaves
※ 1 tsp = One bar spoon.
※ Full = Fill to about 80–90% of the glass.
How to Make It
Chill the white wine, soda and glass in advance.
Add the white wine, muscat liqueur and melon liqueur to the glass.
Slowly top with soda so it doesn’t foam, then stir gently just 1–2 times.
Garnish with mint leaves, and it’s ready.
・Technique ｜ Stir
・Glass ｜ Champagne Flute
・ABV ｜ About 6%–7%
・Best Enjoyed ｜ Daytime / Before Dinner
Emerald Spritzer Details & Video
Origin & Characteristics
The Emerald Spritzer is a twist on the spritzer, a wine-and-soda drink rooted in 19th-century Austria. Its name comes from the German “spritzen,” meaning to splash, which suits a drink made by topping wine with sparkling water.
Muscat liqueur brings sweet, juicy grape aroma, a touch of melon liqueur adds the emerald glow, and soda keeps it light. Grape notes come first, then white wine’s crisp acidity and cool mint.
I’d pour it in a well-chilled flute for garden parties.
Tips, Twists & Food Pairings
Tips
- Common mistake: pouring too much melon liqueur — Even a little extra melon liqueur turns the color dark and lets the sweet melon flavor bury the muscat. Keep it to 1 tsp, adding it a few drops at a time until the color glows emerald.
- Choose a dry, crisp white wine — Both liqueurs bring sweetness, so a dry white keeps the drink balanced. I’d use a zesty Sauvignon Blanc, because its bright acidity and green notes suit the muscat perfectly.
- Chill everything and wake up the mint — Served without ice in a flute, the drink relies on cold wine, soda and glass to stay crisp. Gently slap the mint before adding it to release its fresh aroma.
Twists
- Sparkling Emerald Spritzer — Swap the soda for chilled sparkling wine such as Prosecco. It becomes richer and more festive, with finer bubbles that suit a celebration toast.
- Fresh Grape Emerald Spritzer — Drop a few halved green grapes, like Shine Muscat, into the glass. Their juicy sweetness echoes the muscat liqueur and adds a beautiful, jewel-like look.
Food Pairings
- Prosciutto and melon — The salty ham meets the drink’s sweet fruit, and the fresh melon echoes the melon liqueur, while bubbles keep each bite light.
- Caprese salad — Mild mozzarella and juicy tomatoes match the drink’s light, refreshing style, and the mint in the glass mirrors the salad’s fresh basil.
- Lemon-herb grilled shrimp — The shrimp’s natural sweetness pairs with the muscat, and the white wine’s acidity lifts the lemon and herbs.
Recipe Video
- Recipe Video ｜ Muse Amuse Channel Home
Spritzer Variations
- Spritzer — The original: white wine and soda in a 1:1 ratio.
- Aperol Spritz — A recipe that adds Aperol and orange juice.
- Spritzer Rouge — Swaps the white wine for red wine.
- Brandy Spritzer — Swaps the white wine for brandy, mixed at 1 part brandy to 3 parts soda.
- Beer Spritzer — Mixes white wine and beer half and half.
