Beer Spritzer takes its name from the German word “spritzen,” meaning to splash, and the spritzer itself was born in 19th-century Austria, where soldiers stationed in Italy’s Veneto region lightened local wine to match beer’s gentler strength. This version swaps the soda for beer itself.
Chilled white wine brings a fruity, floral aroma, hop’s crisp bitterness follows, and a lemon slice lifts the golden, foam-topped glass with fresh citrus.
Pour one tonight, a fresh new take on your usual beer.
Recipe & Method
Ingredients
Recipe no.103
- White wine — 1/2
- Beer — 1/2
- Lemon slice
Method
Chill the beer, white wine, and glass beforehand.
Pour white wine to fill half the glass. Add beer, leaving room for foam, and stir gently. Finish by topping with the beer’s foam.
Add a lemon slice to finish.
・Technique ｜ Stir
・Glass ｜ Pilsner glass
・ABV ｜ Around 8-9%
・Best Enjoyed ｜ Daytime / Before dinner
Beer Spritzer in Detail
Origin & Characteristics
Beer Spritzer takes its name directly from the German word “spritzen,” meaning to splash or spray — the drink was genuinely born in 19th-century Austria, where Austrian soldiers stationed in Italy’s Veneto region diluted local wine with water to match beer’s gentler alcohol content. That original spritzer, wine cut with soda water, later evolved in Italy into what most people now recognize as the Spritz. Beer Spritzer takes that same idea and swaps the soda for beer itself, landing on this genuinely unexpected pairing of white wine and beer.
White wine brings a fruity, floral aroma along with balanced acidity, while beer contributes hop’s crisp bitterness and lively carbonation. Together, they strike a fruity sweetness against a pleasant bitterness in real harmony. A lemon slice on top lifts the whole thing with fresh citrus aroma.
Poured into the glass, the golden liquid glows with sparkling foam, almost like sunlight bottled up. The first sip brings white wine’s fruity character forward, followed by beer’s crisp bitterness settling in behind it. The finish is light and clean, leaving a refreshing edge that makes it easy to reach for another glass.
I’d call this exactly the drink for anyone who’s grown a little tired of their usual beer.
Points, Twists & Best Food Pairings
Food Pairings
- Fried calamari with lemon — Beer’s carbonation and wine’s acidity cut through the oil, while the lemon echoes the garnish.
- Prosciutto-wrapped melon — Salty ham plays against the drink’s fruity sweetness, and the bubbles refresh the palate between bites.
- Goat cheese salad — The cheese’s creamy tang meets white wine’s acidity, and beer’s light bitterness rounds out the greens.
Bartender’s Tip
A common mistake is pouring the beer too fast, which sends foam spilling over the rim. Rapid pouring agitates the carbonation, so tilt the glass and pour slowly down the side, leaving room to finish with a crown of foam.
Twists
- Rosé Beer Spritzer — Swap the white wine for rosé for a softer, berry-leaning sweetness.
- Wheat Beer Version — Use a wheat beer for a creamier body and gentle citrus notes.
- Grapefruit Twist — Replace the lemon slice with grapefruit for a brighter, slightly bitter edge.
I’d always chill the glass, the wine, and the beer well ahead of time, because a warm ingredient is the fastest way to lose this drink’s crispness.
Recipe video
- Recipe video ｜ Enoteca Wine Shop Channel Home
Beer Spritzer Recipe: A Bold 3-Ingredient Beer & Wine Cocktail
Learn the Beer Spritzer cocktail recipe: chilled white wine and beer, stirred with a lemon slice into a crisp, fruity Austrian-born classic.
タイプ: Cocktail
料理: Austrian
キーワード: Beer Spritzer, Beer Spritzer recipe, beer and wine cocktail, white wine beer drink, Austrian spritzer cocktail
レシピー歩留まり: 1 cocktail
準備時間: 2 minutes
所要時間: 2 minutes
レシピー材料:
- White wine — 1/2
- Beer — 1/2
- Lemon slice
レシピーの説明:
Prep:
- Chill the beer, white wine, and glass beforehand.
Combine and stir:
- Pour white wine to fill half the glass. Add beer, leaving room for foam, and stir gently. Finish by topping with the beer's foam.
Finish:
- Add a lemon slice to finish.
