There are few drinks as synonymous with Italian aperitivo as the Spritz. But before the orange-hued Spritz became a fixture on menus around the world, Venice had its own version: deeper, more bitter, and unmistakably Venetian.
At the heart of that tradition is Select Aperitivo, created in Venice in 1920 by brothers Mario and Vittorio Pilla. Born in the historic Sestiere di Castello, Select has been part of Venetian aperitivo culture for more than a century, and remains the essential ingredient in what the brand calls the Original Venetian Spritz.
About Select Aperitivo
Select is a 14% ABV Italian aperitivo made from a blend of 30 botanicals, including juniper berries and rhubarb root. The juniper is specially macerated and distilled, while the rhubarb contributes the characteristic bitter backbone. Together, they create a complex profile of floral, citrus, balsamic and spicy notes.
There’s even a little Venetian poetry behind the name. According to the brand, the name “Select” was inspired by the Latin selectus, meaning selected or chosen, and was coined during a dinner in Venice involving the famous Italian poet Gabriele D’Annunzio.
The 3-2-1 Rule
The beauty of the Spritz cocktail is that you don’t really need a recipe book.
Remember 3-2-1, and you can make one almost anywhere.
The 3 parts of Prosecco provide the lift and freshness. 2 parts of an Aperitif or a Liqueur give the drink its distinctive bitter, botanical character, while 1 part soda stretches everything out into a long, refreshing aperitivo.
It’s a formula that leaves plenty of room for the most important ingredient of all: time.
The Venetian Spritz
If the Spritz is about simplicity, the Venetian Spritz is about getting that simplicity right.
Select brings a more bitter, aromatic character to the drink than the sweeter, lighter styles that have become more familiar internationally. It’s a Spritz with a distinctly Venetian personality: refreshing and effervescent, but with enough bitterness and botanical complexity to make you want another sip.
And remember:
3 – 2 – 1.
Bringing it all together:
- Fill a large wine glass generously with ice.
- Add 3 parts chilled Prosecco, followed by 2 parts Select Aperitivo and 1 part soda water.
- Give the drink a gentle stir to bring everything together without losing its effervescence.
- Finish with an orange and a large green olive — the traditional Venetian garnish that gives the drink its unmistakable signature.
So pour yourself a Select Spritz, add the olive, and take the Venetian approach to aperitivo — slow down, share a drink, and enjoy the moment.
Now it’s your turn to give this a try!
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