FRANCE-DRINKS/SUMMER COCKTAIL Parisians go wild for Venetian flame-coloured aperitif "Spritz"

Record ID: 146079

  • Title: FRANCE-DRINKS/SUMMER COCKTAIL Parisians go wild for Venetian flame-coloured aperitif "Spritz"
  • Date: 27th July 2015
  • Summary: ITALIAN BARMAN GARNISHING DRINKS WITH ORANGE SLICES AND OLIVES WOMEN TAKING DRINKS OUTSIDE BAR
  • Embargoed: 11th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA5VPKI1GSVUGT8DG9QF6BU0BPK
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The Venetian flame-coloured aperitif "Spritz", made of Prosecco wine, soda and Campari or Aperol liqueur is seeing a boom in sales in Paris bars this summer.
    A "Spritz-mania" is taking over the French capital during happy hour as more and more Parisians choose the refreshing cocktail over the beloved Mojito.
    French economic newspaper "Les Echos" reported some 10,000 bottles of Aperol were sold in 2011 in France, 500,000 in 2014 and 750,000 are expected to be sold by the end of this year.
    Lucile Escourrou, a French food and drink journalist for fashion weekly magazine "Figaro Madame", said the bitter taste was not really part of the French food and drink culture, adding French people tend to consider anything bitter as old-fashioned.
    Even so, the "Spritz" has seen a new heyday recently in the City of Lights, mainly because of its orange colour, Escourrou said, adding the drink is becoming one of the most popular cocktail in Paris this summer.
    "There is a comeback, in the world of food and drinks, to something playful, childish, fun, and very clearly the 'Spritz' is taking part in this because it is neon orange, because it is sparkling, because we can order a 'Spritz' but we can also order a 'Spritz' carafe to drink together with all our friends on a bar terrace, because it recalls Italy, the 'dolce vita', so there is something which includes it within that trend. So 'Spritz' combines at least two trends so I think this is what made it a "must-drink" for this summer," she said.
    But, she said, the bright colour and fun aspect of the cocktail is not the only reason for its success.
    "Within the cocktail fashion, the 'Spritz' holds a big advantage, which is that it is not expensive. In Paris a cocktail costs between, depending on whether you are drinking it at a neighbourhood bar or at a fancy one, it will go between 10 and 18 euros let's say. A 'Spritz' will always be three or four euros less than a classic cocktail," Escourrou told Reuters Television.
    The "Spritz" is also easy to prepare: three parts of Prosecco -- an Italian sparkling white wine-- two parts of bitter and one part of soda. The recipe can change, but in Paris, as in Italy, the drink is usually served over ice and garnished with a slice of orange and a green olive.
    Parisians enjoying their glass of "Spritz" near the Canal Saint Martin said it was a must-have long drink, especially in summer-time.
    "It is true that this year all bars offer it, even beyond Italian bars, there are also neighbourhood cafes who do 'Spritz' nowadays just like they do "Mojitos" and so it is very appreciated when it is extremely hot, and since it is extremely hot this summer, it is very very good," said 32-year old Christine.
    "It brings change; it brings change because the 'Spritz' arrived in Paris recently. So actually, that's it, it is pleasant, it is fresh, coloured and it reminds of Italy. That's it," said Parisian architect Clemence, 26, who first tried the drink when she visited the architecture Biennale in Venice years ago.
    For those reluctant to spend time in bars but willing to bring back home the 'Spritz' culture -- catching up with friends after a day at the office and whetting your appetite for dinner -- Aperol, the bitter liquor used in "Spritz", is also on sale in most wine shops in the French capital.
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