If you have ever been to Venice, you already know about the Select spritz. It is everywhere; on canal-side terraces, in tiny bacari, in the hands of every local at aperitivo hour.
If you love Italian spritzes, you might also like my classic Aperol spritz and my Limoncello spritz - both are just as easy.
This article contains affiliate links which support us at no extra cost to you.
Jump To
While the rest of Italy defaults to Aperol, Venice has its own liqueur and its own spritz. Select is the one the Venetians actually drink.
Making it at home takes 5 minutes and 3 ingredients. It is the perfect low ABV cocktail to serve before dinner, and it tastes exactly like sitting beside a canal watching the boats go by.
What is Select Aperitivo?
Select is a Venetian aperitivo liqueur made from a blend of 30 botanicals, including bitter orange, juniper, rhubarb, and vanilla. It has been made in Venice since 1920.
It tastes bittersweet and herbal - similar to Aperol but less sweet and a little more complex. The color is a deep amber red that makes the spritz look stunning over ice.
To understand the culture behind it, read my guide to Italian aperitivo tradition - it explains why this hour matters so much in Italy.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Only 3 ingredients. Select, prosecco, and soda water. That is it.
- Ready in 5 minutes. No shaking, no blending, no prep. Just pour, stir, and serve.
- Low ABV. Lighter than a full cocktail - perfect for a long aperitivo hour.
- Tastes like Venice. Select is the authentic local spirit. This is how Venetians actually make it.
- Endlessly crowd pleasing. Make a pitcher for guests by scaling up the ratios. It disappears fast.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Select aperitivo liqueur
- 4 ounces chilled prosecco
- 1 ounce chilled soda water
- Green olive for garnish (optional but traditional)
- Orange slice for garnish (optional)
The classic Venetian ratio is 2 parts Select to 3 parts prosecco to 1 part soda. This keeps it balanced - not too bitter, not too sweet.
How to Make a Venetian Select Spritz
Step 1: Fill the Glass
Fill a large wine glass generously with ice. A big wine glass is traditional - it keeps the drink cold and gives you room to stir.
Step 2: Build the Drink
Pour in the Select first, then the prosecco, then the soda water. Add them in this order to preserve the bubbles. Stir gently with a bar spoon - just enough to combine, not enough to flatten the prosecco.
Step 3: Garnish and Serve
Add a green olive on a cocktail pick and a slice of orange. Serve immediately. The olive is not just decoration - take a bite between sips. It is the Venetian way.
Tips and Variations
- Chill everything. Cold prosecco and cold soda water make a huge difference. Warm soda goes flat fast.
- Want it sweeter? Add a small squeeze of fresh orange juice or a dash of simple syrup. This softens the bitterness nicely.
- Make it a pitcher. Multiply the ratios by however many servings you need. Pour over a large jug of ice and let guests pour their own. Add the garnishes just before serving.
- Can't find Select? Aperol is the closest and easiest substitute. The flavor is slightly sweeter and less complex but the spritz will still be delicious.
For another great Italian aperitivo cocktail, try my Negroni Sbagliato - also made with prosecco and deeply Italian.
FAQs
Aperol is made in Padua and is sweeter and more orange-forward. Select is made in Venice and is more bitter and herbal with a deeper, richer flavor.
Both are spritzes made with prosecco and soda, but the Select version is considered the more authentic local drink of Venice.
Select is available at most well-stocked liquor stores, Italian specialty shops, and online retailers. It has become much easier to find outside of Italy in recent years.
Yes - the Select spritz is the original Venetian aperitivo cocktail. While Aperol became internationally famous, locals in Venice have been drinking Select spritzes since the 1920s.
More Italian Drinks to Try
• Classic Aperol Spritz - the world-famous Italian spritz
• Limoncello Spritz - bright, citrusy, and refreshing
• Negroni Sbagliato - a prosecco twist on the classic Negroni
• What is Italian Aperitivo? - the full guide to Italy's pre-dinner tradition
Planning a Trip to Venice?
Read my complete Venice Italy travel guide for the best things to do, eat, and drink in the city - including where to order the best spritz on the canal.
Or if you only have one day, my one day in Venice itinerary walks you through exactly where to go and what to order.
Did you make this and love it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below:)
I would LOVE IT if you can leave me a star rating and a review down below and let me know your thoughts! It means the world to me to hear how you liked it.
Please Subscribe and give a follow on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok xx
Venetian Spritz (3 Ingredients)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Select aperitivo liqueur
- 4 ounces chilled prosecco
- 1 ounce chilled soda water
- Green olive for garnish optional but traditional
- Orange slice for garnish optional
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill the Glass: Fill a large wine glass generously with ice. A big wine glass is traditional - it keeps the drink cold and gives you room to stir.
- Step 2: Build the Drink: Pour in the Select first, then the prosecco, then the soda water. Add them in this order to preserve the bubbles. Stir gently with a bar spoon - just enough to combine, not enough to flatten the prosecco.
- Step 3: Garnish and Serve: Add a green olive on a cocktail pick and a slice of orange. Serve immediately. The olive is not just decoration - take a bite between sips. It is the Venetian way.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
