Berry and Basil Spritz Cocktail Recipe

When I’m craving something light and refreshing, I tend to reach for a berry and basil spritz. There’s something about the sweet berries mixed with fresh basil that just hits the spot—bright, crisp, and honestly, a little bit fancy without trying too hard.

It’s surprisingly easy to throw together, too. You don’t need any wild skills or fancy gear.

Just a few ingredients, some basic tools, and you’re good to go. The steps are straightforward, and you end up with a drink that looks like you put in way more effort than you actually did.

What I love most is how the berries bring natural sweetness, while the basil adds that clean, herbal vibe. The combo just works—on a warm afternoon, at a chill get-together, or even if you’re just treating yourself at home.

Berry And Basil Spritz Cocktail Recipe

Honestly, this drink is a winner because it blends sweet berries, fresh basil, and a bit of sparkle from wine and water. It’s fruity, herby, and citrusy all at once, but it never feels fussy.

Equipment

I try to keep things simple, so I don’t bother with anything complicated. A cocktail shaker is handy for mixing things up, and a muddler is pretty much essential for crushing the berries and basil.

• Cocktail shaker
• Muddler
• Fine mesh strainer
• Jigger or small measuring cup
• Bar spoon
• Wine glass or any big stemmed glass
• Ice cubes

These tools make it easier to get the balance right and help the drink look sharp.

Ingredients

Fresh ingredients make all the difference here. Basil gives a gentle herbal kick, and the raspberries are tart and sweet.

• 6–8 fresh raspberries
• 4–5 fresh basil leaves
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• 3 oz chilled white wine or sparkling wine
• 2 oz sparkling water
• Ice cubes

If the berries are super ripe, I’ll back off on the syrup a bit. If not, I might add a splash more.

Instructions

First, I muddle the raspberries and basil right in the shaker—just enough to get the juices and oils out.

Then I pour in the lemon juice, simple syrup, and a handful of ice before shaking it up.

• Muddle raspberries and basil leaves in the cocktail shaker
• Add lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice
• Shake for 10–15 seconds
• Strain into a wine glass filled with ice
• Top with chilled white wine or sparkling wine
• Add sparkling water for extra fizz
• Stir gently with a bar spoon
• Garnish with a basil leaf or a whole raspberry

Notes

I’ve found that using sparkling wine gives you a richer flavor, but regular white wine with sparkling water keeps things lighter. Both are good—just depends on my mood or what’s in the fridge.

Sometimes I’ll muddle an extra basil leaf if I want more of that herbal note. Or, if I’m feeling like a sweeter drink, I’ll bump up the simple syrup a touch.

Chilling the glass before pouring is a little extra step, but it keeps the spritz cold longer. And honestly, a slice of lemon or a fresh basil sprig on top just makes it look and feel a bit more special.

Tasting Notes

So, the first sip—it’s light, super crisp, almost surprising. Those berries? They add this gentle sweetness that never gets heavy or syrupy.

There’s a fresh, herbal note from the basil that kind of sneaks in and balances out the fruit. I find it really refreshing, honestly.

The bubbles give it just enough sparkle to keep things lively. I get this mix of tart and sweet, and it’s never boring.

The basil hangs around a bit after each sip, which I actually like. It leaves a clean finish on my palate.

I appreciate how the flavors sort of layer up instead of mushing together into one big note. First the berries hit, then the basil shows up, and finally, the fizz just ties it all up.

Flavor highlights I pick up:

• Sweetness: soft and mild from the berries
• Herbal: clean and green from the basil
• Sparkle: light bubbles that lift the drink

The color’s worth mentioning, too. That deep berry hue looks super inviting, and the green basil leaves make everything feel extra fresh and bright.

If you chill it, the drink tastes sharper and way more refreshing. Let it warm up a bit and the berry flavor gets a little fuller, rounder—almost cozy, if that makes sense.