Vanilla Bean Spritz Cocktail Recipe For A Refreshing Twist

Looking for a drink that’s both simple and a little out of the ordinary? A vanilla bean spritz might just be what you need.

This cocktail brings together sparkling wine, soda water, and real vanilla bean, giving you a light, refreshing flavor. It’s not hard to make, and honestly, it’s a nice twist on the classic spritz.

I’ve found this drink works for a laid-back night or when you’ve got a couple friends over. The vanilla adds this mellow sweetness that never feels too much, and the bubbles keep everything lively.

Once you try it, you’ll probably be surprised at how a few ingredients can make something that feels a bit fancy.

Here’s the recipe, broken down step by step. I’ll walk you through the tools and ingredients you’ll want on hand.

I’ll also toss in some tasting notes, just so you know what you’re getting into.

Vanilla Bean Spritz Cocktail Recipe

The thing I like most about this cocktail? It brings together the smoothness of vanilla bean with that bubbly, refreshing finish you get from a spritz.

You get a little sweetness, some fizz, and a hint of bitters, which keeps things interesting.

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker – I use this for mixing the vanilla bean syrup and liquids together.
• Fine mesh strainer – Super useful for catching any stray vanilla bean bits or pulp.
• Bar spoon – It’s great for stirring gently so you don’t lose all that nice carbonation.
• Measuring jigger – I rely on this to keep my pours consistent.
• Cocktail glass – I like a stemmed glass, like a wine or spritz glass, since it helps the drink stay colder.
• Small saucepan – Needed for making the vanilla bean syrup with sugar.
• Citrus peeler or knife – I just grab whatever’s handy to cut the orange peel for garnish.

I usually set all these out before I start—makes things much easier, trust me.

Ingredients

• 1 vanilla bean (split and scraped)
• ½ cup sugar (for syrup)
• ½ cup water (for syrup)
• 3 oz sparkling wine or prosecco
• 1 oz soda water
• 1 oz vanilla bean syrup
• 2 dashes bitters
• Ice cubes
• Orange peel (for garnish)

First, I make the syrup by simmering sugar, water, and the vanilla bean until the sugar’s gone. Once it’s cooled, I strain it and stash it in a jar.

That syrup is what really gives the cocktail its personality.

Instructions

• Prep the vanilla bean syrup ahead of time and let it cool off.
• Fill up your cocktail glass with ice cubes.
• Pour in 1 oz vanilla bean syrup.
• Add 3 oz sparkling wine and 1 oz soda water.
• Drop in 2 dashes bitters for a little balance.
• Stir gently with a bar spoon—don’t go wild or you’ll lose the bubbles.
• Grab an orange peel, express it over the drink, and toss it in for garnish.

I always stir super gently because flat spritzes are just sad. And the orange peel? It gives the drink this lovely aroma that plays so well with the vanilla.

Notes

That syrup will keep in the fridge for about a week, which is handy. If you want a bigger vanilla kick, just let the bean hang out in the syrup a bit longer before straining.

The sparkling wine you pick totally changes the vibe. Dry prosecco keeps it crisp, but if you use something sweeter, the whole drink gets richer.

Sometimes I’ll swap in a lemon twist if I’m craving more citrus. And, honestly, chilling your glasses ahead of time helps the spritz stay cold without getting watered down.

Tasting Notes

So, that first sip? Honestly, it’s crisp and really refreshing. The bubbles kind of lift up this gentle sweetness, and there’s nothing heavy about it at all.

The vanilla bean brings in this soft, warm flavor—almost cozy, actually—that sort of balances out the sharpness from the citrus. There’s a sweetness, but it’s pretty subtle; it never tries to take over.

Then you get these herbal notes from the spritz base, which add just a hint of bitterness. That little edge makes the drink feel more interesting, not just another sweet thing.

I have to say, the aroma is doing a lot of the work here. Right away, that vanilla scent hits, making the whole thing feel smooth and, I don’t know, just really inviting.

Flavor highlights I pick up:

• Sweetness: mild, mostly from the vanilla and citrus
• Bitterness: light, thanks to the spritz base
• Aroma: warm vanilla, plus some fresh citrus notes
• Texture: bubbly, crisp, and honestly super easy to sip