Bacan Winter Spritz

Holiday cocktails are everywhere this time of year, but the Bacan Winter Spritz has something special going on. It is light, fresh, and full of winter citrus, which makes it a great break from the heavier drinks that usually show up in December. The first time I made this spritz, I brought it to a small get-together with close friends, and people kept asking what was in it. That is when I realized how much this drink stands out. It has color, aroma, and a clean flavor that makes you want to take your time with it.

This winter drink recipe also gives you a chance to try Bacan Guaro, a spirit that may be new to you but fits perfectly in a spritz. Its soft notes of citrus, light spice, and herbs mix smoothly with bubbly prosecco and fresh grapefruit. If you want a drink that feels cheerful without being too sweet, this is the one. It works for quiet nights, bigger parties, and those moments when you want something simple but still festive.

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Why You’ll Love This Winter Spritz

A good spritz should feel effortless yet flavorful, and this one delivers on every level. The Bacan Winter Spritz is bright, aromatic, and beautifully balanced, mixing winter botanicals with crisp citrus and bubbles. It works for nearly any occasion, from holiday brunches to cocktail hours where you want something that looks elegant without requiring a lot of time.

Here is why this holiday cocktail will become your seasonal favorite:

• Refreshing but seasonal, thanks to the citrus and botanical notes.
• Fast to prepare, which makes it perfect for hosting or last minute gatherings.
• Crowd friendly flavor, since it is not too sweet and not too strong.
• Elevated presentation with fresh citrus, star anise, and a rosemary sprig.
• Customizable, whether you want more bubbles, more citrus, or a lighter spritz.
• Perfect for winter hosting, especially if you want something sparkling without going full champagne.

Once you try it, you will see why this spritz becomes a go to for cold weather months.

Ingredients for the Bacan Winter Spritz

This drink works so well because each ingredient brings something special to the glass. The Bacan Guaro creates the backbone, the white grape juice offers softness, the elderflower liqueur adds floral sweetness, and the citrus ties everything together. When topped with prosecco, the whole drink becomes airy and bright.

What You Need

• 1.5 oz Bacan Guaro 29
• 1 oz white grape juice
• 1/2 oz elderflower liqueur
• Top with prosecco
• 0.5 oz fresh citrus juice (grapefruit, orange, and lemon blend)
• Citrus wedge for garnish
• Star anise for garnish
• Rosemary sprig for garnish

Every part of this spritz supports the bright, botanical profile that Bacan Guaro is known for. The citrus blend boosts acidity and adds winter flavor. The white grape juice keeps the drink soft and juicy. Elderflower liqueur gives a floral sweetness that complements the anise aroma in Bacan. The prosecco completes the drink with bubbles that lift everything into a refreshing winter spritz.

Suggested Liquor Brands and Substitutions

Since this drink is built around Bacan Guaro 29, it is important to understand what makes it the best choice for this recipe. Bacan is a small-batch Colombian aguardiente made from first press organic sugarcane juice, organic Spanish star anise, and water. It is distilled five times and slowly proofed down, which keeps it smooth and clean with no added sugar.

The flavor carries light hints of anise, black pepper, rosemary, citrus, and ginger, finishing crisp at 29 percent ABV. This mix of subtle spice and bright citrus is exactly why it blends so nicely with winter fruit and bubbles.

Best Choice:

• Bacan Guaro 29: Smooth, light, and perfect for spritzes with winter citrus.

I strongly recommend Bacan as the only spirit for the best flavor. Its balance and softness match this drink in a way other spirits do not. the spritz’s bright character, the closer you can stay to Bacan’s light anise and citrus notes, the better.

Equipment and Glassware

You do not need special tools to make this winter drink recipe. A shaker, strainer, and a good wine glass are all you need. The wine glass shape helps show off the bubbles, garnishes, and pale winter color.

Helpful Tools

• Shaker tin
• Strainer
• Wine glass or stemless wine glass
• Jigger or measuring cup
• Ice

A clear wine glass delivers the prettiest presentation, since you can see the citrus, herbs, and star anise floating at the top.

How to Make the Bacan Winter Spritz

This Bacan Winter Spritz comes together quickly, which makes it great for entertaining. The hardest part is choosing your citrus blend. Everything else is as simple as shaking, straining, and topping with prosecco.

Step by Step

1. Add Bacan Guaro 29, white grape juice, elderflower liqueur, and the fresh citrus juice to a shaker tin. Fill with ice and shake until chilled.
2. Strain into a wine glass filled with fresh ice.
3. Top with prosecco or club soda for a lighter version.
4. Garnish with a citrus wedge, star anise pod, and rosemary sprig.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy your Bacan Winter Spritz while the bubbles are fresh.

If you want a stronger botanical flavor, increase the Bacan by a half ounce. If you want more lift, add more prosecco and reduce the citrus slightly.

Pro Tips for a Perfect Holiday Spritz

Little adjustments can make a spritz go from good to unforgettable. These tips help dial in the perfect balance for your holiday cocktail lineup.

• Use chilled ingredients so the spritz stays crisp and bubbly.
• Do not overshake the citrus, since too much dilution can mute the flavor.
• Try pink grapefruit for a pretty color and bright acidity.
• Add prosecco slowly to avoid flattening the bubbles.
• Crack the rosemary sprig lightly before adding it so the aroma opens up.
• Use fresh citrus only, since bottled juices lack brightness.
• Choose a dry prosecco, which keeps the drink balanced and not too sweet.
• Prep garnishes ahead if you are serving a crowd.

Once you get comfortable, play around with the proportions to find the version you like best.

Variations

The Bacan Winter Spritz is flexible and fun to customize. If you want to switch things up for different guests or different holidays, try one of these twists:

• Cranberry Spritz: Add a splash of cranberry juice for color and tartness.
• Ginger Citrus Spritz: Add ginger syrup to highlight Bacan’s natural ginger notes.
• Holiday Spiced Spritz: Add a cinnamon stick or clove studded citrus slice.
• Rosemary Sparkler: Add a small spoonful of rosemary simple syrup.
• Non Alcoholic Spritz: Use non alcoholic spirits, white grape juice, citrus juice, and club soda.

Each variation keeps the refreshing spritz character while shifting the flavor profile.

When to Serve and Pairings

This spritz shines during gatherings where you want something festive but not too heavy. It works beautifully as a welcome drink, holiday brunch beverage, or cocktail hour sipper.

Try pairing it with:

• Soft cheeses, like brie or goat cheese
• Crisp salads, especially with citrus vinaigrettes
• Seafood appetizers, like shrimp cocktail or smoked salmon
• Light desserts, such as lemon bars or almond cookies
• Other spritz recipes, including an Aperol Spritz or a St. Germain Spritz

Because it is bubbly and crisp, it plays well with anything fresh, bright, or lightly sweet.

Storage and Serving Notes

Spritzes are best served fresh, but you can prep some parts ahead of time.
The Bacan, grape juice, elderflower liqueur, and citrus juice can be mixed together and kept in the fridge for several hours before guests arrive.

• Do not add prosecco early, since the bubbles fade quickly.
• Keep the pitcher cold so the spritz pours crisp.
• Add garnishes right before serving so they stay vibrant.

If you are serving a large group, multiply the base ingredients and top each glass individually with prosecco.

FAQs

What does Bacan Guaro taste like?
It has light anise, citrus, ginger, rosemary, and black pepper notes. The finish is smooth and crisp.

Can I use a different sparkling wine?
Yes. Cava or dry sparkling rosé work well. Just choose something not too sweet.

Is this spritz sweet?
It is lightly sweet, but the citrus and prosecco keep it balanced.

Can I make this as a pitcher drink?
Absolutely. Mix all ingredients except prosecco. Pour into glasses and top with bubbles right before serving.

Can I use bottled citrus juice?
Fresh juice is strongly recommended. Bottled citrus will make the drink taste dull.

More Cocktails to Try

If you loved this Bacan Winter Spritz, here are a few more refreshing, citrus forward, or bubbly holiday cocktails to explore:

• Cranberry Mimosa: Tart, sparkling, and perfect for holiday brunch.
• Pomegranate Spritz: Light, fruity, and festive with winter citrus.
• Sparkling Elderflower Gin: Soft, floral, and bubbly.
• Grapefruit Rosemary Gin and Tonic: Crisp with a herbal twist.
• Holiday French 75: A sparkling classic with a winter citrus upgrade.

Each of these cocktails brings something fresh and festive to the season.