St-Germain Spritz, the cocktail du moment
If there is one drink that is the star of the apéro moment, it is the St-Germain Spritz. And that is not without reason. Just by saying the name, you mentally fly to the sixth arrondissement of Paris or to the Croisette in Cannes.
Let me take you back to my summer of last year. Due to my beloved's work, our address was 26, rue d’Enghien for a month. And it gets even better: we took over the rent from Lucien Laviscount – yes, Alfie from Emily in Paris – who had filmed a season there. But that aside. My favorite spot in ‘the tenth’, where we “lived” for a while, was the terrace of Brasserie Floderer. A car-free square, four terraces, only locals, slurping oysters, chatting away. And what did we drink there? Exactly, the St-Germain Spritz. I suspect the waiter refused to serve anything else.
Why the St-Germain Spritz is the chicest cocktail
The Spritz trend is still going strong. And I completely understand why. It is intensely festive, the taste is consistent and stylish. As a wine lover, a good glass of white wine on a terrace can be quite a challenge. But a spritz? That is guaranteed party in your glass.
The St-Germain Spritz is well on its way to becoming the most popular drink of the moment. Firstly, it breathes France; the bottle alone is a jewel for your kitchen or bar. It is light, floral in taste, and fits perfectly with the modern drinker who craves something fresh and refined. The Saint-Germain Spritz stands for carefree enjoyment, for joie de vivre.
A small plate with charcuterie, olives, and some cornichons on the side – the typical French apéro snacks – and you have luck sitting on the table in front of you.
Vive l’apéro: the French art of the aperitif moment
The French have turned it into an art to celebrate the transition from day to evening with a glass in hand, a table full of goodies, and above all: time for each other. Enter: the apéro. This typically French custom takes place somewhere between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM. It is not dinner, but also more than just drinks.
The tradition originated in the 19th century as medical advice – an aperitif would stimulate the appetite – but grew into a beloved social ritual. What do you eat with it? Think of charcuterie, olives, pain de campagne, tapenade, cornichons, and sometimes even a few oysters, if it can be festive.
And the best part? An apéro is never rushed. It’s about catching up, laughing, sipping, sharing, and slowly leaving the day behind you. As the French say: à l’apéro, on prend le temps – during the apéro, you take your time.
How to make the perfect St-Germain Spritz
Garden parties, endless summer evenings, or those golden hours on the beach become even more beautiful with a St-Germain Spritz in your hand.
You make the cocktail like this: mix 40 ml St-Germain, 60 ml MARTINI prosecco, and 60 ml sparkling water in a nice glass. Serve it with a slice of lemon and plenty of ice for a summery and festive effect – and you’re done.
Why St-Germain is so special
St-Germain is – you guessed it – a French liqueur made from fresh elderflowers. These are hand-picked at the end of spring, and it takes about a thousand (!) of those delicate flowers to fill one bottle.
The liqueur is completely natural; no artificial flavors or fragrances are added. You can taste that. For me, this makes it the ultimate apéro drink. Chic, refined, and exactly what you want when the sun slowly sets. C’est nous.
