Although the Hugo Spritz has been increasingly chipping away at the Aperol Spritz’s long-held position as the It spritz of summer, the Sarti Rosa Aperitivo may have a few things to say about that. After taking European aperitivo hour by storm in 2022, and leaving vacationing Americans longing to find a bottle back home, the electric pink Italian liqueur finally landed on U.S. shores this past summer. What makes it a viral sensation beyond that eye-catching color is the welcome element it brings to the spritz equation: tropical notes.
Campari developed Sarti Rosa Aperitivo as a tribute to the historic Bologna-based distillery Casa Luigi Sarti & Figli, which it acquired in 1995. The aperitivo is made from a neutral grain spirit that is then infused with Sicilian blood orange, mango, and passion fruit juices, creating honeyed tropical aromas that make the 14% ABV liqueur seem sweeter than it ends up tasting. A sip reveals the ripe sweetness of tropical fruits balanced with a tanginess. And in a Sarti Spritz (3 oz. of prosecco, 2 oz. of Sarti, and 1 oz. of club soda) those flavors offset the bright acidity of prosecco while the mild salinity of club soda rounds out the edges. Beyond a spritz, try the aperitivo in any cocktail you want to imbue with tropical vibes, like a Negroni and a Margarita. $29.99, totalwine.com
