How to Make a Gin Spritz: Refreshing Cocktail Recipe

This simple 3-ingredient gin spritz is my go-to cocktail: just gin, jam, and bubbles. It’s light, fizzy, and endlessly adaptable. The jam brings natural sweetness, bright color, and fruit character—swap flavors depending on the season or your mood to make a refreshing, effortless drink every time.

Why You’ll Love This Gin Spritz

This spritz is a riff on a classic gin-and-jam cocktail, updated with sparkling water for a lighter finish. It’s the perfect drink when you want something that feels a little special without fuss.

Versatile occasion: Great for happy hour, brunch, backyard gatherings, or a quiet evening on the porch.

Only 3 ingredients: Gin, jam, and a sparkling mixer—simple and fast.

Endless flavor options: Use strawberry, blackberry, fig, peach, or any jam you love to change the profile.

Looks impressive: Garnished with fresh fruit or edible flowers it feels elevated, even though it’s effortless to make.

Gin Spritz Ingredients

Gin, jam and lemon-lime sparkling water to make a gin spritz.

Gin: Choose a light, botanical gin that complements fruit—avoid overly juniper-forward styles for this drink.

Jam: Any good-quality jam with real fruit works. Popular picks are strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry.

Sparkling Mixer: Lemon-lime sparkling water or a low-sugar soda adds bright fizz. You can also use prosecco for a wine-style spritz.

Best Gin for a Gin Spritz

Pick a gin that is floral and balanced rather than aggressively piney. Gins with cucumber, citrus, or floral notes pair especially well with berry or stone-fruit jams. Reserve heavier, classic London Dry gins for cocktails that need a stronger juniper backbone.

How to Make a Gin Spritz

pouring a cocktail into a large wine glass

Step 1: Combine. Add 2 oz gin and 1–2 tbsp jam to a shaker filled with ice.
Step 2: Shake. Shake vigorously for 20–30 seconds until well chilled and the jam is incorporated.
Step 3: Strain & Top. Strain into a glass over fresh ice and top with about 3–5 oz lemon-lime sparkling water or your preferred bubbly.
Step 4: Garnish. Finish with fresh berries, a citrus twist, mint, or an edible flower for a pretty presentation.

Beautiful gin spritz in a wine glass with cherries and edible flowers.

Recipe Tips & Variations

Jam choices: Raspberry, blueberry, peach, or fig all create distinct profiles—strawberry and raspberry are bright and fruit-forward, fig and grape add depth.

Spirit swap: If gin isn’t your thing, substitute vodka for a cleaner, smoother base that highlights the jam flavor.

Different fizz: Try tonic water for a slightly bitter contrast, or prosecco for a celebratory, wine-based spritz.

Garnish tips: Fresh berries, a lemon wheel, dehydrated citrus, or a small sprig of mint elevate the look and aroma. Edible flowers are optional but very pretty.

Best Jam Flavors for a Gin Spritz

Try these popular jam pairings and experiment to find your favorite:

Strawberry: A classic choice that gives a delicate pink hue and familiar sweet-tart flavor.
Blackberry: Rich and bold; pairs nicely with floral or cucumber-forward gins.
Raspberry: Bright and slightly tart, ideal for a refreshing, summery spritz.
Fig: Earthy and sophisticated—great for autumn or an elegant evening cocktail.
Peach: Light and juicy; use in warm weather with citrusy sparkling water.
Grape: Sweet and nostalgic; works well in non-alcoholic versions too.

FAQs

Can I use prosecco? Yes. Replace the sparkling water with about 3 oz chilled prosecco for a wine-forward spritz. For prosecco, gently stir the gin and jam together instead of shaking to preserve the bubbles.

What is a gin spritz? A gin spritz is a light, bubbly cocktail made with gin and a sparkling mixer (sparkling water, soda, or prosecco). Adding jam gives sweetness and color and makes the drink customizable.

How is a gin spritz different from a gin fizz? A gin fizz typically uses fresh citrus, a sweetener, and club soda and is often shaken until frothy. A spritz is simpler and served over ice with a bubbly top—lighter and quicker to make.

Can I make this a mocktail? Yes. Omit the gin and use a botanical or citrus sparkling water to keep the flavor bright. The jam still provides sweetness, color, and fruit character.

More Spritz Ideas

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Easy Rosé Spritzer

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Lemon Spritz

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Apple Cider Spritz

If you like this spritz, try other simple gin cocktails like a Bee’s Knees or a Lemon Drop Martini to explore bright, citrus-forward flavors.

Follow for more cocktail ideas, seasonal recipes, and easy entertaining tips.

Rating: 5 from 2 votes

Gin Spritz Recipe

By: Eden

This gin spritz is quick to make, lightly floral and fruity, and perfect for warm afternoons. It uses just three main ingredients and is easily customized by changing the jam.

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 0 mins

Total: 5 mins

Servings: 1 cocktail

Ingredients

2 ounces gin
1–2 tbsp jam (blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, peach, etc.)
3–5 ounces lemon-lime sparkling water or prosecco/tonic
Ice and fresh fruit or herbs for garnish

Instructions

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the jam and gin.
Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds until the jam is well incorporated and the mixture is chilled.
Strain the drink into a large wine glass filled with ice.
Top with lemon-lime sparkling water (or prosecco) and gently stir once.
Garnish with fresh fruit, a citrus peel, a sprig of mint, or an edible flower.

Notes

If you prefer no alcohol, omit the gin and use a botanical or citrus sparkling water—this makes a lovely mocktail.

Adjust the jam amount to taste; start with 1 tablespoon for a subtler sweetness or use 2 tablespoons for a more fruit-forward drink.

Swap mixers to vary the drink: tonic water adds bitterness, soda water keeps it clean, and prosecco creates a more elegant spritz.

For a layered look, briefly stir the gin and jam together, then pour over ice and top with bubbles to preserve some color separation.

Nutrition

Calories: ~240 kcal, Carbohydrates: ~28 g, Sugar: ~19 g

Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients and serving size.