Herbal Spritz: 5 original recipes with artisanal liqueurs

Home › Cocktails › Herb Spritz Herb Spritz: 5 Original Recipes with Craft Liqueurs Published on June 5, 2026 | Reading time: 8 minutes The spritz has become the essential summer aperitif in France. But why limit yourself to the classic version when you can reinvent it with craft herb liqueurs? At De Michellot, we have imagined 5 variations of an original spritz that highlight French plants and terroirs. From Alpine genepi to Massif Central verbena, discover how to transform your aperitif into a culinary journey. The spritz: an Italian classic that has become universal Born in the Veneto region of Italy, the spritz is a deceptively simple cocktail: one-third sparkling wine, one-third bitter liqueur, and a splash of sparkling water. Its global popularity stems from this accessible recipe and its incomparable freshness. But it is precisely this simplicity that allows for all reinterpretations. By replacing the traditional Italian liqueur with a French craft herb liqueur, you get an herb spritz with a distinctly local flavor. De Michellot liqueurs are particularly well suited to this exercise, thanks to their complex aromatic profiles and controlled sugar levels. The golden rules for the perfect spritz Before diving into our recipes, here are the fundamental principles for making a successful original spritz every time: Proportions: respect the 3-2-1 ratio (3 parts sparkling, 2 parts liqueur, 1 part sparkling water) as a base, adjust according to your taste. Temperature: all ingredients must be well chilled. Refrigerate your liqueurs and prosecco. Order: ice first, then liqueur, then sparkling wine, then sparkling water. Always from densest to lightest. Glass: a large wine glass or a balloon glass to release the aromas. Garnish: it's not just decorative, it contributes to the aromatic experience. Recipe 1: Alpine Genepi Spritz Our signature liqueur spritz, which captures the spirit of alpine pastures in a glass. Ingredients 6 cl of De Michellot Genepi Liqueur 9 cl of Crémant de Savoie (or prosecco) 3 cl of sparkling water 1 slice of lemon 1 sprig of fresh thyme Ice cubes Preparation Fill a large wine glass with ice cubes. Pour in the Genepi Liqueur, then the Crémant de Savoie, tilting the glass slightly to preserve the bubbles. Add the sparkling water. Garnish with the lemon slice and the sprig of thyme. Tasting notes Genepi brings its characteristic herbaceous notes—wormwood, wild chamomile, a slight vegetal bitterness—which marry admirably with the effervescence of the Crémant. Thyme enhances the aromatic side of this authentically alpine herb spritz. It's an aperitif that evokes high-altitude hikes and flowery meadows. Recipe 2: Lemon Verbena Spritz An herbaceous and luminous original spritz, with absolute freshness. Ingredients 6 cl of De Michellot Verbena Liqueur 9 cl of brut prosecco 3 cl of Seltzer water 2 fresh verbena leaves (or mint) 1 thin slice of cucumber Ice cubes Preparation Place the verbena leaves at the bottom of the glass and press lightly with a spoon without tearing them. Add the ice cubes. Pour in the Verbena Liqueur, the prosecco, then the Seltzer water. Garnish with the cucumber slice tucked against the side of the glass. Tasting notes Lemon verbena offers an exceptionally fresh aromatic profile: lemony, slightly floral, with almost no bitterness. This liqueur spritz is perhaps the most accessible of our selection, perfect for those discovering herb spritzes. The cucumber adds a touch of vegetal freshness that reinforces the summery character of this cocktail. Recipe 3: Bitter Gentian Spritz For bitter lovers, a spritz with a strong character. Ingredients 5 cl of De Michellot Gentian Liqueur 9 cl of Crémant d'Alsace or Bourgogne 3 cl of tonic water (instead of classic sparkling water) 1 orange slice 1 green olive (optional) Ice cubes Preparation Fill a large glass with ice cubes. Pour in the Gentian Liqueur, then the Crémant and the tonic water. Stir gently once. Garnish with the orange slice and, for the adventurous, a green olive skewered on a wooden pick. Tasting notes Gentian is the queen of French bitter plants. Its noble, earthy, and persistent bitterness recalls the great Auvergne aperitifs. In a spritz version, it retains all its character while gaining lightness thanks to the bubbles. Tonic water, used here instead of sparkling water, adds an additional dimension of bitterness. This herb spritz is a true character cocktail, ideal for starting a summer dinner. Recipe 4: Forest Berry & Genepi Spritz An original spritz with woody and fruity notes, combining two of our liqueurs. Ingredients 3 cl of De Michellot Blueberry Liqueur 3 cl of De Michellot Genepi Liqueur 9 cl of rosé Crémant 2 cl of sparkling water A few fresh blueberries 1 sprig of rosemary Ice cubes Preparation Place the blueberries at the bottom of the glass. Add the ice cubes. Pour in both liqueurs, then the rosé Crémant and the sparkling water. Garnish with the sprig of rosemary. Lightly pass a lighter flame over the rosemary to release its essential oils (optional but spectacular technique). Tasting notes This double liqueur spritz is an audacious creation that marries the fruitiness of blueberry with the herbaceous character of genepi. The rosé Crémant brings roundness and color. The result is a complex liqueur spritz, with a magnificent purplish hue, that surprises with every sip due to its aromatic depth. The flambéed rosemary adds a subtle smoky note that evokes the garrigue. Recipe 5: Autumnal Walnut & Orange Spritz A warmer spritz, perfect for cool early summer evenings. Ingredients 5 cl of De Michellot Walnut Liqueur 9 cl of extra-dry prosecco 3 cl of sparkling water 1 orange zest (large strip) 1 cinnamon stick Ice cubes Preparation Express the orange zest over the glass to release its essential oils, then drop it into the glass. Add the ice cubes and the cinnamon stick. Pour in the Walnut Liqueur, the prosecco, then the sparkling water. Stir gently. Tasting notes Walnut liqueur brings warm notes of caramel, vanilla, and wood, which contrast beautifully with the vibrancy of the bubbles. This rounder and more enveloping herb spritz is particularly suitable for June evenings, when the coolness returns after sunset. The orange zest and cinnamon reinforce the warm side without weighing down the cocktail. How to customize your herb spritz Play with garnishes Fresh aromatic herbs are your best allies for customizing an original spritz. Here are some associations that work particularly well with our liqueurs: Genepi + thyme, rosemary, lavender Verbena + mint, basil, lemongrass Gentian + sage, rosemary, grapefruit zest Blueberry + purple basil, lavender, lemon zest Walnut + cinnamon, orange zest, star anise Chestnut + vanilla, nutmeg, dried orange peel Vary the sparkling bases Prosecco is not the only option. Try: A French Crémant (Alsace, Burgundy, Loire, Savoie) to stay 100% French A brut cider for a Norman version A natural sparkling wine (pet-nat) for a more natural approach Wheat beer for an original and light variation Adjust the sugar level De Michellot liqueurs have a controlled sugar level, but you can adjust the sweetness of your spritz by choosing the sparkling wine: a brut nature for a drier result, a demi-sec for more roundness. Herb spritz: a lasting trend The herb spritz is not just a passing fad. It is part of a deeper movement that sees consumers turning towards less sweet, more complex cocktails rooted in a terroir. Craft plant liqueurs perfectly meet this expectation: they bring depth without excessive sugar, originality without preparation complexity. In France, the most renowned cocktail bars already incorporate herb liqueurs into their spritz menus. By preparing these recipes at home with De Michellot liqueurs, you are ahead of this trend. The art of serving a spritz during an aperitif The spritz is essentially an aperitif cocktail. To get the most out of it: Serve it as soon as your guests arrive: its quick preparation and freshness make it the ideal welcome cocktail. Accompany it with light snacks: olives, vegetable chips, tapenade, fresh cheeses, fine charcuterie. Set up a spritz bar: arrange your liqueurs, prosecco, and garnishes, and let everyone create their own original spritz. Think about presentation: use large wine glasses, generous ice cubes, and colorful garnishes for a spectacular visual effect. Create your spritz bar this summer Order our discovery set with our 6 herb and fruit liqueurs to vary the pleasures all summer long. Free delivery for purchases over 60 euros. Order the set Also read: Top 10 summer cocktails with French liqueurs Reinvented Mojito: 6 variations with French liqueurs Which liqueur to choose for a summer aperitif? Discover our De Michellot liqueurs

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Herbal Spritz: 5 original recipes with artisanal liqueurs

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