Bright citrus, a whisper of rosemary, and a silky finish from good extra virgin olive oil come together in a spritz designed for slow afternoons, pre-dinner gatherings, and hosts who appreciate thoughtful simplicity. In this post, you’ll find everything you need to confidently mix an olive-oil-forward cocktail that feels refined yet approachable – plus hosting tips to make serving it effortless.

A great spritz should feel light, balanced, and quietly impressive. This citrus olive oil spritz leans into fresh-squeezed juice, a subtle herbal sweetness, and high-quality extra virgin olive oil to create a cocktail that feels intentional without being complicated.

It’s made for hosts who value ingredient quality, seasonal flavors, and drinks that pair beautifully with conversation.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS POST

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients
• Equipment
• Step-By-Step Instructions
• Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Hosting Tips
• Other Recipes You’ll Love
• Recipe Card

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

• Designed for effortless hosting and small gatherings
• Light, citrus-forward, and not overly sweet
• Uses simple, high-quality ingredients
• Easy to scale for a crowd
• Naturally elegant without complicated techniques

This is the kind of cocktail that feels just as at home at a casual afternoon get-together as it does at a beautifully set dinner table.

INGREDIENTS

• Freshly squeezed blood orange juice
• Fresh lemon juice
• Rosemary simple syrup
• High-quality extra virgin olive oil
• Chilled sparkling wine (Prosecco or dry Cava)
• Lemon peel, for garnish
• Fresh rosemary sprig, for garnish
• Ice

Fresh juice and good extra virgin olive oil make a noticeable difference here. Choose an olive oil with a sooth, slightly grassy finish rather than anything bitter or overly peppery.

EQUIPMENT

• Large wine glass
• Citrus juicer
• Bar spoon
• Small saucepan (for the simple syrup)
• Fine mesh strainer

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fill a large wine glass generously with ice.
2. Add the blood orange juice, lemon juice, rosemary simple syrup, and olive oil.
3. Gently stir to lightly emulsify the olive oil into the citrus mixture.
4. Top with chilled sparkling wine and give one light stir.
5. Express a lemon peel over the glass to release the oils, then drop it in.
6. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig and serve immediately.

The key is gentle stirring – enough to bring the flavors together without knocking out the bubbles.

MAKE-AHEAD & STORAGE TIPS

• The rosemary simple syrup can be made up to 1 – 2 weeks in advance and stored refrigerated in an airtight container.
• Fresh citrus juice is best squeezed the day of serving for optimal flavor.
• Avoid fully batching the cocktail ahead of time; assemble just before serving to preserve the sparkle and texture.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOSTING TIPS

• Pre-chill your sparkling wine and glassware to keep the drink crisp without excess ice.
• Set up a small spritz station with pre-measured juices and syrup so guests can watch the final pour.
• Pair with light bites like marinated olives, citrus-forward salads, or simple crostini to complement the acidity.

A spritz like this works beautifully as a welcome drink – it sets the tone without overpowering the meal to follow.

OTHER RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

• Roasted Rosemary Cocktail Nut Mix
• Cranberry Sage Spritz with Cranberry Pear Balsamic
• Autumn Apple Cider Fizz

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