Dirty Spritz with Citrus and Olive Brine Recipe

If you’re looking to shake up your cocktail game with something delightfully tangy and refreshing, this Dirty Spritz with Citrus and Olive Brine Recipe is absolute perfection. I absolutely love how the bright citrus notes mingle with the unexpected salty kick from olive brine—it’s a combo that’ll have your friends asking for seconds, and you’ll find that this spritz is far from your usual fizzy drink. If you’re curious, stick around because I’m sharing all my tips to make this fan-freaking-tastic cocktail right in your own kitchen!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting the right ingredients for this Dirty Spritz with Citrus and Olive Brine Recipe is key to capturing that beautiful balance of flavors. Each element plays its part: the citrus aperitivo brings zestiness, the tonic adds effervescence, lemon juice sharpens the taste, and olive brine introduces that savory punch.

• Citrus Aperitivo: Choose a bright, citrus-forward aperitivo to keep the flavor fresh and lively.
• Tonic Water: I recommend a quality tonic with natural quinine for that subtle bitterness.
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed is non-negotiable — it makes all the difference in brightness.
• Olive Brine: Use brine from good-quality green olives; it provides the “dirty” character without overpowering.
• Olives (for garnish): Green olives, preferably pitted, to complement the brine’s salty notes.
• Thyme Sprig: Adds an herby aroma that elevates the spritz and makes for fancy presentation.

Variations

I love to tinker with this Dirty Spritz with Citrus and Olive Brine Recipe depending on the season or my mood. Feel free to make it your own—here are a few ways I like to switch things up.

• Herbal Twist: Swap thyme for rosemary or basil for a different herbal aroma that complements the olive brine beautifully.
• Spicy Kick: Adding a dash of crushed pink peppercorns or a thin slice of fresh chili can take this spritz to the next level.
• Non-Alcoholic Version: Substitute the citrus aperitivo with a non-alcoholic citrus soda or shrub to keep the refreshing character without the alcohol.
• Seasonal Citrus: Experiment with blood orange or grapefruit aperitivo or juice for colorful and varied citrus notes.

How to Make Dirty Spritz with Citrus and Olive Brine Recipe

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Chill Your Glass

Before you start, I always recommend giving your Collins glass a quick chill in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. It keeps your spritz cold longer without watering it down. Meanwhile, measure out your citrus aperitivo, tonic water, lemon juice, and olive brine — getting everything ready upfront makes mixing a breeze.

Step 2: Build Your Drink in the Glass

Pour 1.5 ounces of citrus aperitivo into the chilled glass, then add 0.5 ounces of fresh lemon juice and a quarter ounce of olive brine. I like to add the olive brine carefully — a little goes a long way here, so start small and add more only if you want it a bit saltier.

Step 3: Add Ice and Top With Tonic

Pile the glass with ice cubes so the spritz stays perfectly chilled. Then gently pour 3 ounces of tonic water over the ice. The ice also helps to blend the flavors as it dilutes them slowly over time.

Step 4: Stir Gently but Thoroughly

Give the drink two gentle stirs with a long spoon or even a chopstick. You want to mix those bold flavors without fizzing all the bubbles out of your tonic water. It sounds simple, but I learned the hard way that too much stirring kills the sparkle!

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Pop in a couple of green olives on a cocktail pick, and add a fresh sprig of thyme right on top. The olives echo the briny base, and thyme adds a lightly herbal fragrance when you bring the glass to your lips. Now you’re ready to enjoy the most refreshing Dirty Spritz with Citrus and Olive Brine Recipe you’ll find anywhere.

How to Serve Dirty Spritz with Citrus and Olive Brine Recipe

Garnishes

I stick to the classic green olives and thyme sprig because they bring exactly the right look and aroma. But sometimes, I’ll swap in a lemon twist or even a few caper berries for a fun salty surprise. I love how garnishes can elevate the drinking experience without complicating it.

Side Dishes

This Dirty Spritz pairs beautifully with light bites like marinated olives, a cheese board with tangy goat cheese, or even crispy roasted almonds. When I serve it for a gathering, I aim for snacks that are flavorful but not too heavy, so the drink remains the star.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I sometimes serve the spritz in elegant stemmed glasses with a thin lemon wheel perched on the rim alongside the olives. Adding a small edible flower on the thyme sprig makes it especially festive and Instagram-ready. Trust me, your guests will appreciate the little extra touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Since this is a fizzy cocktail best enjoyed fresh, leftovers don’t keep well once mixed. If you have extra citrus aperitivo or olive brine, store them separately in the fridge to use for fresh batches later. I’ve learned that mixing in advance leads to flat cocktails that just don’t hit the same.

Freezing

Freezing mixed spritz isn’t something I’ve tried or recommend because the carbonation will be lost and the texture altered. However, if you want to prep some ice cubes using the citrus aperitivo or lemon juice (without tonic), it can help chill and subtly flavor the drinks when serving.

Reheating

Since this cocktail shines best cold and fizzy, reheating isn’t a thing here! Instead, fresh is best—simply gather your ingredients and mix a new batch for every round. I promise, it’s fast and worth it.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Dirty Spritz with Citrus and Olive Brine Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s that one cocktail that surprises everyone—light, refreshing, but with that little salty twist that’s utterly addicting. I used to stick to the classic spritzes only, but when I discovered this twist, it opened up a whole new world of flavors for me. You don’t need to be a cocktail expert to nail this recipe, and I honestly can’t wait for you to try it and hear what you think. So grab your citrus aperitivo and olives, mix one up, and get ready to impress yourself and your guests!

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