Difference between Pirlo and Spritz: history, curiosities and ingredients of two drinks made in Italy
Who doesn't love sipping a good cocktail in company, perhaps after a long day at work? In Italy, but now all over the world, the aperitif is a real ritual, a moment of relaxation and socializing that unites everyone, from north to south.
And among the undisputed protagonists of this tradition we find two iconic drinks: the Pirlo , a typical cocktail from the city of Brescia, and the Spritz, a Venetian pride known throughout the world. For those who are not from those areas, it is possible to get confused, but in reality there is a clear difference between Pirlo and Spritz .
Let's discover together, then, the history, the ingredients and the peculiarities that distinguish these two cornerstones of the Italian aperitif!
What is the difference between Pirlo and Spritz?
Pirlo and Spritz are two cocktails that only seem to be almost the same. In reality, it is a disaster to confuse them, especially for the inhabitants of their respective regions. Among the main differences are their origins :
- Pirlo is the quintessential aperitif of Brescia and its name derives from the Brescia dialect "pirlare", which means "to fall", referring to the way the bitter falls into the wine creating a unique chromatic effect.
- Spritz has its historical roots in the Veneto region of the 19th century, under Austrian rule: Austrian soldiers found the local wines too strong and diluted them with sparkling water, thus creating a primordial version of Spritz. Over time, the recipe evolved with the addition of bitters such as Aperol (or Campari) and the use of prosecco, until it became one of the most popular cocktails in the world .
Another big difference concerns the composition :
- Pirlo ingredients : still white wine, sparkling water, Campari (more rarely Aperol), ice and a slice of orange or lemon for garnish.
- Spritz ingredients : prosecco, seltzer (or soda or tonic water), Aperol (or Campari or Select), ice and a slice of orange for garnish.
The preparation , however, is the same: pour the wine or prosecco into a glass with ice, add the bitters, complete with a splash of seltzer or sparkling water and garnish with a slice of orange or lemon.
Pirlo vs Spritz : two stories, two flavors
As we have seen, Spritz and Pirlo are two different drinks in several aspects. Origins aside, the two cocktails differ substantially in:
- Type of wine : Pirlo uses still white wine, while Spritz uses prosecco or sparkling wine.
- Bitter : the Pirlo traditionally uses Campari, giving a stronger and bitterish taste; the classic Spritz prefers Aperol, for a sweeter and more citrusy flavour.
- Effervescence : the Spritz is naturally more fizzy thanks to the use of prosecco, while the Pirlo gets a light effervescence from the addition of sparkling water.
Sprizzer: the aperitif revolution at your fingertips
Now that you know the difference between Pirlo and Spritz , why not try making them right at home ? With Sprizzer , the machine for making Spritz on tap , you can serve a perfect aperitif in just a few minutes, ideal for parties and evenings spent with lots of friends.
After filling the 3 tanks with the various ingredients (prosecco, Aperol and soda), by lowering a lever you will get up to 20 perfectly balanced, fresh, fizzy and delicious Spritz! With a simple and elegant design, Sprizzer is easy to clean and store, it can be continuously refilled or partially charged and you can take it wherever you want, because it works without the need for electricity or batteries.
Don't miss the chance to become the king or queen of aperitifs with Sprizzer and transform every happy hour into a party full of taste and joy.
Find out what those who have already used Sprizzer think or buy Sprizzer now for yourself or as a unique and original gift!
