Il Fiorito

Spritzes and sunshine go hand in hand. Sipping one on a sunny day in northern Italy? Now, that’s practically a religious experience. During a recent trip to Lake Como, I experienced exactly that.

When I first arrived at Lake Como’s famed glittering shores, I was in search of a drink that matched the moment. While a Dry Martini is a go-to — and plenty were ordered at Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s T-Bar — my arrival that day was around 3 p.m., which, even for the most dedicated of Martini drinkers, felt a bit early for a glassful of gin. So, my quest for something crisp, refreshing, and afternoon-appropriate began.

The Aperol Spritz is the quintessential drink for afternoon sipping in Italy. Although the cocktail’s roots are found in the Veneto, the aperitivo favorite has become synonymous with Italian drinking culture. Various riffs have also found their moment in the sun, such as the ever-popular Hugo Spritz, which swaps Aperol for elderflower liqueur and mint for a cooling, herbaceous take.

Perched at Tremezzo’s Da Giacomo al Lago pool bar, I noticed both spritz options on the menu, but couldn’t decide: bittersweet citrus or herbaceous elderflower? At that very moment, a serendipitous mashup of the two waltzed by on a tray — Il Fiorito, the satisfying solution to a spritz quandary.

The spritz fusion you didn’t know you needed

Made with vodka, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, Aperol, lemon juice, and Prosecco, the Il Fiorito unites the best of both the Hugo Spritz and Aperol Spritz. 

According to Michele Mozzato, head bartender at Grand Hotel Tremezzo, the drink’s inspiration comes from the legendary hotel’s lush, centuries-old gardens and dazzling lake backdrop. “We wanted to capture the true essence of a crisp spring afternoon spent relaxing by our pool,” he says. “Our goal was to bottle that exact feeling — the refreshing breeze off the lake, the scent of blooming flowers, and the effortless elegance of a sunny Italian afternoon.”

To make the cocktail, Mozzato starts with a high-quality vodka for structure. He layers in Aperol for its bright citrus notes, then St-Germain, which introduces a delicate floral touch. The drink’s sweetness is balanced by fresh lemon juice, and topped with Prosecco for a crisp, lively effervescence.

While Mozzato loves classic spritzes for their simplicity, he says that the Il Fiorito cocktail offers a fresh, elegant, and complex alternative. “This cocktail speaks to spritz lovers who are looking for something more refined, but it also appeals to those who appreciate slightly more layered drinks,” he says. “It evolves beautifully on the palate.”

This modern take on the classic Italian aperitivo makes pre-dinner golden hour the perfect time to enjoy it. Whether you’re lakeside in northern Italy or northern Michigan, Mozzato recommends sipping this drink any time a refreshing cocktail is called for.