Spritz Season: Where to Sip Your Way to the Amalfi Coast, Without Leaving DC

Buzz

Dreaming of the Amalfi Coast but stuck on the Red Line? If you can’t have that salty Italian breeze, we can at least raise a fizzy spritz and pretend. Fake it, until you make it.

From classic Aperol to inventive riffs with Midori, bergamot, and even watermelon, the DMV’s spritz scene is right on time. These refreshing cocktails are a bit bitter with an effervescent fizz. 

Here’s where to sip your way into aperitivo hour:

Ama
1501 19th Street NW, DC
A breezy Dupont newcomer channeling la dolce vita.

  • Milano Spritz – A clean, classic take
  • Frozen Bubbly Aperitivo Spritz – Slushy, sparkling, and highly Instagrammable

Caruso’s Grocery
Capitol Hill: 914 14th Street SE, DC
Pike & Rose: 11820 Trade Street, North Bethesda, MD
A retro red-sauce joint where the spritz comes with a side of nostalgia.

  • House Spritz – Mezzodi, Cappelletti, bubbles

Centrolina
974 Palmer Alley NW, DC
Chef Amy Brandwein’s modern Italian offers a DIY approach to aperitivo.

  • Build-your-own: Aperol, Cocchi Americano (Bianco or Rosa), Aveze, Italicus, or Campari, topped with soda or prosecco

Corso
1100 15th Street NW, DC
New happy hour with a colorful, playful spritz menu.

  • Malibu Spritz – Coconut rum, lime, prosecco, pineapple
  • Isola Verde Spritz – Midori, mint, prosecco, melon

Cucina Morini
3011 M Street NW, DC
Italian charmer with a bitter-citrus twist.

  • Sirene Spritz – Sirene Bitter Artigianale, Cocchi Americano, lemon oleo, San Pellegrino Limonata

Fiola Mare
3100 K Street NW, DC
Waterfront views could feel like you are on the coast.

  • Amalfi Spritz – Italicus Bergamot Aperitivo, housemade limoncello, soda, prosecco
  • Campari Frizzante – Campari, navy-strength gin, grapefruit, lemon, egg white, soda

La Bonne Vache
1725 Wisconsin Avenue NW, DC
French bistro flair with a Riviera state of mind.

  • Saint-Tropez – Crémant, St-Germain, dry & blanc vermouth, lemon, apricot, bergamot, guava, mint
  • Le Spritz – Crémant, Lillet Blanc, Aperol, orange oil

L’Ardente
200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, DC
Glitzy and extra,  like its signature spritz.

  • Glam Spritz – Aperol, grapefruit, bergamot, prosecco

Off the Record at The Hay-Adams
800 16th Street NW, DC
Classic with an artful spritz program.

  • The Lady – Campari, Select Aperitivo, Chambord, rose elixir, Cointreau, prosecco, Peychaud’s bitters, candied orange, edible flowers
     Bonus: The Sunset Spritz rooftop pop-up at Top of the Hay returns this August

Olio e Più
1120 15th Street NW, DC
A spritz for every personality on a lengthy aperitivo menu.

  • Watermelon Spritz – Elderflower, watermelon, lemon, prosecco
  • Spiritless Hugo Spritz – Nozecco, elderflower, mint (non-alcoholic)

Patty O’s Café
7141 Main Street, Clifton, VA
A little French café serving big summer seaside vibes.

  • Pom Spritz – Aperol, cranberry, Beefeater gin, pomegranate liqueur, sparkling wine

Red Hen
1822 1st Street NW, DC
Neighborhood staple meets cocktail craft.

  • Summer Spritz – Pierre Ferrand Cognac, Aperol, Luxardo Maraschino, lemon, prosecco

Tarì Trattoria
2002 P Street NW, DC
Newly opened and already shaking up the spritz world with Italian flair.

  • Ramona – Mezcal, prickly pear, Cinque Aperitivo, grapefruit soda
  • Costa – Vodka, limoncello, cedro soda, lemon

The Point
2100 2nd Street SW, DC
Buzzard Point’s waterfront crowd-pleaser, perfect for sipping with seafood.

  • Summer Strawberry Spritz – Elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, rhubarb bitters, sparkling rosé, strawberries

Waldorf Astoria Washington DC
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, DC
Luxe with a spritz as polished as the lobby.

  • Housemade Limoncello Spritz – A zesty sip of Riviera elegance

No Amalfi views? No problem. These bubbly beauties bring the coast to your coupe.