Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this cherry spritz because it’s fruity, fizzy, and incredibly easy to prepare. The cherry adds a rich sweet-tart flavor, while sparkling wine and soda keep the drink light and refreshing.

The heart-shaped ice is what makes this drink especially fun for me. I can make it with plain water or freeze cherry juice into the molds for even more color and flavor.

I also like that I can prepare most of the components ahead of time. Once I’m ready to serve, I simply add my heart-shaped ice to the glass, pour in the ingredients, and finish with a garnish.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Cherry juice
Cherry syrup
Prosecco or other dry sparkling wine
Soda water
Fresh lime juice
Fresh or frozen cherries
Water or cherry juice, for the heart-shaped ice
Fresh mint, optional
Lime slices, optional

I prefer tart cherry juice because its acidity balances the sweetness of the syrup. I use a dry sparkling wine so my finished spritz stays refreshing rather than becoming overly sweet.

Directions

I start by preparing the heart-shaped ice. I fill a heart-shaped silicone ice tray with water or cherry juice and freeze it until completely solid.
When I’m ready to make my spritz, I add several pieces of heart-shaped ice to a large wine glass.
I pour in the cherry juice, cherry syrup, and freshly squeezed lime juice.
I gently stir the ingredients together so the cherry syrup is evenly distributed.
I slowly pour in the chilled Prosecco.
I top my drink with a splash of cold soda water for extra fizz.
I give the spritz one gentle stir, taking care not to knock too much carbonation out of the drink.
I garnish with fresh cherries, a lime slice, or a small sprig of mint.
I serve my cherry spritz immediately while it’s cold and bubbly.

Servings and Timing

I prepare this recipe as one generous spritz and multiply the ingredients when I’m serving a group. I make the heart-shaped ice several hours ahead so it has plenty of time to freeze completely.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Ice freezing time: about 4 hours
Mixing time: 5 minutes
Total active time: about 10 minutes
Total time including freezing: about 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 1
Yield: 1 cherry spritz

Variations

For a stronger cherry flavor, I make my heart-shaped ice with cherry juice instead of water. As the ice melts, I get even more cherry flavor without diluting my drink as much.

When I want a sweeter spritz, I add a little extra cherry syrup. For a tarter drink, I increase the fresh lime juice.

I can make a rosé version by replacing the Prosecco with sparkling rosé. I love how this enhances the pink and red colors of the drink.

For an alcohol-free version, I replace the sparkling wine with alcohol-free sparkling wine or additional sparkling water. I can also use lemon-lime soda when I want a sweeter mocktail.

I sometimes freeze small pieces of cherry, edible flowers, or mint inside my heart-shaped ice for an extra decorative touch.

Storage/Reheating

I always serve my cherry spritz freshly assembled because sparkling wine and soda gradually lose their carbonation after opening and mixing.

I can prepare the heart-shaped ice well ahead of time and keep it frozen until I’m ready to serve. Once frozen solid, I transfer the ice to a freezer-safe container or bag to prevent it from absorbing freezer odors.

I can also mix the cherry juice, cherry syrup, and lime juice ahead and refrigerate the mixture in a covered container for up to 2 days. I wait to add the sparkling wine and soda until serving.

I don’t reheat this drink because I serve it cold. I keep all my ingredients well chilled so the heart-shaped ice melts more slowly.

FAQs

How do I make heart-shaped ice?

I pour water, cherry juice, or another suitable liquid into a heart-shaped silicone ice mold and freeze it until completely solid. I prefer silicone molds because I can usually release the hearts without breaking them.

Can I make this cherry spritz without alcohol?

Yes. I replace the Prosecco with alcohol-free sparkling wine, sparkling water, or a combination of sparkling water and lemon-lime soda. I still get a refreshing, bubbly cherry drink.

What type of cherry juice should I use?

I prefer tart cherry juice because its bright acidity works well with sweet cherry syrup and sparkling wine. I can use sweeter cherry juice too, but I reduce the syrup if necessary to keep my drink balanced.

Can I make cherry spritzes ahead of time?

I prepare the cherry and lime mixture ahead, but I don’t add my sparkling ingredients until serving. This helps me keep every spritz fresh and bubbly.

What can I put inside heart-shaped ice cubes?

I like adding small pieces of cherry, mint leaves, or edible flowers. I can also use cherry juice instead of water to create vibrant red or pink ice hearts that add extra flavor as they melt.

Conclusion

Cherry spritz with heart-shaped ice gives me an easy way to make a simple sparkling drink feel festive and memorable. I love the combination of sweet-tart cherry, fresh lime, crisp bubbles, and decorative ice hearts. Whether I’m making it for a romantic occasion, celebration, or relaxed gathering, I can prepare the ice ahead and assemble this colorful spritz in just a few minutes.

Cherry Spritz with Heart-Shaped Ice Recipe

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Cherry spritz with heart-shaped ice is a colorful sparkling cocktail combining sweet-tart cherry, fresh lime, dry Prosecco, and refreshing soda water. Decorative heart-shaped ice makes this bubbly drink especially festive for celebrations and romantic occasions.

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: About 4 hours 10 minutes, including freezing
Yield: 1 cherry spritz
Category: Beverage
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Diet: Vegan

Instructions

Fill a heart-shaped silicone ice tray with water or cherry juice and freeze until completely solid, about 4 hours.
When ready to serve, add several pieces of heart-shaped ice to a large wine glass.
Pour the cherry juice, cherry syrup, and freshly squeezed lime juice into the glass.
Stir gently until the cherry syrup is evenly incorporated.
Slowly pour in the chilled Prosecco or other dry sparkling wine.
Top with a splash of cold soda water for additional fizz.
Give the spritz one gentle stir, taking care to preserve as much carbonation as possible.
Garnish with fresh cherries, a lime slice, or a small sprig of fresh mint.
Serve immediately while cold and bubbly.

Notes

Tart cherry juice provides acidity that balances the sweetness of the cherry syrup.
Use a dry sparkling wine to keep the finished spritz refreshing rather than overly sweet.
Make the heart-shaped ice with cherry juice for extra color and cherry flavor as the ice melts.
Adjust the sweetness with additional cherry syrup or increase the fresh lime juice for a tarter drink.
Sparkling rosé can replace Prosecco for an especially colorful rosé cherry spritz.
For an alcohol-free version, replace the sparkling wine with alcohol-free sparkling wine, sparkling water, or lemon-lime soda.
Small pieces of cherry, mint leaves, or edible flowers can be frozen inside the heart-shaped ice for decoration.
Heart-shaped ice can be prepared well ahead and transferred to a freezer-safe container or bag once completely frozen.
The cherry juice, cherry syrup, and lime juice can be combined and refrigerated in a covered container for up to 2 days.
Add the sparkling wine and soda only immediately before serving to preserve their carbonation.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cherry spritz
Calories: 180 kcal
Sugar: 18 g
Sodium: 15 mg
Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 22 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg