If you’ve had your fill of Aperol Spritz and want something a little softer and less bitter, the Emma Spritz is worth a look. It’s Renais Gin’s own signature cocktail, built around their gin, a splash of Chablis, elderflower, lemon, and a whisper of gentian bitterness from Suze. Light, floral, and easy to drink all afternoon.
The Story Behind the Emma Spritz
Renais Gin was founded in 2023 by siblings Emma and Alex Watson, built on their family’s decades of winemaking history at Domaine Watson in France. The gin itself is distilled from upcycled wine grapes, a nod to reducing waste in the winemaking process, and it’s noticeably softer and more floral than a classic London Dry.
The Emma Spritz is the brand’s own signature serve, designed to show off that softness. Instead of leaning on bitterness the way an Aperol Spritz does, it uses elderflower and a splash of Chablis to keep things light, with just two dashes of Suze to add some backbone.
Emma Spritz Ingredients
- 30 ml Renais Gin, the floral, food-friendly base.
- 10 ml Domaine Watson Chablis (or another dry white wine), adds acidity and body.
- 20 ml elderflower syrup, brings the floral sweetness.
- 20 ml fresh lemon juice, keeps it bright instead of cloying.
- 2 dashes Suze gentian liqueur, a bittersweet French aperitif that adds depth without overpowering the drink.
- 80 ml soda water, for lift and dilution.
A note on sourcing: Domaine Watson Chablis and Suze can both be tricky to find outside major cities. Any dry white wine works as a Chablis substitute, and Avèze is the closest widely available stand-in for Suze if you can’t track it down.
If you want to explore more gin styles beyond Renais, the classic Gin Martini and the Gin Gimlet both show how differently gin can behave depending on what it’s paired with.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Large wine glass, the traditional spritz vessel, gives the drink room to breathe.
- Bar spoon, for a gentle stir that won’t kill the bubbles.
- Jigger, for accurate pours, this drink has more moving parts than a simple two-ingredient cocktail, so precision matters more here.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Stirring too hard. This isn’t an Old Fashioned. A vigorous stir knocks the carbonation out of the soda water and leaves the drink flat. Stir gently, just enough to combine.
- Skipping the Suze. It’s only two dashes, but it’s what keeps the drink from tasting like straight elderflower cordial. Don’t leave it out even if it feels optional.
- Using small ice. Small cubes melt fast and dilute the delicate balance of lemon, elderflower, and wine faster than the drink is meant to handle.
- Substituting sweet wine for the Chablis. A dry white keeps the drink balanced. A sweeter wine pushes it too far into dessert-cocktail territory.
Tips for the Best Emma Spritz
- Chill your glass and all your ingredients ahead of time, this drink has less alcohol volume to keep things cold on its own, so starting cold matters more here than in a spirit-forward cocktail.
- Add the soda water last and pour it gently down the side of the glass to preserve carbonation.
- Garnish with a lemon slice and a frozen grape, which doubles as a cooling agent that won’t water down the drink as it melts.
Looking for more options beyond Aperol and Renais? Check out 15 Great Spritz Cocktails for a full rundown of styles, from the bittersweet Campari Spritz to botanical, non-alcoholic versions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Emma Spritz made of? Renais Gin, a dry white wine like Chablis, elderflower syrup, fresh lemon juice, Suze gentian liqueur, and soda water, served over ice in a large wine glass.
Can I make this without Suze? You can, but it changes the character of the drink. Suze adds a gentian bitterness that balances the sweetness of the elderflower. Avèze is the closest substitute if Suze isn’t available near you.
Is Renais Gin available outside the UK? Yes, Renais expanded into the US market in 2024 and has continued to grow its international availability since. Check their site for current retailers in your country.
What Lush Life Loves It
The Emma Spritz is proof that a spritz doesn’t have to lean on bitterness to be refreshing. It’s floral, bright, and easy-drinking, the kind of cocktail that works just as well for a solo afternoon as it does for a table of guests.
If you’re into Renais Gin, don’t stop here, check out the Gin Fizz or Last Word next for two more ways gin can shine outside a classic G&T.
How do you take your spritz? Drop your favorite variation in the comments, I want to hear it. Cheers!
Here is the recipe
Emma Spritz
Ingredients
- 30 ml Renais Gin
- 10 ml Domaine de Watson Chablis
- 20 ml Elderflower syrup
- 20 ml fresh lemon juice
- 2 dashes Suze gentian liqueur
- 80 ml soda water
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a wine glass filled with ice.
- Stir gently
- Top with soda water and stir again
- Garnish with a lemon slice and frozen grape