There’s a charm in simplicity that’s often overlooked—a sense of nostalgia, a feeling of calm—but a spritz captures it. Easy to make, easy to drink, perfect morning or night, upscale or poolside, a spritz is arguably one of the most versatile, effortlessly iconic drinks. Put your feet up, grab a straw, and breathe.
You can drink a bubbly, refreshing spritz just about anywhere, but there’s a wistful piano lounge and jazz bar in East Rochester themed around the Italian classic that might top the list for me. Spritz 146 is owned and operated by Fausto Albano, his brother Massimo, and friend Robert Laviano. The three opened the establishment in December 2024 in addition to their flagship Lemoncello Italian Restaurant & Bar.
The classic Aperol spritz recipe revolves around a 3-2-1 ratio: three parts prosecco, two parts Aperol, a splash of soda water, and an orange slice, of course—but the variations for the cocktail are, quite literally, endless.
“The traditional customer favorite is the Aperol, but the Limoncello and Campari spritzes are also popular. For variations that aren’t as traditional and are specific to Spritz 146, the Montenegro is very popular, and the Amara D’arancia Rossa Spritz is as well,” says Albano. The Limoncello offers a sweeter, fruity finish that’s zesty and refreshing (take this one to the beach), whereas the Campari is more pungent, with herbal, bitter notes (think grapefruit—some love it, others don’t).
“Personally, I would recommend the Anticatorino Spritz,” Albano says. “Not only does it taste good, it’s also a little spicy; it’s hot with hints of cinnamon. I was born twenty miles from the city of Torino, so it’s a favorite of mine for that reason as well. But if someone doesn’t like spicy, then I’d recommend the classic Aperol or Limoncello.”
Spritzes generally have a low ABV, but their strength can vary depending on your liqueur of choice. Amari can be interchanged to create different flavor profiles; some are earthy, while others are floral and citrus forward. Albano explains that if a customer prefers a bitter not listed on the spritz menu, or if they have a specific flavor in mind, the bartender can create a drink to match their interest. As for food pairings, the light, effervescent character of spritzes makes them easy to pair with just about anything.
“People like to drink them before a meal, during, or after—really anytime. The amari are organic; they’re made with roots, plants, flowers, and grass, which creates a very clean, healthy taste that can go with anything,” Albano says. “People might want to order an antipasto board [assorted cheeses and meats, olives, and roasted peppers] and a spritz—that’s very popular in Europe. One of the arancini rice balls—some come with spinach, some with meat—and a spritz would be nice as well.”
Montenegro – Spritz 146 recipe
Undertones: sweet, flowery, honey
Ingredients:
• 1 1/4 ounce Montenegro
• 2 ounces Prosecco
• Splash of soda water
• Slice of orange
Instructions: Fill a large wine glass with ice, add the ingredients in order as listed, stir gently, and garnish!
Spritz 146 offers outdoor seating; an extensive list of appetizers, desserts, and specialty cocktails; and a jazz pianist every night. More information can be found on the website at spritz146.com.
This article originally appeared in the May/June 2026 issue of (585).
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