What's in a Prosecco Spritz? The Drink Behind the Cruise

It's right there in the name: Prosecco Cruises. Before you step aboard and the bubbles start flowing across Biscayne Bay, it's worth knowing what's actually in the glass. The Prosecco spritz is the unofficial drink of Miami afternoons on the water — light, sparkling and built for sunshine. Here's the simple story behind it, how it stacks up against the spritzes and mimosas you already know, and why it's the perfect bay drink.

So, what exactly is a Prosecco spritz?

At its heart, a Prosecco spritz is sparkling wine, dressed for a party. Prosecco is Italy's famous sparkling wine, made mostly from the Glera grape in the Veneto region in the country's northeast. Compared to Champagne it's typically fruitier, a little softer, and far more easygoing — think crisp green apple, pear and a clean burst of fizz rather than the toastier, yeastier notes of Champagne.

Turn that Prosecco into a spritz and you add a splash of soda water, plenty of ice, and a twist of citrus — a lemon wheel, an orange slice, sometimes a few berries. That's it. The soda lengthens the drink and keeps it light on its feet, the ice keeps it cold in the Miami heat, and the citrus brightens every sip. It's effortless, which is exactly the point.

Prosecco spritz vs. Aperol spritz

This is the question everyone asks, so let's settle it. The world-famous Aperol spritz adds Aperol — a bittersweet Italian aperitif flavored with orange, rhubarb and herbs — to that Prosecco-and-soda base. Aperol is what gives the classic spritz its glowing sunset-orange color and its grown-up, slightly bitter finish.

A straight Prosecco spritz leaves the Aperol out. The result is cleaner, drier and more obviously bubbly — it tastes like sparkling wine with a refreshing splash, not like a bitter aperitif. If you love the look of an Aperol spritz but find the bitterness a bit much, the Prosecco version is your drink. It's crowd-pleasing in a way that almost no one says no to, which matters a lot when you've got a boat full of bachelorettes, birthday crews and first-timers to keep happy.

And how is it different from a mimosa?

Mimosas and Prosecco spritzes are cousins, not twins. A mimosa mixes sparkling wine with orange juice — usually close to half and half — so it leans sweet, juicy and brunchy. A Prosecco spritz swaps that juice for soda water, so it stays crisp and dry with far less sugar. On a long, sunny cruise that difference is everything: the spritz won't fill you up or leave you in a sugar slump an hour in. It's made for pacing, sipping and topping up.

Why it's the perfect bay drink

Three reasons the Prosecco spritz was practically invented for a Miami cruise. First, it's light. Prosecco sits around 11 percent ABV, and once it's stretched with soda and ice, a spritz is gentle enough to enjoy across a whole sailing without losing the afternoon. Second, it's refreshing — bubbles and citrus are exactly what you want when the sun is high and the breeze is coming off the water. Third, it photographs beautifully. A flute of golden fizz against the Miami skyline is the easiest content you'll capture all trip, and if that's your mission, our guide to the best Instagram photo spots on a Miami cruise has you covered.

The unlimited pour, explained

Here's the part that makes a Prosecco cruise different from just ordering a drink at a rooftop bar: the pour keeps coming. Our Miami sailings are built around a free-flowing Prosecco experience for guests of legal drinking age, so there's no flagging down a bartender or watching a tab climb. You sip, you cruise, you repeat. Because the spritz is light, that unlimited format is a feature rather than a hazard — it's designed for relaxed, all-afternoon enjoyment, not a sprint. Curious how the format actually plays out on board? Our breakdown of an unlimited Prosecco cruise and what to expect walks through it glass by glass.

A quick note on the rules, because they're not optional: Florida law requires guests to be 21 or older to drink, so bring a valid photo ID. Pace yourself, drink water between glasses, and let the crew take care of the rest.

How to drink it like a local

Want to get the most out of your spritz? Keep it cold — ask for plenty of ice, since a warm spritz loses its magic fast in the Florida sun. Sip slowly and enjoy the bubbles rather than gulping; this is a marathon-paced drink, not a shot. Alternate with water to stay fresh for the whole cruise. And lean into the citrus — that twist of lemon or orange isn't just garnish, it lifts the whole glass.

Timing helps too. A late-afternoon or golden-hour sailing pairs a chilled spritz with the best light on the bay; see our take on the best time for a Miami Prosecco cruise to plan around the sunset. And if you're still deciding whether the whole experience earns its spot on your itinerary, our honest look at whether the Prosecco cruise is worth it lays it all out.

Ready to raise a glass?

Now that you know what's actually in the glass, the only thing left is to fill one. Whether you're planning a bachelorette blowout, a low-key birthday or a flirty date night, the Prosecco spritz is the easy, bubbly common denominator that keeps everyone smiling from the dock to the skyline. Gather your crew, grab a flute, and let Biscayne Bay do the rest.

Bringing a bigger group? We love a celebration — take a look at our group cruise options, get to know who's behind the boat, or reach out with any questions before you sail. When you're ready, book your Prosecco cruise and we'll have the bubbles chilled and waiting. Sip, cruise, repeat.