Meet Your New Spritz: Sarti Rosa
Aperol: The Gateway Spritz
Aperol had been around for about 80 years before Campari acquired it in 2003, quietly defining the spritz category for intrepid drinkers who would have mainly experienced it in its native habitat: Venice, or the occasional Italian wine bar.
In the twenty-plus years since, the Aperol Spritz, along with other amari and aperitivo-style liqueurs, have driven the spritz category into one of the most tried-and-true concoctions to put on a bar menu, especially for the aperitivo moment, commonly known in this country as happy hour. According to a 2025 report by IWSR, (International Wine and Spirits Record) “the spritz, a popular drink at this time of day, has experienced a boost,” says Emily Neill, Chief Operating Officer of Research and Operations, “[and] premium-plus light aperitifs have been making headway in a number of the top 20 markets.”
Casa Sarti
Casa Sarti Rosa Bottle
Campari acquired Casa Sarti in 1995, a spirit and aperitivo brand that was founded in Bologna in 1885. In recent years, however, Campari went looking for that second spritz lightning strike, developing and then heavily promoting Sarti Rosa, named for its blushing hue, for the occasion. In a press release by the Campari Group, Campari America’s Head of Marketing, Allison Varone, shared the following intel: “Sarti, our newest addition, strengthens our spritz portfolio and underscores our continued commitment to the category, which we see as an important area of growth. We're excited to build on its global momentum and introduce American consumers to a spritz that is already inspiring discovery and conversation around the world — while disrupting traditional aperitivo culture with a fresh, playful approach."
As Campari Group’s largest-ever investment behind an aperitivo launch, it’s no wonder that Sarti has burst onto the cocktail scene giving big ingenue energy, with a sly and sexy introduction befitting of the next it-girl. So, what’s the fuss about the Sarti Spritz all about? Let’s get into it.
What is Sarti Rosa?
Max Bratter, bar director at Nautilus Pier 4, Boston
Sarti Rosa is an aperitivo unto itself in the traditional sense of the word: lightly bitter, fresh, and low in alcohol, at just 14 percent ABV. The brand describes the flavor of Sarti as “the fruity sweetness of Sicilian blood oranges…harmoniously complemented by the flavors of tropical fruits.”
Max Bratter, Bar Director at The Nautilus Pier 4 in Boston, was one of the first to get access to Sarti Rosa in the summer of 2026 ahead of its official U.S. launch in September. He describes it as having “a similar profile to Aperol, but fruitier and noticeably sweeter,” he says. “Campari and Aperol rely on a bitter profile, complemented by orange for Aperol and grapefruit for Campari. Sarti leans more tart and fruit-forward with components of mango, passionfruit, and blood orange. It is also noticeably much less intense than Campari and lower proof.”
Anthony Deserio
Beverage Consultant Anthony Deserio, of Connecticut’s Dr. Booze, points out that Sarti was also well positioned for consumers following the recent popularity of other light and spritzy cocktails besides the Aperol Spritz. “Elderflower, aka ‘bartender’s ketchup,’ also moved into those low- and no-ABV bubbled libations with the Hugo Spritz,” he says, which experienced a boom around 2023. “The French 75 also never really went away when the craft cocktail movement came through,” he says, “so consumers already have had a taste for the trend. The newest generation of drinkers are consuming more low-ABVs and bubbles than ever,” and leaning toward sweeter options.
How Did the Sarti Spritz Become so Popular So Fast?
Sarti officially launched in the U.S. in early Sept 2026, with a “Too Pink to Care” campaign, involving immersive experiences and activations around New York and San Diego. Sarti was already in glasses in certain markets by then, though, and those with early dealings are still scratching their heads about it.
“The demand for Sarti came out of nowhere,” recalls Bratter. “I think their marketing push targeted consumers rather than industry professionals, as I learned about it from guests asking for it,” he says. “We had it on the menu as a modified spritz but always got many requests for it from people who hadn't even looked at the menu. Or people sheepishly asking if we had it, and then being very excited, exclaiming they couldn't get their hands on a bottle themselves.”
Michael Vendome of Nino’s Beach
A quick TikTok search reveals that beverage and lifestyle influencers definitely had a part to play here, with dozens of videos demonstrating the Sarti Spritz much earlier than its official launch.
“We were one of the first to carry Sarti Rosa,” says Michael Vendome, Owner and Bar Director of Nino’s Beach in Port Washington, New York, who’d already tasted it in Italy and predicted its potential. “Then it took off on TikTok and seemed to be everywhere,” he says. “We put a Sarti Spritz on the menu, and it sold like hotcakes.” He specifically credits the tropical fruit notes as the major selling point. “It was tailor-made to be in a spritz.”
What More to Expect from Sarti
Don’t expect Sarti to be a flash in the pan. Consider Aperol’s staying power when it was the new hue on the block. “Anything pink is going to turn heads, especially in a stemmed glass,” says Bratter, and especially as Sarti initially earned a reputation as hard to come by. “People would see it, realize we had it and then order one for themselves,” he says, an impulse that may stick around even after bottles become more widely available.
A novel product also inspires experimentation beyond the 3-2-1 proportions of a classic spritz. “We featured a spritz for our August charity cocktail using Sarti, guava, lemon, and sparkling wine,” Bratter says. “The addition of guava complemented the fruity elements in Sarti, while the lemon mellowed things out and ensured it wasn't overly sweet.”
Sarti Rosa also lends itself to more than just spritzes, so expect it to proliferate beyond that category as more and more bartenders also become aware. “It’s in the right place at the perfect time. It’s another Aperol or St. Germain or even Mastiha, [a pine resin liqueur]” says Deserio. “Bartenders can add it to almost anything, and it’s affordable and versatile,” he says. “Use the passionfruit notes for a new play on a Hurricane, or switch up the sweetener in your Margarita instead of a triple sec or agave and so on. Sarti has potential.”
Classic Sarti Spritz
Classic Sarti Spritz
The classic version of the spritz utilizes a 3-2-1 ratio of Prosecco, Sarti Rosa, and soda water
90 ml (3 oz) Prosecco DOC
60 ml (2 oz) Sarti Rosa
30 ml (1 oz) Club soda or sparkling water
Ice cubes
Lime slice or wheel (for garnish)
Fill a large wine glass to the brim with ice cubes. Pour in 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Sarti Rosa, and 1 part club soda. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with a fresh slice of lime and serve immediately.