Maltese Spritzer

A Maltese Spritzer is a bright and sunny cocktail made with sparkling wine, prickly pear liqueur, lime cordial, soda water and ice.

I didn’t add any soda water when making these. Because I forgot. And honestly I don’t think it’s needed.

Is a spritzer a spritzer if it’s made without soda water? Well, this one’s going to be.

Before I decided to make a cocktail instead of some yummy food, I was, as usual, torn between two dishes. I was going to make a gluten-free version of Ħobż biż-żejt (a type of open sandwich) or a gluten-free Bragioli (a hearty beef dish).

I’ll definitely have to try the Bragioli sometime. Looks very hearty.

So why a Maltese Spritzer?

I searched online for cocktails from Malta and this was the first result. I found two different recipes, here and here. Both use pretty much the same ingredients but the brands they use are different. I bought the only prickly pear liqueur I could find online and I saw some reviews saying they preferred the one they had in Malta. But, admittedly as someone who never tasted prickly pear liqueur before, I thought the one I used was lovely.

I couldn’t find a Maltese sparking wine or Girgentina Frizzante so I opted for a pink Prosecco instead.

Am I yet again posting a recipe for a cocktail that is already online?

Well, there’s no soda water in mine. it’s like chalk and … slightly stronger chalk.

Things to See & Do in Malta

I’ve actually been to Malta. They have wonderful weather and the bluest water there. It’s ancient, as in there’s a lot of history to the island – and to Gozo. If you go to Malta you have to take at least a day trip to Gozo. They speak Maltese, but everyone also seems to speak English fluently. And they have a great public transport system. You can go everywhere by bus. You don’t need to hire a car.

But don’t take my word for it. Let’s hear what some experts suggest

• 14 of the best things to do in Malta
• Want more? How about a list of 56 places to visit in Malta and Gozo?
• A list of 25+ annual events that take place in Malta. Might be next year before all of them are back on. But it’s something to look forward to.

What is Malta like for Coeliacs and the Gluten-Intolerant?

I’ve no idea. I was there in 2012 which is a few years before I gave up gluten. I suspect it might be easy enough. I’m trying to remember what I ate over there and I think it was mostly seafood.

The Coeliac UK produced this helpful guide for Malta.