Pavlova Spritz cocktail recipe

An homage to the classic Australian summer meringue dessert, the Pavlova Spritz brings together a hit of sweetness with plenty of fresh, zesty fruit for balance in a long, refreshing cocktail. It's a recipe that we especially created to showcase one of the winning spirits from our inaugural Decoded Spirit Awards, so we're very fond of mixing it up for friends.

But first, what about the dish that inspired the Pavlova Spritz? The popular dessert was named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova on one of her tours to Australia and New Zealand in the 1920s, and it has since become an Australian icon. With its crispy meringue shell base with a spongy and chewy centre, it then gets smothered in whipped cream and seasonal fruit. What’s not to love about that?

Despite its rise to cult Ausse status, much like the majority of cocktails, the exact origins of the pav are hotly debated – specifically, whether it was first created in Australia or by our neighbours in New Zealand. And while there have been many recipes sourced and theories put forward, there is no definitive origin story for this beloved dessert (depending on who you ask).

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter where it was invented – it’s delicious either way, especially in cocktail form! It’s perfect for cocktail-lovers with a sweet tooth, as it combines vodka with zesty lime, fresh kiwi fruit and mint to create an attractive, crowd-pleasing drink that’s excellent pre or post dinner – perhaps even alongside a piece of pav. 

Not only is this delicious dessert-inspired cocktail brimming with historical intrigue, but it’s an incredibly versatile drink that can be adapted to suit any taste or occasion.

As with the dessert that inspired it, there are a whole range of fruits and flavours to play with in the Pavlova Spritz. Instead of kiwi, why not go classic with some ripe summer berries – strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or whatever takes your fancy. Or try some tropical fruits – passionfruit pulp or fresh mango slices will make it a touch more exotic.

Another way to experiment with the Pavlova Spritz is with the vodka you use. If you want to make the fruit the hero of the drink, keep the vodka neutral but explore different styles and base grains. Try a rye-based vodka if you enjoy hints of baking spice such as cinnamon, clove or nutmeg. Otherwise, select a vodka made using wheat for sweet cereal notes, or corn if you prefer a creamy texture.

And if you really want to head to flavour-town, don’t be afraid to try switching out a neutral vodka for a flavoured one. For a sweeter, more dessert-like quality, give a vanilla vodka a try or a fruit-flavoured vodka to complement the fresh fruit. Or, go all out and try Old Young's Pavlova Vodka for that unmistakable dessert flavour.