Updated October 2026
About the author: Mike Joy is a prolific traveler, summer cocktail specialist, and Community Manager at Couchsurfing.
Move over Aperol, there is a new spritz in town. And it is about to change the game!
A Maltese Spritz is a spritz variation spotted on menus in Malta, made with Bajtra (prickly pear liqueur), prosecco or sparkling rosé, and a splash of soda. It is a sweeter, fruitier alternative to the Aperol Spritz.
Note: We have not verified this is actually a traditional drink of Malta! BUT we did have it in Malta, it uses a traditional Maltese liqueur and it is delicious.
What Is Bajtra?
Bajtra is a Maltese liqueur made from prickly pear cactus fruit. It has a fruity flavor. It is not bitter like Aperol, but it is not a sugary drink either.
Maltese Spritz Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 oz Bajtra (prickly pear) liqueur
- 2 oz prosecco (or sparkling rosé for a sweeter and pinker option!)
- A splash of soda
- Orange slice for garnish
Instructions
- Pour 1 oz Bajtra liqueur into a glass.
- Add 2 oz prosecco or sparkling rosé.
- Top with a splash of soda.
- Garnish with an orange slice and serve.
Think of it as your usual Aperol spritz, with the Aperol swapped for Bajtra.
Maltese Spritz vs. Aperol Spritz
- Base liqueur: Bajtra (prickly pear) vs. Aperol (bitter orange and herbs)
- Sweetness: Maltese Spritz is sweeter and fruitier; Aperol Spritz has a bitter edge
- Color: Maltese Spritz is pink when made with sparkling rosé; Aperol Spritz is orange
- Flavor profile: Light, refreshing prickly pear vs. herbal and citrus-bitter
Variations
- Use prosecco for a drier, less sweet drink
- Use sparkling rosé for extra sweetness and a pinker color
- Try a maraschino cherry as a garnish instead of an orange slice (it is quite visually appealing!)
How I Discovered the Maltese Spritz (Move Over, Aperol)
On a recent trip to Malta, a friend and I were walking in the hot September sun when she suddenly said, “Do you know what I could go for? An Aperol spritz!”
As someone who could drink an Aperol spritz at any time, day or night. Hot, cold or frozen. Awake, asleep or jet-lagged, it took me about 30 seconds to find a cute Maltese restaurant where we could get some local cuisine and a spritz. Upon ordering we noticed “Maltese Spritz” on the menu and instantly asked the waiter how it was made. The bartender explained: “It is our local ‘cactus liqueur’ with sparkling rosé. It is much sweeter than an Aperol spritz but it is just as delicious!”
We ordered one and it came out as pink as the first sunburn of summer. We were wary of how sweet it would be, but upon us both tasting it we immediately ordered a second so we wouldn’t have to share.
The base, Bajtra, is not bitter, but it is not a sugary drink. Mixed with sparkling rosé it is very light and refreshing. It was the perfect spin on an Aperol spritz for people who would prefer something a little bit sweeter without being loaded with sugar.
A few days later, after a few hours on Golden Bay Beach, we headed to the bar above the beach. The bartender had not heard of a Maltese spritz, but after I explained the recipe, he made us two. He used prosecco as he didn’t have sparkling rosé, and we both decided that it may be even better than the original. It cuts the sweetness but keeps the delicious cactus flavor, which we then found out is actually prickly pear.
And voila! You have your new fave drink of summer!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Maltese Spritz a traditional Maltese drink?
We have not verified that the Maltese Spritz is a traditional drink of Malta. We found it on a menu in Malta, and it uses Bajtra, a traditional Maltese prickly pear liqueur, but a bartender at a second spot had never heard of it.
Can I use prosecco instead of sparkling rosé?
Yes. Prosecco makes the drink drier and less sweet while keeping the prickly pear flavor. Sparkling rosé makes it sweeter and pinker.
Is the Maltese Spritz much sweeter than an Aperol Spritz?
Yes. Bajtra is not bitter like Aperol and has a mild, fruity flavor, so a Maltese Spritz tastes sweeter and fruitier than an Aperol Spritz without being loaded with sugar. Perfect if you love an Aperol spritz but want something a little sweeter. Prosecco keeps it on the drier side.
What simple garnishes or variations are worth trying?
An orange slice is the garnish in the recipe, and a maraschino cherry is a visually appealing alternative. Swapping sparkling rosé for prosecco makes the drink drier.
Is the Maltese Spritz easy to make for a group?
Yes. It has only three ingredients: 1 oz Bajtra, 2 oz prosecco or sparkling rosé, and a splash of soda, so it is easy to repeat for each guest (and extra pink if you use sparkling rosé). If you are hosting Travelers, find more drink ideas in 15 Cocktails from Around the World to Share with Your Host.
Sharing a local drink is one of the easiest ways to connect with the people you meet on the road. Join Couchsurfing to find your next Host, and maybe your next fave drink.
