Here’s the ultimate guide to National Spritz Day as a student in Edinburgh

With the Hugo Spritz sweeping the nation this year (although, we’ve always been ahead of the curve in Edinburgh), it seems like every pub, bar and restaurant in the city has upped their offerings.

This Friday, August 1st marks the best day of the year – National Spritz Day – a celebration of Italian flair and a perfect sendoff for summer. Whether you’re looking for a spot for some graduation celebrations, a boujee summer pub crawl, or just want to take in the final rays of Scottish sunshine before we’re all plunged back into darkness – here’s the best spritz spots in Edinburgh.

1. Cold Town House

Rooftop beer garden with a castle view, what more could you ask for? Cold Town House is a multistory bar of dreams – featuring everything from craft local beers to, you guessed it, delightful spritzes. In fact, the pub recently partnered with Aperol to refit its iconic rooftop bar with an orange makeover fitting of one of the best spots for an Aperol Spritz in the city. Bonus points for the giant chandelier.

Our recommendation: Aperol Spritz (duh)

2. Taste of Italy

A laid back spot near the Omni Centre on Leith Walk, Taste of Italy does exactly what it says on the tin, bringing us authentic dishes and drinks from the Med right to a perfect little people watching perch in the heart of Edinburgh.

Not only is the location ideal for a pre-theatre, movie, or probably more likely post-900 bus journey tipple, but the value is also incredible with the restaurant offering £5 spritzes for students to celebrate this Friday.

Our recommendation: Hugo Spritz

3. The Beehive Inn

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Just pretend this was summer and there were more spritzes on the table x

Back to Grassmarket, there’s nowhere else that really shines as brightly in summer as the beer garden centre of Edinburgh. The Beehive ticks two important boxes – a beer garden at the front and the back – perfect for full-day sizzling, and with a selection of incredible spritzes on offer, it would be rude not to give it a shot.

Our recommendation: Aperol Spritz

4. The Mitre

We all love to hate on its existence, but sometimes the Royal Mile does spark some of the pre-uni magic the thought of Edinburgh held. Why not combine the naivety of fresherdom with the reality of Edinburgh drinks prices and stop by the Mile’s best boozer, offering up a whole host of cocktails from its new drinks menu, and of course a selection of spritzes (including the undisputed king – the limencello spritz) to sip away in the outdoor seating with a view of St Giles or down Cannongate – it’s worth it, trust me.

Our recommendation: Limencello Spritz

5. Southsider

Ah the infamous never-ending 50 per cent off deal for Southsiders cocktails – tempting as always, and with Aperol Spritzes on offer, deadly as well.

Our recommendation: Aperol Spritz

6. Vittoria on the Bridge

via Muckle Media

Just round the corner from Edi Uni, Vittoria on The Bridge offers a spritz with a twist: The Mistaken Spritz. Its a sparkling blend of Campari, Martini Rosso, soda, and Prosecco and is perfect for resetting your senses after an afternoon of the classics.

Our recommendation: Mistaken Spritz

7. Pear Tree

Would it be summer without a trip to Pear Tree for a mid afternoon adventure? Come on, the place is built for spritz day, its massive beer garden catching all the sunlight you’ll need to take the perfectly aesthetic Insta shot of its pink Sarti Spritz, and if you’re brave enough to head to the library afterwards, good luck, but the option is there.

Our recommendation: Sarti Spritz

8. Landy’s Fish and Chips

Royal Mile and Irn Bru – surely that’s just a tourist scam? Well, it probably does entice its fair share of Americans, but even as a Scot, the intrigue was still alluring.

The closest I’ve ever been to a classy Irn Bru was mixing it with vodka in a flask – so pairing the nation’s tooti fruti drink with Prosecco and citrus was a shock to the system – but honestly, couldn’t complain.

Our suggestion: Irn Bru Spritz

Special Mention: 1925 at the Pompadour

via Muckle Media

Not the first stop you’d imagine on a student deals list, is it? But that’s right, the Caledonian Hotel restaurant, ran by celebrity chef Dean Banks, is offering up a student deal of £10 spritzes to commemorate the special day with an incredible view of Edinburgh Castle. That’s a treat in itself, but add in the all-new three-course lunch for £39.25 and it becomes the ideal spot for a late grad celebration.

Our recommendation: Hugo Spritz

Featured image via Muckle Media