The Kingsday Spritz
The Ultimate Orange Cocktail for King’s Day in the Netherlands
There are holidays…
And then there’s King’s Day.
If you’ve ever experienced it, you already know:
This isn’t just a celebration, it’s a full-blown, country-wide party.
Streets turn into festivals.
Canals fill with boats and music.
Cities become one giant orange crowd.
And at Worthington’s Bar?
We do what we do best: we turn it into a drink.
Enter: the Kingsday Spritz.
Bright. Bold. Orange. And built for celebrating.
🇳🇱 What Is King’s Day (Koningsdag)?
A National Party Like No Other
Every year on April 27th, the Netherlands celebrates the birthday of King Willem-Alexander.
But instead of a formal holiday…
It becomes something completely different:
- 🎶 Music festivals in every city
- 🛍️ Street markets (vrijmarkten) where everyone sells everything
- 🚤 Boat parties through the canals
- 🧡 And everyone dressed in orange
It’s chaotic.
It’s loud.
It’s one of the most fun days of the year.
And yes, it’s also a day where: drinks are flowing from morning to night
What Is a Kingsday Spritz?
A Dutch Twist on the Classic Spritz Formula
Just like every proper spritz, we stick to the golden ratio:
- 3 parts prosecco
- 2 parts liqueur
- 1 part soda water
But instead of Aperol or limoncello…
We use:Oranje Bitter
Which instantly gives this drink:
- A deeper orange flavor
- A slightly more herbal, complex edge
- And a very Dutch identity
This isn’t just a spritz.
It’s a King’s Day spritz.
Ingredient Breakdown
🧡 Oranje Bitter – The Star of the Show
We used De Kuyper Oranje Bitter, and this is where all the personality comes from.
Oranje Bitter is:
- A Dutch herbal liqueur
- Traditionally associated with royal celebrations
- Bright orange in both color and character
Flavor-wise, it brings:
- Orange peel bitterness
- Subtle spice and herbal notes
- A slightly drier, more complex profile than most spritz liqueurs
Think of it as:
- Less sweet than limoncello
- More herbal than fruity liqueurs
- A little more “grown-up” than it looks
🥂 Prosecco – The Sparkling Backbone
Prosecco keeps everything:
- Light
- Crisp
- Refreshing
It balances the bitterness of the Oranje Bitter and adds:
- Fresh bubbles
- Subtle apple and citrus notes
- That signature spritz drinkability
💡 Worthington’s tip:
Go for a Brut prosecco to keep the drink from becoming too sweet.
💧 Soda Water – The Lift
Small addition, big difference.
Soda water:
- Lightens the drink
- Enhances refreshment
- Makes it easier to keep sipping (which… you will)
🍊 Garnish – Go Full Orange
For this one, don’t hold back.
We love:
- Orange slices
- Orange peel
- Even a dehydrated orange wheel
Because let’s be honest: subtlety is not the goal on King’s Day.
Deep Dive – What Is Oranje Bitter?
A Royal Dutch Classic
Oranje Bitter has deep roots in Dutch culture.
It’s traditionally enjoyed during:
- Royal celebrations
- National holidays
- And especially King’s Day
It’s not something you casually reach for every day…
But when you do? It feels like a celebration.
Flavor Profile of Oranje Bitter
Expect:
- Bright orange peel bitterness
- Herbal undertones
- A slightly dry finish
It’s:
- Less sweet than many modern liqueurs
- More structured
- And slightly more intense
Oranje Bitter vs Aperol
What’s the Difference?
This is where it gets interesting.
Aperol is the global spritz icon.
Oranje Bitter? Much more local, and much less known.
Here’s how they compare:
Aperol:
- Light bitterness
- Sweet orange flavor
- Very approachable
- Designed for easy drinking
Oranje Bitter:
- Stronger, more herbal bitterness
- Less sweet
- More complex
- Feels more traditional and bold
In a spritz, that means:
👉 Aperol = soft, sunny, crowd-pleasing
👉 Oranje Bitter = punchy, festive, and full of character
If Aperol is your easy afternoon drink…
This is your King’s Day upgrade.
Flavor Profile – What to Expect
First Sip: Bold Orange & Bittersweet
Right away, you get:
- Orange peel
- A touch of sweetness
- And a noticeable bitter edge
It’s brighter and sharper than you might expect.
Mid-Palate: Bubbles & Balance
The prosecco steps in to:
- Soften the bitterness
- Add freshness
- Keep everything light and drinkable
Finish: Crisp, Herbal, and Refreshing
The finish is:
- Slightly dry
- Lightly herbal
- And very refreshing
This is the kind of drink that:
- Feels festive
- Tastes bold
- And fits perfectly into a long day of celebrating
How to Build the Perfect Kingsday Spritz
Keep it simple:
- Fill a large wine glass with ice
- Pour in Oranje Bitter
- Add prosecco
- Top with soda water
- Stir gently
- Garnish generously with an orange wheel or slice
💡 Pro tip:
The more ice, the better. King’s Day is a marathon, not a sprint.
❌ Common Kingsday Spritz Mistakes
- Using too little ice → warm spritz = bad spritz
- Overpouring Oranje Bitter → too bitter, loses balance
- Skipping garnish → this drink is meant to stand out
- Over-stirring → goodbye bubbles
If You Love This, Try These Next
Build Your Ultimate Spritz Lineup
If the Kingsday Spritz is your kind of drink, bold, bright, and made for a good time, then you’re already deep into spritz territory.
And the best part?
There’s not just one way to do it.
Below is our full Worthington’s Bar spritz lineup, each with its own personality, flavor profile, and moment to shine. (And yes, every single one deserves its own spot on your table… or your feed.)
🍊 Aperol Spritz – The Bittersweet Classic
This is where it all starts.
The Aperol Spritz is the blueprint, the drink that made spritzes what they are today.
Flavor-wise, it’s all about:
- Gentle bitterness
- Sweet orange notes
- A perfectly balanced, easy-drinking profile
Where the Kingsday Spritz is bold and punchy, Aperol is softer and more approachable.
This is the one you reach for when:
- The sun is out
- The vibe is relaxed
- And you want something that always works
👉 Find the Aperol Spritz recipe here.
🍋 Limoncello Spritz – Sunshine in a Glass
If you like your drinks bright, zesty, and slightly chaotic (we mean that in the best way)… this is your next move.
The Limoncello Spritz brings:
- Bold lemon flavor
- Fresh citrus brightness
- A slightly sweeter, more playful edge
It’s sharper than Aperol, less bitter than Oranje Bitter, and incredibly easy to drink way too fast.
At Worthington’s Bar, this is the one that usually turns into: “Okay… just one more”
👉 Find the Limoncello Spritz recipe here.
🌿 Hugo Spritz – Floral, Fresh, and Effortless
Looking for something lighter and more elegant?
The Hugo Spritz takes a completely different direction with:
- Elderflower liqueur
- Fresh mint
- A touch of citrus
It’s:
- Soft
- Aromatic
- And incredibly refreshing
Compared to the Kingsday Spritz, this one feels calmer, more refined, and perfect for slower moments.
Ideal for:
- Garden parties
- Brunch
- Or when you want something that feels a little more elevated
👉 Find the Hugo Spritz recipe here.
🍉 Watermelon Spritz – Juicy & Playful
This one started as an experiment… and turned into a crowd favorite.
The Watermelon Spritz is:
- Bright
- Sweet
- And unapologetically fun
Flavor profile:
- Juicy watermelon
- Light bubbles
- A soft, summery sweetness
It’s less bitter, more playful, and incredibly approachable.
This is the drink for:
- Parties
- Warm afternoons
- And those “let’s just see where the day goes” moments
👉 Find the Watermelon Spritz recipe here.
🍑 Peach Spritz – Soft, Smooth & Easygoing
If the Watermelon Spritz is bold and juicy, the Peach Spritz is its softer, more mellow cousin.
Expect:
- Gentle peach sweetness
- A smooth, rounded mouthfeel
- A balanced, easy finish
It’s:
- Not too sweet
- Not too sharp
- Just… right
Perfect for:
- Brunch tables
- Slow evenings
- Or when you want something that doesn’t demand attention, but quietly delivers
👉 Find the Peach Spritz recipe here.
🌸 Lychee Spritz – Exotic & Light
This one is a little unexpected, and that’s exactly why it works.
The Lychee Spritz brings:
- Delicate floral sweetness
- A subtle exotic twist
- A light, refreshing profile
Compared to the Kingsday Spritz, this one is:
- Softer
- Less bitter
- More intriguing
It’s the kind of drink people don’t expect and then immediately love.
👉 Find the Lychee Spritz recipe here.
💜 Lavender Gin Spritz – Elegant & Aromatic
This is where things get a little more refined.
The Lavender Gin Spritz leans into:
- Floral lavender notes
- Subtle herbal complexity
- A calm, aromatic profile
It’s:
- Sophisticated
- Slightly unexpected
- And seriously impressive to serve
Compared to the Kingsday Spritz, this one is less about party energy and more about quiet, elevated moments.
👉 Find the Lavender Gin Spritz recipe here.
🩷 Sarti Spritz – Tropical & Trending
If you’ve been anywhere near cocktail Instagram lately… you’ve seen this one.
The Sarti Spritz is:
- Bright pink/orange
- Tropical
- And completely built for attention
Flavor notes:
- Mango
- Passionfruit
- Blood orange
It sits somewhere between:
👉 fruity and bittersweet
👉 classic and modern
This is the drink you make when:
- You want something trendy
- Something eye-catching
- Something people ask about
👉 Find the Sarti Spritz recipe here.
🌺 Rhubarb & Hibiscus Spritz – Alcohol-Free & Beautiful
Spritz season is for everyone.
The Rhubarb and Hibiscus Spritz proves you don’t need alcohol to have a proper spritz experience.
It brings:
- Tart rhubarb
- Floral hibiscus
- A crisp, refreshing finish
It’s:
- Light
- Vibrant
- And just as visually stunning as any cocktail
Perfect for:
- Daytime events
- Brunch tables
- Or anyone skipping alcohol without missing out
👉 Find the Rhubarb & Hibiscus Spritz recipe here.
King’s Day Hosting Tips
How to Throw the Ultimate Orange-Themed Party at Home
If you’re not heading into the city for King’s Day, bring the party to you.
Here’s how to do it the Worthington’s Bar way:
🧡 Go All-In on Orange
This is not the day for subtlety.
Think:
- Orange outfits
- Orange decorations
- Orange garnishes
- Orange drinks (obviously)
The more over-the-top it feels, the better
🍹 Set Up a DIY Spritz Bar
This is where things get really fun (and very Instagrammable).
Set up:
- Prosecco bottles
- A few different liqueurs (Oranje Bitter, Aperol, Limoncello, Sarti)
- Soda water
- Fresh garnishes
Let people build their own spritzes.
Why this works:
- Interactive
- Easy to host
- Keeps the vibe social
🧊 Prep Like a Pro
Nothing kills the mood faster than running out of ice.
Stock up on:
- Ice (more than you think you need)
- Pre-cut garnishes
- Chilled bottles
Trust us, future you will be grateful.
🎶 Don’t Forget the Music
King’s Day = energy.
Build a playlist with:
- Dutch hits
- Throwbacks
- Party classics
Because the right music turns drinks into a party!
🍊 Keep It Easy, Keep It Flowing
This is not the day for complicated cocktails.
Stick to:
- Spritzes
- Simple builds
- Easy refills
Because the goal is less shaking, more celebrating!
New to Spritzes? Start Here
If you want to truly understand why the Kingsday Spritz works so well, start with the fundamentals.
In our full spritz guide, we break down:
- The origin of the spritz in Northern Italy
- How it became a staple of aperitivo culture
- Why the 3-2-1 ratio works every single time
- How spritzes relate to classic highballs (yes, there’s actual cocktail theory behind it)
- Tips to build the perfect spritz at home
It’s the kind of guide that turns: “I can make a drink” into “I know exactly what I’m doing behind the bar”.
👉 Read the full guide here: What Is a Spritz?
🇳🇱 The Kingsday Spritz 🇳🇱 
Ingredients
- 30 ml Soda Water
- 60 ml Oranje Bitter
- 90 ml Prosecco
Garnish with an orange wheel
Instructions
- Fill your chilled wine glass with ice cubes.
- Add Oranje Bitter.
- Carefully add the prosecco.
- Top with soda water.
- Stir gently.
- Garnish with an orange wheel.
- Enjoy!
Drink responsibly, don’t spill any! 😉
📸 Don’t forget to capture the magic of your Kingsday Spritz creation and share it with us using #WorthingtonsBar. We can’t wait to see the joy and zest you bring to this fruity Spritz! Cheers to the perfect balance of flavors and the timeless pleasure of a well-crafted cocktail! 🌟✨
Final Thoughts – Orange Energy Only
The Kingsday Spritz is everything this holiday stands for:
- Bold
- Bright
- A little chaotic
- And impossible not to enjoy
It’s not subtle.
It’s not trying to be.
It’s a drink made for:
👉 music
👉 crowds
👉 sunshine (hopefully)
👉 and long, unforgettable days
So whether you’re:
Out in the city
On a boat
Or celebrating at home
Make it orange.
Make it a spritz.
And enjoy every second of it.
From our home bar to yours,
Cheers 🧡🍸✨
Kingsday Spritz FAQ
What is Oranje Bitter?
A Dutch herbal orange liqueur traditionally enjoyed during royal celebrations like King’s Day.
Can I substitute Aperol for Oranje Bitter?
Yes, but the drink will be sweeter and less herbal. Oranje Bitter gives it a more authentic, bold flavor.
What prosecco works best in a Spritz?
A dry (Brut) prosecco is ideal to balance the bitterness.
Can I make this Kingsday Spritz less bitter?
Add a little more soda water or slightly reduce the Oranje Bitter.
What glass should I use for the Kingsday Spritz?
A large wine or balloon glass works best for both presentation and aroma.
If you want to see the video tutorial on this drink, check it out here on our Instagram page! We would love to connect with you and hear about what recipe we should make next. 😁
