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Ryan Chetiyawardana (or, Mr Lyan) has been named UK bartender of the Year twice and in 2015 was named International Bartender of the Year
Credit: Instagram

Perhaps it’s the discernible loss of a chill on the breeze, the simple joy of a Hump Day, the impending long weekend’s sunny 28º forecast or a combination of all three. Whatever the cause, spring has sprung and the occasion calls for a beverage (or two) in well-earned celebration of the end of winter months spent dormant and docile.

During a recent sojourn to Australia, Ryan Chetiyawardana, the founder of three ‘Mr Lyan’ bars including Henry at the Hudson Hotel in New York and Dandelyan at the Mondrian Hotel in London as well as the recipient of numerous accolades including International Bartender of the Year, served GRAZIA with the recipe for the quintessential spring cocktail: a classic spritz with a fresh spring twist.

“When you’re getting to that stage when the sun’s coming out, you want to drink a more summery cocktail with a bit of length to it, rather than knock you out because it gets so hot,” says Chetiyawardana. “You don’t want something that’s going to put you on your ass before you’ve even had a chance to have a good time with your friends. So something like a spritz is ideal because it’s got some substance to it and the carbonation is great. It’s fresh, but it’s not so boozy that you can’t have more than one.

“When I think of summer, I think of nicer, fruiter flavours and I always look forward to the time when melons come around. So when I think summer, I think watermelon. For something with such a high water content, it has such a nice flavour and substance to it.”

To prepare, fill a wine glass with large ice cubes (nothing store bought, preferably) and layer with a combination of ice and shards of watermelon. Combine equal parts Belvedere with Lillet Blanc, an aromatised wine, topped with equal parts soda and tonic water. The 50/50 combination will cut through the sweetness but provide the carbonation that makes the spritz such a cocktail classic. Garnish with a sprig of fresh basil for another unexpected touch and serve often.

“Those summery flavours provoke a feeling of nostalgia,” adds Chetiyawardana. “I think of tomato salads in the sunshine. The watermelon and basil play on each other really nicely.” 

a spring Spritz for the long weekend
30 ml Belvedere Vodka
30 ml Lillet Blanc
2 watermelon slices
1 sprig of basil
Sparkling water
Tonic water


Top with equal parts of sparkling water and Fever Tree tonic water. Combine all ingredients in a glass over ice. Garnish with shards of watermelon and a sprig of basil.

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A Belvedere Spritz, made substituting watermelon for grapefruit and basil for time
Credit: Kate Gibbs

Tile and cover image: Instagram