Spritz

Spritz refers to a family of drinks and to a separate speed-reading technology. The best-known Spritz is an Italian sparkling wine cocktail from the Veneto region. It combines Prosecco with a bitter liqueur such as Aperol or Campari and a splash of soda, usually served over ice with an orange garnish. Common practice uses roughly three parts Prosecco, two parts liqueur, and one part soda, though variations exist. The drink is linked with warm weather and social occasions and has gained popularity beyond Italy.

Origins and variations: The practice of diluting wine with water or soda dates to the 19th century in the Veneto, evolving into the modern Spritz after World War II. Aperol, introduced in 1919, helped popularize the format, but many bars use other liqueurs such as Campari or different sparkling bases. Regional versions may adjust ratios or omit Prosecco. The Spritz has become a cultural symbol of the Italian aperitivo and a global trend in casual drinking.

Spritz in technology: Separately, Spritz is a speed-reading technology and related software developed in the early 2010s. It presents words one at a time at a fixed center location, using rapid serial visual presentation and highlighting the word's Optimal Recognition Point to aid recognition. Proponents claim reading speeds far above conventional reading, with demonstrations reaching hundreds to around a thousand words per minute. The method has been implemented in several apps and platforms and continues to influence modern speed-reading tools.