United to offer free spritz cocktails on flights to Italy

United has announced it will be offering complimentary Spritz Society premium sparkling cocktails onboard certain flights to Italy.

The cocktails will be available on United’s expanded seasonal flights between Chicago and Milan from 6 May and the airline’s summer flights between New York/Newark and Rome starting 26 May. Customers can also buy Spritz Society cocktails for $2 in the Chicago O’Hare and Newark United ClubSM locations during the first month they’re available onboard from that airport.

According to United, Spritz drinks originated in the Veneto region of Italy in the late 1800s and have increased in popularity in recent years. “Spritz cocktails have become synonymous with summer and offer a taste of Europe. Given the drink’s origin, we thought what better place to serve them than on board our flights to Italy,” said Luc Bondar, United Vice President of Marketing & Loyalty and President of MileagePlus. “Our customers are going to love everything about these festive cocktails, especially the taste – one of the reasons we chose Spritz Society is their focus on quality natural ingredients.”

The cocktails are made with six ingredients or less in every can and include real white wine from grapes harvested in California. Available in four flavours, which include blood orange, pineapple, lemon and grapefruit, each 8.4 oz can contains 6% ABV and 120 calories.

“We’re excited to work with United to make Spritz Society available to their customers in select lounges and on two seasonal Italy routes,” said Spritz Society Founder & CEO Ben Soffer. “Spritz Society puts a fun twist on the classic Italian cocktail and is made with real wine, real flavours, and real ingredients – it’s the perfect beverage to enhance the Italian travel experience with United.”