Recipe Background
The Winter Aperol Spritz is perfect for game nights with its easy prep and refreshing flavor.
It was game night in our cozy apartment, the first time we truly felt at home after moving in together. My partner and I had invited a group of friends over for a much-needed break from the daily grind. I wanted to create something that was easy to serve and had a bit of flair. Rooting around in the fridge, I stumbled across a bottle of Aperol we’d picked up on a whim during a trip to Italy and had almost forgotten about. There was also prosecco, left over from a New Year's celebration and some cranberry juice, perfect for a winter twist.
Mixing these ingredients was a bit of an experiment, but it quickly became a favorite. The sharpness of the cranberry juice balanced perfectly with the sweetness of prosecco and the zesty Aperol. I tossed in ice and topped it off with a splash of club soda. A quick rummage in the pantry revealed a fresh orange, and I remembered a rosemary plant we’d been nurturing on the windowsill. I couldn’t resist using them for garnish, the rosemary lending a piney hint that paired beautifully with the citrus.
That night, the laughter and chatter filled our little space, and the Winter Aperol Spritzes went down a treat. I learned a trick along the way—give the rosemary a quick smack between your hands before adding it to the glass to release its aroma. Those small details made our first hosting experience memorable and brought everyone together over the simplest of pleasures.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces Aperol
- 3 ounces prosecco
- 1 ounce cranberry juice
- 2 ounces club soda
- ice to taste
- 1 orange wheel for garnish
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary for garnish
Directions
- In a glass, add the Aperol, the prosecco, the cranberry juice, the club soda, and the ice and stir to combine.
- Serve the drink garnished with the orange wheel and the rosemary.
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