Winter Aperol Spritz

This Winter Aperol Spritz is a great seasonal take on the much-loved Italian classic. This blend of Aperol, Sloe gin, sparkling wine and soda makes the perfect Christmas spritz.

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One of my favourite summer tipples is a classic Italian spritz. Talk about ice-cold liquid refreshment on the hottest of days.

However, in the cooler months, my libation tastes change considerably, so I’ve created a winter Aperol spritz recipe. It’s very similar to the original, but the addition of sloe gin and seasonal garnishes transforms this drink into something much more suited to winter palates.

I recommend serving at all manner of autumn and winter celebrations from Halloween and Bonfire Night through to Christmas and New Year’s Eve. This winter spritz cocktail does make a simple yet fantastic party drink.

Why you’ll love this Winter spritz

• Easy: this drink is so easy to make as it’s assembled directly in the serving glass.
• No fancy bar equipment is needed: because it is assembled in the glass, the only equipment needed is the glass itself, so it’s a very accessible cocktail to make at home.
• It’s different: this twist on the traditional serve is sure to surprise and delight your guests.
• Taste: the plummy and jammy flavour of the sloe gin pairs particularly well with the slightly bitter citrusy orange notes present in the Aperol.
• Appearance: it’s a gorgeous colour and the seasonal garnishes make this Christmas spritz very easy on the eye.

What is Sloe Gin

Sloe gin is a gin-based liqueur made from sloe berries.

Sloes are actually a type of plum. They are blue-black in colour and tend to look like a cross between a regular plum and a blueberry. They are incredibly sour and their skin is bitter so they are not suitable for eating raw.

Sloe gin is typically made from sloe berries, sugar and gin. It can be sipped upon just as it is or included in cocktail recipes.

I used it in my award-winning Winter Gin & Tonic recipe a few years ago. Other popular sloe gin cocktail recipes include the Sloe Gin Fizz, the Blackthorn and the Charlie Chaplin.

Since sloes also partner well with orange flavours, sloe gin was my natural impulse when I started thinking about creating a winter Aperol spritz recipe.

Ingredients notes

Aperol: there is no substitute for this bittersweet apéritif in this Christmas Aperol spritz recipe. Luckily, it’s stocked in most supermarkets and online. It’s also relatively cheap at around £13 per 70cl bottle.

Sloe gin: again, you cannot make this cocktail without this ingredient. I like Sipsmith. You can, however, make your own.

You could opt for damson liqueur to make a damson spritz.

Prosecco: Italians opt for Prosecco in their spritz drinks. It’s dry sparkling wine.

Soda water: just a splash is needed, but it’s definitely needed to lift the effervescence in this drink.

Ice: all spritzes need to be served over plenty of ice. Don’t throw 2-3 ice cubes into the glass and be done, you need much more. Stock up.

Garnishes: get playful and creative when it comes to decorating your sloe gin spritz. I went with orange slices, rosemary and raspberries. Other options include thyme, blackberries and blueberries.

How to make a Winter Aperol Spritz

Just like the classic version, this Christmas spritz is a very easy drink to make.

1. Fill your serving glass with plenty of ice.
2. Add the sloe gin and Aperol to the glass.
3. Then pour in the Prosecco and the soda water.
4. Garnish with an orange slice, some rosemary and some berries such as raspberries or blackberries.

And that’s it. The transition from a summery classic to a winter spritz is complete. Simple.

Expert tips

• Choose a large glass – like a tumbler or a wine glass. This is a relatively long serve with plenty of ice included to keep it cold on scorching days, so pick a suitably large glass.
• If using fine glassware add the ice to the glass carefully – this is purely to avoid the ice hitting the bottom of the glass at speed and shattering it (says the voice of experience – I ruined my favourite glass).
• For best results, use chilled ingredients, so the ice does not melt too quickly or dilute the drink too much.
• Always use freshly opened Prosecco and soda water to ensure enough sparkle is in the drink.
• Just making for one or two people? Consider using a mini bottle of Prosecco to avoid it going flat.

Frequently asked questions

What food to serve with a winter spritz

There are quite a few snacking options to pair with your winter spritz:

• Crostini – try my quick and simple fig, prosciutto and gorgonzola crostini.
• Arancini – deep fried balls of risotto often filled with mozzarella cheese.
• Cured meats – put out a selection on a platter with some fat and juicy Nocellara olives.
• Salted nuts – either plain or perhaps rosemary-infused.

More spritz cocktails to try

Have you made this winter Aperol spritz recipe? How did you garnish yours? Please let me know what you think of this drink by leaving a comment or rating below.

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