Aperol Spritz
Recipe
Fill a wine glass with ice. Add the sparkling wine, the Aperol, and then the seltzer water. Garnish with an orange slice.
Discussion
Not only is "spritz" really fun to say, it's also quick and easy to make with just three ingredients. Basically, the Aperol Spritz is a home run.
Aperol is a bitter, orange and herbal liqueur originally from Northern Italy. I think it's fair to say that Aperol is Campari's little brother (and given that Campari now owns Aperol, I don't think they'd be mad at me for saying that.) It's not as bitter as Campari, it has a more pronounced orange flavor, and is lower in ABV.
Choosing a good sparkling wine for this drink is important, but don't break the bank. I like to use something on the drier side (less sweet) so it doesn't cover up the flavor of the Aperol. Prosecco is the most traditional, but a lot of the ones sold on the market are slightly too sweet for my taste. I have had the best luck using Spanish Cava, but you're free to experiment with whatever you have on hand.
The Aperol Spritz is a drink that is refreshing enough to please the novice drinker and complex enough to appeal to the seasoned boozehound.
