Classic Spritz With Aperol

Excerpt from Day Drinking by Kat Odell:

I credit New York restaurant Wildair with turning me into a Spritz lover. While I had tried Campari and Aperol Spritzes in the past, it really wasn’t until I tried their version that the drink became my new go-to.

Traditionally, this highly refreshing, bittersweet drink is made with prosecco, either Aperol (my preference) or Campari, a splash of soda water, and an orange slice. But Wildair actually builds this classic Italian aperitivo with a sparkling French white wine instead of the typical prosecco, and they use an Italian Americano (a type ofaromatized wine—the word americano refers not to the United States but to the root word amer, which means bitter) from Italy’s Piedmont region. 

MAKES 1

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 ounces prosecco or other dry sparkling white wine
• Chilled 2 ounces Aperol or Campari Splash
• Soda water
• Orange slice, for garnish

Instructions

Pour the prosecco and Aperol into a wineglass or rocks glass with 1 ice cube. Add the soda water and stir gently to combine. Garnish with the orange slice.

Variations

Although Campari and Aperol are the classic bitter aperitifs mixed into this drink, there’s a whole world more out there. Try subbing in your favorite amaro, like Amaro Nonino or Cardamaro, for Aperol or Campari. • Wildair’s Vergano Americano Spritz: Place 3 ice cubes in a wineglass and add 2 ounces of Vergano Americano and enough Les Capriades or other French dry sparkling white wine to fill the glass about three-quarters full (omit the soda water). Stir gently to combine, and add an orange twist.

About Day Drinking:

When the occasion calls for a drink, but not for getting drunk, mix up a batch of day drinks—low-alcohol cocktails that are festive, mouthwateringly delicious, and light on the booze.

From brunch with friends to bridal showers and barbecues, from tailgates to snow days to afternoons hanging out on the beach, just about any daytime social occasion is greatly improved by a drink. And these 50 creative cocktails are just the thing.

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