Sparkling Cran Raspberry Aperol Spritz – a bright and flavorful fruity cocktail complete with champagne and vodka – Cheers with this festive sparkler!
Today is National Happy Hour Day.
I celebrated a day early.
I sugared some cranberries.
Jason has been getting crafty with his cocktails lately – he will be sharing recipes soon – and we have Aperol on hand. I like it because it is less sweet than other orange liqueurs, I think it also has rhubarb flavor?
I like tart. Less sweet.
Instead of using simple syrup, I added raspberries for some natural sweet – just the right amount.
Sparkling Cran Raspberry Aperol Spritz
inspired by: Spumante Molto Rosso
YIELD: 4 cocktails
dairy, egg, soy and gluten free, vegan
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup fresh cranberries, plus 1/4 cup for garnish
1/4 cup fresh raspberries
juice of 1 lemon
6 ounces chilled vodka
3 ounces Aperol
6 ounces chilled champagne
vegan sugar for dusting cranberry garnish
ice for shaker
INSTRUCTIONS:
In blender, combine cranberries, raspberries, and lemon juice – blend until smooth. Strain if necessary.
In cocktail shaker, combine vodka and Aperol, shake shake shake for 10-15 seconds. Strain equally into 4 glasses. Add equal parts cran-raspberry mixture, and leaving room to top each glass with 1.5 ounces champagne. Top with sugared cranberries on a skewer.
Cheers!
printable Sparkling Cran Raspberry Aperol Spritz recipe:
- ¼ cup fresh cranberries, plus ¼ cup for garnish
- ¼ cup fresh raspberries
- juice of 1 lemon
- 6 ounces chilled vodka
- 3 ounces Aperol
- 6 ounces chilled champagne
- vegan sugar for dusting cranberry garnish
- ice for shaker
- In blender, combine cranberries, raspberries, and lemon juice - blend until smooth. Strain if necessary.
- In cocktail shaker, combine vodka and Aperol, shake shake shake for 10-15 seconds. Strain equally into 4 glasses.
- Add equal parts cran-raspberry mixture, and leaving room to top each glass with 1.5 ounces champagne. Top with sugared cranberries on a skewer.
Erin @ Platings and Pairings says
This sounds like an amazing twist on the basic Aperol spritz, and I just about have all the ingredients. Can’t wait to give this a try!
Erin says
I have never had aperol! I think I need to buy some so I can make this. Sounds amazing. I am also going to sugar some cranberries!!! LOVE.
Kalinda says
How did I miss this? Stupid feedly. Guess I’ll happy hour today. Life is rough…
I’ll sometimes put a couple dashes of bitters in sparking wine to mix it up a bit. Grapefruit and rhubarb are good. I’m definitely trying this once I track down some Aperol.
Kristina Sloggett says
we have a bitters collection – I often add bitters to a simple glass of club soda! 🙂 cheers!
Kalinda says
Oh, I most definitely do that too. But I don’t think that qualifies for happy hour. 😉
Kristina Sloggett says
ha – nope! 😉
Shirley @ gfe & All Gluten-Free Desserts says
I’m not familiar with Aperol! Must check it out for sure. These sugared cranberries are beautiful and this drink looks and sounds amazing. I do love cocktails! Looking forward to Jason’s recipes. 🙂 Thanks, Kristina!
Shirley
Kristina Sloggett says
thanks, Shirley! we have been having fun lately, getting creative with new drink recipes. fun testing, anyway 😉 have a great weekend, my friend!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I love, love , love this! Aperol spritz is my favorite pre-dinner drink. They remind me of being in Italy.
I wanna have happy hour with you!
Kristina Sloggett says
me too ME TOO!!