I've put a Christmas twist on this traditional Italian aperitif with this Cranberry Aperol Spritz recipe - it's the perfect drink to offer your guests over the festive period.
A Christmas Cocktail
Now that we are well into November, I am officially giving in to everything Christmas. Usually I mark the start of the festive period by watching Christmas films. Over the years I've amassed a huge collection and if we want to watch all of them before the 25th of December we have to start watching them pretty early on!
A Muppets Christmas Carol is Jon's absolute favourite and often the first and last Christmas film we watch. But as we are holidaying in New Zealand in the run up to Christmas we aren't going to be able to snuggle up on the sofa watching Christmas films. So, I'll just have to drink Christmas themed cocktails on the beach instead! It's a hard life isn't it!
Aperol and Cranberry
Although the aperol spritz is often thought of as a summer drink, the bitter, citrus flavour of aperol makes it ideal for adding to Christmas cocktails. To make a regular aperol spritz you add 3 parts aperol to 2 parts prosecco and 1 part soda water.
But, I've taken the classic "3-2-1" approach and swapped out light and refreshing soda water for sweet, syrupy cranberry juice. I get so excited the second fresh cranberries appear in the shops - they just scream Christmas to me.
It made perfect sense to me to add cranberries and oranges in a Christmas Cranberry Aperol Spritz!
The recipe
By swapping soda water for cranberry juice, this cocktail is more full bodied and has a festive twist. It's a lovely, long cocktail that is perfect for serving at Christmas or New Years Eve parties.
Cranberry Aperol Spritz, a Christmas Cocktail
Ingredients
- 30 millilitres cranberry juice
- 90 millilitres Aperol
- 120 millilitres prosecco
- 3 cranberries fresh
- 1 sprig rosemary
Instructions
- In a large wine glass filled with ice, pour over the cranberry juice followed by Aperol and the prosecco.
- Garnish with fresh crnaberries and rosemary.
Nutrition
More Christmas Cocktails
The Christmas recipe archive
For Christmas canapes, dinner, pudding, cocktails and more, check out the Christmas recipe archives.
Choclette says
Ooh holidaying in New Zealand. How absolutely wonderful. It's such a fab country. I remember eating ice-cream as we strolled around Christchurch on Christmas Day when we were travelling there many years ago. Your cocktail looks suitable festive and sounds like I need to knock one or two up to try.
Emma Walton says
We didn't make it quite as far down as Christchurch! Just stuck to the north Island this time. Will definitely be going back though! Can't recommend this cocktail enough. It's going to be my go-to drink this Christmas I think!
Dannii says
What a beautiful coloured drink. I can see this being very popular when served up at a Christmas party.
Camilla Hawkins says
This looks so festive, would love to try as I've never had the pleasure of this cocktail-)
Emma Walton says
Treat yourself Camilla! You deserve it!