Festive and just sweet enough, this is Winter's answer to the much-loved Aperol Spritz. Combine the famous Aperol with tart cranberry juice and a kick of ginger simple syrup to wow your guests!
Here’s a refreshing and not-too-boozy Cranberry, Aperol & Ginger Cocktail for those of us who will be manning the kitchen over the big holidays. Well, those of us who can only handle one drink after which they should not be trusted around an open flame, 🙋🏻♀️ let alone be in charge of orchestrating a large bird, countless sides and, let's not forget, the gravy!
One of my favorite summer tipples is an Aperol Spritz, but it doesn’t feel quite right to be drinking it when it’s NOT summer. Is there a rule for Aperol? If there is, we're breaking it!
I love prepping the feasts. I put on a good playlist, pour myself a glass of something delicious, slap fingers as the family swans through "taste test" and check on progress. But it’s a fine line for me, one too many and I forget which timer was meant for which dish, and from there it could all snowball into a big disaster.
So here’s a cocktail which is on the lighter side. It’s delicious, refreshing and festive as is, but a little swoosh of gin or vodka wouldn’t go amiss if you’re not in charge! xoxo Kirsty
Ingredients:
For the the Ginger Simple Syrup
Making simple syrup is so easy, and it's fun to experiment with different flavors. Keep leftover syrup in the fridge, it will keep for a few weeks and is always handy to have — you know, in a cocktail emergency.
1 cup (236 ml) water
1 cup (190 g) sugar
2-inch (5 cm) piece fresh ginger, sliced into coins
Add water, sugar and ginger to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
Bring to a boil then simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. When cool, strain out the ginger slices and store in the fridge.
To assemble the cocktail (makes 2)
4 fl.oz. (120 ml) cranberry juice (no added sugar)
4 fl.oz. (120 ml) Aperol
1/2 fl. oz. (20ml) ginger simple syrup
Champagne, Prosecco, ginger beer or sparkling water to top up!
Ice cubes
Combine the cranberry juice, Aperol and ginger simple syrup in a jug.
Give it a quick stir and divide between two glasses with ice.
Top up with Champagne or sparkling water for bubbles!
