Yes, it's the holiday season, and you might want a libation to go with that fine Thanksgiving or Christmas meal. If you're looking for party or dinner drink ideas, look no further than the new cookbook, Seasons Around the Table. Author Jessie-Sierra Ross came by Tonia's Kitchen to talk about her drink section of the book, and her philosophy of the holiday cocktail. She says a good holiday drink is all about balancing flavors, and among them, the Cranberry Aperol Spritz, is among her favorites. It's an Italian liquor that's quite popular in Italy for doing shots, but doused with Cranberry and Orange, it's a very festive drink that should keep the good times going at your gathering!
Cranberry Aperol Spritz
Ingredients
4 ounces (120 ml) prosecco
2 ounces (60 ml) Aperol
1 ounce (30 ml) Cranberry Orange Simple
Syrup (see below)
1 ounce (30 ml) soda water
optional garnishes:
frozen cranberries, orange slice, or edible
flowers
Instructions
1. Take a large wineglass and fill halfway
with ice.
2. Pour in the Aperol and simple syrup.
3. Next, add the prosecco and gently stir.
4. Finally, top off with soda water.
5. Garnish with an orange slice, frozen cranberries,
or edible flowers like dianthus.
This easy-to-make simple syrup adds a tart sweetness to any cocktail! Using a bit of my New England–Style
Cranberry Sauce, we’ll infuse this lovely syrup with lots of sweet and tart notes!
• Makes about 1 cup •
Ingredients
¼ cup (80 g) New England–Style Cranberry Sauce
1 cup (200 g) sugar
1 cup (240 ml) water
zest of 1 navel orange (without the pith)
1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
6. Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan and mix.
7. Place the pot on medium-high heat and bring to a low boil
for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. After boiling, remove from the heat and let cool slightly
before straining into a glass mason jar with a fitted lid.
Discard the solids.
9. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Excerpted with permission from:
Seasons Around the Table: Effortless Entertaining with Floral Tablescapes & Seasonal Recipes Copyright © 2024 by Jessie-Sierra Ross, Schiffer Publishing, Ltd
