Napa Spritz Recipes

APEROL SPRITZ

Steps:

• Add the Aperol to a glass filled with ice and stir. Top with the sparkling wine and soda water.
• Squeeze in the orange wedge and stir gently, then serve. Serve with a straw to minimize dilution!

CUCUMBER VODKA SPRITZ

Steps:

• Add the cucumber to a blender and blend on high until pureed, about 1 minute. (If your cucumber doesn't blend easily, you can add up to 2 tablespoons of water to help it along).
• Pour the cucumber mixture into a strainer over a bowl and press the juice through, leaving the solids behind. (You should have about 1/2 cup juice.)
• In a pitcher, stir together the cucumber juice, vodka, lime juice and agave. Pour in the sparkling water and stir. Fill 4 rocks glasses with ice and divide the spritz among them. Garnish each with a cucumber spear and mint sprig and serve immediately.

SPICED LILLET SPRITZ

Steps:

• Make the spiced syrup: Combine 1 1/2 cups water, the sugar, cloves, cinnamon stick and blood orange zest in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar; simmer until syrupy and reduced to 1 cup, about 15 minutes. Let cool, then strain.
• Make the cocktail: Combine the Lillet, blood orange juice and 1 tablespoon of the spiced syrup in a large glass and stir. Add ice and top with seltzer. Garnish with a blood orange slice.