Get cozy this holiday season with a Winter Cranberry Aperol Spritz, a cocktail that will add a bit of sparkle to the holidays. This drink is a twist on the classic Italian aperitif cocktail, an Aperol Spritz, that combines bittersweet Aperol, tart cranberry, a touch of lemon juice and finished with some bubbly prosecco.
Aperol is one of my go-to liqueurs for crafting cocktails. It’s typically associated with the summer months, but it can make delicious cocktails all year long!
Drinks like my Aperol Negroni, Martini, and Mule are great examples – they’re versatile enough to enjoy this time of year.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The Cranberry Aperol Spritz gives the classic Aperol Spritz a festive twist with seasonal ingredients like cranberry juice, and fresh rosemary, which is perfect for holiday celebrations.
The bittersweet Aperol pairs nicely with the tart cranberry and lemon for a refreshing light drink. It’s so simple to batch for a party and is always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredient Notes
Aperol: With its unmistakable vibrant orange hue, this bittersweet Italian liqueur can be found at most well-stocked liquor stores.
Cranberry Juice Cocktail: This is a sweetened type of cranberry juice. If you want a more sour cocktail, you can use unsweetened 100% juice.
Lemon Juice: To balance the sweetness in both the Aperol and cranberry juice cocktail, fresh lemon juice adds a zesty, citrus acidity that brightens the drink.
Prosecco: This is a type of Italian sparkling wine. I recommend finding a dry or brut prosecco to help balance the sweetness of the other ingredients.
Seasonal Garnishes: I like to use fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary for garnish. An orange slice or pomegranate arils would also pair nicely. You could also throw in a cinnamon stick for a spiced kick.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the cranberry juice and Aperol to a wine or spritz glass.
Step 2: Add the lemon juice and top with prosecco. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.
Expert Tips & Variations
- Take care to gently place ice cubes into your glassware when preparing a Winter Aperol Spritz. Use an ice scoop and let the cubes slide in softly to protect your delicate glasses.
- Chill your ingredients prior to mixing. This will help to keep your cocktail cold and refreshing.
- If you like a sweeter cocktail, you can add a splash of simple syrup or fresh orange juice.
- If you want a more sour cocktail, opt for 100% pure cranberry juice or increase the lemon juice amount.
- To bring out a more bitter flavor, add a few dashes of orange bitters to your drink, adjust the amount of Aperol, or swap the Aperol for Campari (a more bitter Italian liqueur).
Making a Batch & Make Ahead Tips
This recipe is very easy to batch, and it can be partially prepared in advance, which is great for a holiday party. Scale up the ingredients based on the number of servings you plan to offer.
To make a batch:
- Add all of your chilled ingredients to a large pitcher. You can allow guests to self-serve.
- Pour the chilled drink into glasses already filled with ice. Don’t add ice to the batch as it will get watered down.
- Freeze fresh cranberries in advance to add to the pitcher to keep cool without dilution.
To make ahead:
- Partial mix: You can mix the Aperol, cranberry juice, and lemon juice ahead of time and keep it chilled in the refrigerator up to a day in advance.
- Prosecco: Add the chilled Prosecco as close to serving time as possible to ensure the drink is fresh and bubbly.
- Garnishes: Prepare garnishes ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator or a cool place. By separating the bubbly component and the ice from the main mixture, you can enjoy a fresh batch of the Cranberry Aperol Spritz whenever you’re ready to serve.
Suggested Glassware
A spritz is best served in a large wine glass, which allows ample room for ice and garnishes while also providing enough space for the bubbles and aromas to circulate, enhancing the drinking experience. A highball glass could also work well, especially for more casual occasions.
Here are a few of my favorite glassware options:
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Lenox Tuscany Classics 4pc Beaujolais Wine Glasses
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Viski Raye Faceted Crystal Wine Glasses Set of 2
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Since a traditional Aperol Spritz is the perfect aperitif to serve with appetizers, this winter version pairs beautifully with charcuterie boards, like my Christmas Tree Board or Wreath Board.
Also, seafood appetizers like my Spicy Cranberry Shrimp are an excellent pairing as well. My Whipped Goat Cheese Crostini or Tomato and Pesto Whipped Feta Bruschetta are a couple of other great accompaniments.
A dry or brut Prosecco is typically recommended because its dryness offsets the sweetness of this winter spritz, maintaining a balanced taste.
You don’t have to break the bank by any means – I wouldn’t spend more than $20 on a bottle of sparkling wine if I’m using it in cocktails.
(Full disclosure: I’ve used prosecco for cocktails that range in price, but more often than not, you’ll find me using Kirkland Prosecco from Costco for cocktails. It only retails for around $7!)
More Holiday Cocktails
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📖 Recipe
Cranberry Aperol Spritz Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Aperol
- 2 ounces cranberry juice cocktail
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- 3-5 ounces Prosecco
- Rosemary and fresh cranberries for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Add the Aperol and juice to a large wine glass or spritz glass filled with ice.
- Top with prosecco and garnish with rosemary and/or fresh cranberries, if desired.
Video
Notes
- 2 cups Aperol
- 2 cups cranberry juice cocktail
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 3-5 cups prosecco (equals about 1-1.5 (750ml) bottles)
- Rosemary and fresh cranberries for garnish (optional)
- Add all of your ingredients to a large pitcher. You can allow guests to self-serve.
- Pour the chilled drink into glasses filled with ice. Don’t add ice to the batch as it will get watered down.
- Freeze fresh cranberries in advance to add to the pitcher to keep cool without dilution.
- Partial mix: You can mix the Aperol, cranberry juice, and lemon juice ahead of time and keep it chilled in the refrigerator up to a day in advance.
- Prosecco: Add the Prosecco as close to serving time as possible to ensure the drink is fresh and bubbly.
- Garnishes: Prepare garnishes ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator or a cool place.
Nutrition
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Amber
I made this as a signature cocktail for a Christmas party at my house. Everyone LOVED it! Thankfully I bought extra Aperol as everyone wanted seconds, thirds, and fourths.
Melissa
That’s so lovely to hear! So happy it was a hit!
Pat
I loved Aperol spritzes and this one was great! I can’t wait to make it again.