A SUMMER CLASSIC REINVENTED FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
It's really feeling like the holidays and while the end of the year is near, don't worry - I am coming to you with LOTS of great holiday recipes and content to close out the year. :)
On that note, how is it December already? The holidays are in full swing (the back-to-back holiday parties make me the happiest), and I’ve been dreaming up recipes to make this festive season spread extra special. We're recipe testing A LOT over here and my house smells miraculous.
And since we're talking all things festive, Prosecco or sparkling wine ALWAYS feels celebratory. I’ve wanted to create a Desi-inspired twist on the beloved Aperol Spritz for a while, and when I spotted blood oranges on sale at Whole Foods, the inspiration came to me as I was checking out. A remix with vibrant freshly squeezed blood orange juice and crushed cardamom?
What I love most about this Blood Orange Cardamom Aperol Spritz recipe is how easy it is to batch for a crowd. I’ve been playing around with ways to make it even more festive, and one of my favorite tricks is making ice cubes well in advance to fit the vibes. Think rosemary sprigs and slices of fresh blood orange frozen into the cubes. As the ice melts, the blood orange infuses deeper into the Aperol Spritz, giving it even more flavor and truly making you feel like you're at the swankiest of holiday bars. After many years of being in charge of making drinks during the holidays, it’s little details like this that turn a drink into a standout AND not how much time you spent making it.
While on the topic - I must also add that spritzes are also incredibly customizable, making them a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. While I’ve included my favorite proportions below, it's really simple to add a DIY spritz bar to your holiday parties this season. Guests can tweak the balance of Aperol, Prosecco, and soda to their liking. And if you’re hosting guests that would prefer a n/a option, we've got something for them too! Since our bar already has club soda, freshly squeezed blood orange juice, and festive ice cubes, just add one of my favorite non-alcoholic Prosecco alternatives: TÖST. It’s crisp, lightly fruity, and so chic. I’ve been gifting bottles to friends who don’t drink, and it’s been such a hit! You can find TÖST at specialty grocery stores or order it online at The Zero Proof to stock up for your party. Use my code THETASHMASHUP15 for a sweet discount!
The holidays always bring out all the feels for me, and this year is no different. I’m so excited to share this A++ recipe with you—I for one will be making this for Christmas. Here’s to closing out 2024 with joy, gratitude, and a nice little drink to toast with. Cheers!
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INGREDIENTS
2 oz Aperol
3 oz blood orange juice (freshly squeezed if possible)
4 oz Prosecco or sparkling wine of choice
1 oz club soda (or more, to taste)
4-5 fresh cardamom pods, crushed in a mortar and pestle, OR 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
Blood orange slices and/or fresh rosemary sprig, optional for garnish
DIRECTIONSÂ
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In a mixing glass or shaker, combine Aperol and your cardamom. If using fresh cardamom pods, add 4-5 crushed pods and shake to infuse or let it sit for 30-40 minutes if you can be patient. If using ground cardamom, add 1/4 tsp ground cardamom and shake to combine.
Then add in your blood orange juice and shake once more.
Fill a large wine glass or coupe glass with ice. For an extra festive touch, use ice cubes with frozen rosemary sprigs or blood orange slices - be sure to check out the notes section for more on this.
Strain the Aperol-blood orange-cardamom mixture into your glass, being sure to discard the cardamom pods, if using, when straining.
Top with Prosecco and a splash of club soda. Adjust the amount of both the prosecco and soda to suit your taste preferences.
If you are not using a festive ice cube with rosemary and/or blood orange slices, feel free to go ahead and add a few blood orange slices and/or a rosemary sprig directly to the glass as a garnish. Enjoy!
~ Serves 1
Notes
To make ice cubes like the ones pictured above, slice a fresh blood orange into thin half-moon shapes (like "C"s), then fold and layer the slices into a rose-like spiral. Place the "rose" into an ice cube tray compartment, top with a small sprig of rosemary, and carefully fill with filtered water (this is a game changer for clearer ice) before freezing. These cubes are so cute to look at!
I mentioned this above but creating a DIY holiday spritz bar that’s as fun as it is festive is such a pro-host move during the festive season! Include Aperol, sparkling wine or Prosecco, club soda, and mixers like blood orange juice or non-alcoholic bubbly options. Add a variety of garnishes—blood orange slices, rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, and even cinnamon sticks! There are so many options. I always recommend providing your guests with a printed recipe guide with suggested proportions and a few measuring tools. This lets your guests craft their perfect drink with little/to no help from you!
Cardamom infusion tips:
The choice between ground cardamom and fresh cardamom pods is yours. For context, round cardamom blends seamlessly for a smooth, consistent spice throughout the drink, while freshly crushed pods release a more layered flavor. I personally prefer the latter but understand that ground cardamom works when you're in a pinch and a lot of my cardamom recipes call for it. This is one in which I LOVE fresh cardamom pods, muddled with a mortar + pestle. You're in charge here - so go ahead and experiment with both to find your favorite! :)
For an even deeper and aromatic cardamom flavor, consider infusing the Aperol ahead of time. Add 4-5 lightly crushed cardamom pods to the designated amount of Aperol from the recipe, and let it sit for 1-2 hours. Strain out the cardamom to ensure the Aperol is smooth and ready to use. This infusion enhances the spice without needing to deal with pods during drink assembly—efficient for streamlined party prep!
I've had a few people request measurements for 8-10 servings in measurements for my holiday recipes, so here you are:
2 cups Aperol
3 - 3 3/4 cups blood orange juice (freshly squeezed if possible)
4 - 5 cups Prosecco or sparkling wine
1 - 1 1/4 cups club soda (or more, to taste)
10-15 fresh cardamom pods, crushed, OR 2-2.5 tsp ground cardamom (I highly recommend infusing your Aperol with cardamom beforehand if batching)
Ice cubes (make ahead with fresh blood orange slices and/or rosemary sprigs)
For this recipe, I'd measure and scale the Aperol, blood orange juice, and cardamom proportions beforehand and store this in the fridge the day before. On the day of the party, I'd just need to add Prosecco and club soda RIGHT before serving.
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