Christmas Cranberry Aperol Spritz with Prosecco

Christmas Cranberry Aperol Spritz

This cranberry-red spritz balances bittersweet Aperol with tart cranberry juice, Prosecco, and a splash of club soda. It’s built in a rounded stemmed glass over ice, with whole cranberries and a rosemary sprig to finish.

The measures make one drink, but the sweetness depends on the cranberry juice: unsweetened juice keeps it tart, while cranberry juice cocktail makes it sweeter. Chill the ingredients and add the Prosecco and soda just before serving to keep the spritz cold and fizzy.

Ingredients for a Cranberry Aperol Spritz

• Ice, enough to generously fill a large rounded stemmed wine glass
• 1 1/2 ounces Aperol, chilled
• 1 1/2 ounces unsweetened cranberry juice, chilled
• 3 ounces Prosecco, chilled
• 1 ounce club soda, chilled
• 3 to 5 fresh cranberries
• 1 small sprig fresh rosemary

For a sweeter spritz, replace the unsweetened cranberry juice with cranberry juice cocktail. A thin orange slice is an optional additional garnish.

How to Make a Christmas Cranberry Aperol Spritz

1. Fill the glass: Add ice to a large rounded stemmed wine glass, leaving room for about 7 ounces of liquid.
2. Add the still ingredients: Pour the chilled Aperol and cranberry juice over the ice.
3. Add the bubbles: Pour in the chilled Prosecco, followed by the club soda. Stir gently once or twice with a bar spoon. Taste; if you want a sweeter drink, add a small splash of cranberry juice cocktail.
4. Garnish and serve: Add the whole cranberries and place the rosemary sprig so it extends above the rim. Serve immediately while the drink is cold and visibly fizzy.

Choosing Cranberry Juice

Unsweetened cranberry juice gives the drink a sharper cranberry flavor alongside Aperol’s bitterness. Cranberry juice cocktail makes it less tart. Cranberry syrup is sweeter and more concentrated than either juice, so it should not replace the juice in the same amount.

Make-Ahead and Storage

For a gathering, multiply the Aperol and cranberry juice by the number of drinks and refrigerate the base in a covered container. Do not add ice, Prosecco, or club soda to the stored base. Pour it into individual ice-filled glasses, then add the sparkling ingredients and garnishes just before serving.

A finished spritz is best served right away because its bubbles fade as it sits. Freezing the finished drink is not recommended; it will lose its sparkling texture. For another holiday spritz, try this Pomegranate Christmas Spritz.

Nutrition

Approximate nutrition per cocktail, excluding ice and garnishes: 150 calories, 0g protein, 0g fat, and 11g carbohydrates. Per 100g of prepared drink: approximately 70 calories, 0g protein, 0g fat, and 5g carbohydrates. Values vary by brand and by the cranberry juice used.