Festive Winter Cranberry Spritz Aperol Recipe

Enjoy the holiday season’s flavors with this refreshing winter cranberry spritz Aperol beverage. This is a perfect blend of flavors for a festive winter cocktail. Cheers!

This winter Aperol spritz will get you into the holiday spirit with warm and comforting hints of cranberries and cinnamon. I have listed not only the recipe for the winter cranberry spritz Aperol drink but also a recipe for homemade cranberry simple syrup. It is easy to do and adds so much to the flavor of this cocktail and goes a long way to making this the perfect drink for this time of the year.

Festive Winter Cranberry Spritz Aperol Recipe

The first time I had an Aperol aperitif and Aperol spritz was during a trip to Italy a few years back. We went to a rooftop bar in Verona that overlooked the coliseum there, and they had an extensive menu of Aperol drinks (not just the classic Aperol spritz) in just about any flavor combination you can imagine! On our last trip to Italy I had a few in various cities. I love to see the variety!

While Aperol aperitif and Aperol spritz and spritzers are now considered classic cocktails, many variations exist – including this delicious cranberry cocktail!

A traditional Aperol spritz is usually considered a summer drink because of how refreshing it is. However, this festive cocktail is the perfect cocktail to share with friends and family at your next holiday party or gathering. It is an easy drink to make, and the simple ingredients meld together deliciously.

While this cranberry Aperol spritz recipe is sure to become a favorite cocktail when holiday festivities are neigh, it is also a refreshing drink to have just because you want a cocktail! You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to mix up this great cocktail.

What is the difference between a spritz and a spritzer?

A spritzer is a mix of wine and sparkling water. A spritz is a mix of sparkling wine, a bitter liqueur, and sparkling water such as club soda or mineral water.

Aperol is bright orange in color and has a bitter taste. In this delicious cocktail, the Aperol is offset by the sweetness of the syrup. The cinnamon really comes through in the syrup and has warm hints of cranberries and spices. Perfect for a winter evening or a holiday party.

Tips and variations for making this Festive Winter Cranberry Spritz Aperol Recipe:

● Jar the cranberry simple syrup for future use. Be sure to cover it and store it in the fridge for up to 3 months.
● The cranberry syrup should be cooled for a few minutes before you add any cocktail ingredients, but keep in mind that the ice will help to cool it in the glass.
● Any unused cranberry simple syrup should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
● If you wish to add more cinnamon sticks to the simple syrup, you can. Just realize it will change the final taste of your simple syrup and your Aperol spritz cocktail.
● If you do not have a large wine glass, use a 10 ounce cocktail glass.
● Prosecco is used in this recipe, but you can use any sparkling wine you may enjoy.
● Sugared Cranberries Recipe – for a real holiday flair! If you make these for your garnish, the leftover water is basically simple syrup.
● I have listed orange slices as a garnish, but if you prefer, an orange wedge will work just as well.
● If you use a jigger to measure the liquors in the spritz, that is generally one ounce. If you use a jigger like this, the smaller side is ½ ounce.

If you enjoy cranberry flavor and are looking for the perfect holiday cocktail? Here are some other festive cranberry holiday cocktails you might enjoy:

● Cranberry Bliss Cocktail Recipe – a good cocktail for cranberry lovers.
● Cranberry Mimosa Drink Cocktail Recipe – a good drink for your holiday brunch. Mix up a large pitcher!
● Holiday Cranberry Sangria Recipe – the perfect holiday drink. I use a punch bowl for this tasty cocktail.

Festive Winter Cranberry Spritz Aperol Recipe Ingredients:

For the Cranberry Simple Syrup:

● 1 cup fresh or frozen Cranberries
● 1 cup Granulated Sugar
● 1 cup Water
● 3 fresh Orange Slices
● 1 Cinnamon Stick
● Star Anise, to taste
● Cloves, to taste
● Rosemary, to taste

For the Cocktail:

● Ice
● 1½ ounces Cranberry Simple Syrup
● 1 ounce Soda Water
● 1 ounce Aperol
● 3 ounces Prosecco or any sparkling wine
● Sprig of Rosemary, Orange Curls and Slices, and Cranberries for garnish

Festive Winter Cranberry Spritz Aperol Mise en Place:

● Small Saucepan
● Measuring Cup
● Sieve
● Airtight Container
● Jigger
● Cutting Board
● Knife
● Large Wine Glass (or other 10-ounce cocktail glass)

Festive Winter Cranberry Spritz Aperol Recipe Directions:

1. In a small saucepan on the stove, combine the cranberries, sugar, water, orange slices, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, and fresh rosemary ingredients for the cranberry simple syrup.

2. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 5 minutes. Be careful; the cranberries will pop and split.
3. Remove the cranberry simple syrup from the heat and let it stand to cool for at least 10 minutes.

4. Run the cranberry syrup through a sieve and discard the cooked cranberries. There is enough cranberry simple syrup produced for approximately 5 cocktails; store any leftover simple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

5. In a large wine glass, place 3-4 ice cubes.
6. Pour the cranberry simple syrup over the ice.

7. Add the soda water to the glass.
8. Add the Aperol to the glass.

9. Top with 3 ounces of Prosecco (or any sparkling wine).
10. Garnish with frosted rosemary, fresh cranberries, and orange curls.

11. Serve Immediately.

As always, drink responsibly, and please don’t drink and drive.

Yield: 1

Festive Winter Cranberry Spritz Aperol Recipe

Print

Festive Winter Cranberry Spritz Aperol Recipe. Enjoy the holiday season's flavors with this refreshing winter cranberry spritz Aperol beverage. This is a perfect blend of flavors for a festive winter cocktail. Cheers!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

For the Cranberry Simple Syrup:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen Cranberries
• 1 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 cup Water
• 2 fresh Orange Slices
• 1 Cinnamon Stick
• Star Anise, to taste
• Cloves, to taste
• Rosemary, to taste

For the Cocktail

• Ice
• 1½ ounces Cranberry Simple Syrup
• 1 ounce Soda Water
• 1 ounce Aperol
• 3 ounces Prosecco or any sparkling wine
• Sprig of Rosemary, Orange Curls and Slices, and Cranberries for garnish

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan on the stove, combine the cranberries, sugar, water, orange slices, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, and fresh rosemary ingredients for the cranberry simple syrup.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 5 minutes. Be careful; the cranberries will pop and split.
3. Remove the cranberry simple syrup from the heat and let it cool for at least 10 minutes.
4. Run the cranberry syrup through a sieve and discard the cooked cranberries. There is enough cranberry simple syrup produced for approximately five cocktails; store any leftover simple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
5. In a large wine glass, place 3-4 ice cubes.
6. Pour the cranberry simple syrup over the ice.
7. Add the soda water to the glass.
8. Add the Aperol to the glass.
9. Top with 3 ounces of Prosecco (or any sparkling wine).
10. Garnish with frosted rosemary, fresh cranberries, and orange curls.
11. Serve immediately.
    

Notes

Note that the dietary numbers are very off for this cocktail.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Viski Footed Glass Punch Bowl, Heavy Base Bowl with Angled Design, Party Serveware for Cocktails, Functional Centerpiece, Set of 1, Clear
• 
  JoyJolt Highball Glasses – Set of 6 Colored Drinking Glasses – Glassware Set for Mixed Drinks, Cocktails, or Water – Elegant and Festive Design – Drink Glasses with In-Glass Coloring – 12oz
• 
  Blingco 8 Pack 12 Oz Stainless Steel Stemless Wine Tumbler, Wine Glass Tumbler with Lids & Straws, Double Wall Vacuum Cup Insulated Wine Tumbler for Wine, Coffee, Beer, Cocktails, Champagne(Rose Gold)

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1837Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 46mgCarbohydrates: 423gFiber: 16gSugar: 387gProtein: 3g

Note: for exact nutritional information, consult your dietitian. All nutritional information provided is simply a guideline.

● For more Recipes on Ann’s Entitled Life, click here.

● If you enjoyed this post, be sure to sign up for the Ann’s Entitled Life weekly newsletter, and never miss another article!