Enjoy a winter version of an aperol spritz with flavours of cranberry, orange, and rosemary. The sweet juice perfectly balances the bitter aperol, topped with prosecco, club soda, and fresh cranberries. Enjoy this delicious simple cocktail during the holidays.
We all know and love an aperol spritz in the summertime—a refreshing summer drink made of the bitter aperol, sweet prosecco, and club soda. It is bright orange and typically had as an aperitivo, a pre-meal drink designed to open the stomach and stimulate digestion before eating.
This Winter Aperol Spritz is a play on the crowd-favorite cocktail with a seasonal twist! The addition of cranberry and orange fruit juices give a seasonal flavor while adding some sweetness to the drink. It's then topped with the classic prosecco and soda for bubbles. I like to use a flavored sparkling water such as orange, lemon, or lime. A garnish of cranberries, rosemary, and a slice of orange gives a festive look.
This winter aperol spritz is super easy to batch for your next holiday party. It is sure to put you into the holiday spirit during Thanksgiving and Christmas! Made with bar staples and holiday flavors, it is quick and easy to make. This winter cocktail is gluten free and dairy free for all to enjoy during the holidays!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- A refreshing drink. This holiday aperol spritz would be a delicious Christmas cocktail.
- Slightly sweeter than a typical spritz due to the cranberry and orange juice. If you normally think a spritz is too bitter, you'll like this!
- Perfect for the holidays. This drink would be a hit at Thanksgiving or Christmas with its seasonal ingredients and fresh orange taste.
- Uses common bar ingredients.
- Made in 3 minutes. Just stir and enjoy!
- Easy to batch by stirring in a pitcher.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free and vegan.
Want more holiday cocktails and treats? Try my sugar cookie martini, chai espresso martini, healthy gingerbread latte, gluten-free ginger molasses cookies, oreo truffles, healthy peppermint mocha.
Ingredient Notes
Here are all the ingredients you'll need to make this cranberry orange aperol spritz:
- Aperol liquor: You could also use Campari, another bitter aperitivo.
- Cranberry juice: Pure cranberry juice or the more accessible cranberry cocktail will work.
- Orange juice: If you can find blood orange juice, it's extra delicious.
- Prosecco: It doesn't have to be fancy, use your favourite or most accessible.
- Club soda: Lemon or orange flavored sparkling water is my top pick.
- Garnish: Orange slice, fresh rosemary, fresh or frozen cranberries.
Substitutions
There are several ways to change up this cocktail. Here are some substitution suggestions:
- Change the spirit. Campari would be the closest thing to aperol. If you really don't like aperol, you could swap it for vodka, tequila, whiskey, bourbon, gin, or your favorite spirit. You'll still have a delicious sparkling bevvy.
- Adjust sweetness. I don't include any simple syrup in this recipe because it is not typical in a traditional aperol spritz. If you like your drinks sweeter, add some simple syrup, maple syrup, or honey.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Be sure to read the recipe card below for the full recipe.
(1) Add a few ice cubes to a large wine glass. Pour in the aperol, cranberry juice, and orange juice.
(2) Pour a few ounces of freshly opened prosecco.
(3) Add a splash of club soda to mostly fill the glass.
(4) Stir lightly with a long spoon. Adjust the taste to your preference.
(5) Garnish with an orange slice, fresh or frozen cranberries, and a sprig of rosemary. Enjoy responsibly!
What to Serve with a Winter Aperol Spritz
This cranberry aperol spritz is the perfect winter aperitivo and festive cocktail. While it can really be had at any time, it is especially designed to be consumed before eating a large meal to prime the stomach. Enjoy during the winter season with all your friends and family at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Here are some of my holiday faves to pair with it:
- Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookies
- Matcha Shortbread Cookies
- White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
- Gluten-Free & Vegan Oreo Truffles
- Slice-and-Bake Sugar Cookies
- Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Millionaire Shortbread
- White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Check out more Christmas recipes!
Make Ahead
Note that this cocktail recipe is best served and consumed fresh after preparing. If you're preparing ahead of time, stir together the aperol, cranberry juice, and orange juice. Then refrigerate. Add the bubbly prosecco and soda just before serving to preserve the bubbles.
Batching
Make a larger quantity of drinks by stirring the ingredients together in a pitcher. Multiply the ingredient quantities by the number of drinks you wish to make. Be sure to include some ice in the glasses for dilution. See note above about preparing ahead of time.
Expert Tips
Here are some of my top tips and tricks for a delicious winter spritz:
- If you can get your hands on pure cranberry juice and blood orange juice, those are my favorite picks for this spritz. Of course regular versions of both will still be great.
- Store your alcohol and juices in the fridge for an extra cold drink.
- You could make a spritz by replacing the aperol with any liquor. Vodka, gin, tequila, whiskey would all be great.
- Use a flavored soda water instead of club soda for even more subtle flavor. I like to use orange, lemon, or lime sparkling water.
- Stir the spritz with ice for some dilution.
- Garnish with what you have. My favorites are an orange wedge, cranberries, and rosemary sprigs. A cinnamon stick would also be delicious.
- Enjoy before or with a large holiday meal on Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, most distilled alcohols are in fact gluten-free and safe for celiacs due to the distillation process. Aperol is made from orange peel, herbs, and other ingredients that are generally considered gluten free.
Campari would be the closest thing to aperol. If you don't like aperol, you could swap it for vodka, tequila, whiskey, bourbon, gin, or your favorite spirit. You'll still have a delicious sparkling beverage.
This winter cranberry aperol spritz is the perfect cocktail for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Put a festive spin on a classic summery aperol spritz and enjoy with the flavors of cranberry, orange, and rosemary this holiday season. This festive drink is the perfect aperitif with a winter twist for the time of year.
More Drinks
- Gingerbread Protein Shake
- Peppermint Espresso Martini
- Gingerbread Espresso Martini
- Peppermint Mocha Protein Shake
Have you made this winter aperol spritz? I'd very much appreciate it if you leave a 5 star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and review below, and tag me on instagram @fromoliviaskitchen!
Recipe
Winter Aperol Spritz
Ingredients
- 2 oz aperol
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 1 oz orange juice If you can find blood orange juice, it's extra delicious
- 3 oz prosecco
- 1½ oz club soda lemon or orange flavored sparkling water is great
- 1 orange slice
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- Fresh or frozen cranberries
Instructions
- Add a few ice cubes to a large wine glass. Pour in the aperol, cranberry juice, and orange juice.
- Pour a few ounces of freshly opened prosecco. Add a splash of club soda to mostly fill the glass. Stir lightly with a long spoon. Adjust the taste to your preference.
- Garnish with an orange slice, fresh or frozen cranberries, and a sprig of rosemary. Enjoy responsibly!
Notes
- Is this drink gluten free? Most distilled alcohols are considered gluten free.
- Flavor: Instead of club soda, I like to use a flavored sparkling water, such as orange, lemon, or lime.
- Make ahead: This cocktail recipe is best served and consumed fresh after preparing. If you're preparing ahead of time, stir together the aperol, cranberry juice, and orange juice. Then refrigerate. Add the prosecco and soda just before serving to preserve the bubbles.
- Batching: Make a larger quantity of drinks by stirring the ingredients together in a pitcher. Multiply the ingredient quantities by the number of drinks you wish to make. Be sure to include some ice in the glasses for dilution. See note above about preparing ahead of time.
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