Aperol Sour

Looking for a drink to down while sorting through back to school forms and supplies? Try this though I don't guarantee you'll get through it all but at least you'll have more fun, especially designing that organizational chart that will be ignored before we even reach September.

2 oz Aperol
1 oz Cocchi American
3/4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 dash grapefruit bitters
Lemon twist to garnish

Combine all the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake. Pour over new ice and add garnish.

A splash of club soda or sparkling wine could help - the sunflower definitely does.

Division Bell

 

Can't remember where I found this or how long I've even had it sitting around ready to make (was missing an ingredient) but I know that I need to find more cocktails with mezcal. I've had a few recently and been on the look out for more.

 

1 oz Sombra mezcal

3/4 oz Aperol

1/2 oz Luxardo maraschino liqueur

3/4 oz fresh lime juice

Lime twist

Crushed ice.

 

Mix first four ingredients in shaker with ice and pour over crushed ice. Add the lime (or other citrus) twist.

 

All I know is it came from here and it is well worth buying the maraschino liqueur for.

 

Rainy Playdate

The kid was playing quite happily in his PJs on this warm wet Sunday but reached a limit come early afternoon. "Why not call a friend and see if he wants to come over," I said. Before I knew it he was dressed and heading out the door to his friend's house. "Come over for drinks and snacks," I said to the friend - thinking they would need one if they had my kid for a few hours. And come over for drinks they did. This is what I made, riffing (by reducing the gin) on this one called Nomayo (doesn't that sound like something you say at a deli counter?).

1 oz gin
3/4 oz St. Germain
1/2 oz Aperol
1/2 oz Lemon juice
Prosecco
Lemon twist

Mix first 4 ingredients in shaker with ice. Pour into chilled glass and top with chilled prosecco or champagne. Add the lemon twist. This could also work prepared in a jug I think.

I had to make a second batch. The best play dates are the unplanned ones.

Apropos

 

1 oz gin
1 oz Aperol
1/2 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz orange juice
2 dashes orange bitters
Orange twist for garnish

Light on alcohol and just enough to whet your appetite.