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58 JANUARY 2020
MAYBE IT’S BECAUSE SPRITZES are lighter-bodied cocktails;
maybe it’s because they’re well-iced. Maybe it’s because the
most iconic spritz, with glowing orange Aperol, looks like a
summer sunset—whatever the reason, people tend to think of
these sparklers mostly during the warmer months.
Seasonality is always a good thing to consider when cocktail-
ing. But it’s time the spritz wandered beyond the territories it’s
long held, the warm piazzas and beach decks, to claim its place
as a quaff for all seasons.
In its use of festive sparkling wine and its frequent role as an
aperitif to open up the appetite for a good meal, the spritz is a
drink waiting to get dressed up for more wintry celebrations.
It can also provide a welcome break from the general tendency
of cocktails to go darker, richer, and more boozy during the
colder months.
Winter spritzing doesn’t mean ignoring the time of year.
Instead it’s about incorporating the flavors of seasonal winter
fruits (such as citrus, pears, and pomegranates), decking the
glass with savory herbs, and bringing the aromas of baking into
the drink via spicy garnishes, bitters, and liqueurs.
So mix up one of these recipes, sit by the fire, and raise a glass
to the return of warmer weather, when the spritz will don its
summer dress again.
COCKTAIL HOUR
A Drink for All Seasons Festive
and stimulating, the spritz is your
ideal winter drink. By M. Carrie Allan
Pomegranate is winter’s most
stunning fruit; here it provides
both a sweet, wine-colored
base and a jewel-like garnish.
The baking-spice notes of
Angostura bitters soften the
juice’s tartness with cozy flavor.
1 Tbsp. pomegranate arils
2 dashes Angostura bitters
2 Tbsp. refrigerated
pomegranate juice
11 / 2 Tbsp. (^3 / 4 oz.) brandy
(or amber rum)
1 Tbsp. (^1 / 2 oz.) ginger
liqueur (such as Domaine
de Canton)
Pomegranate-Ginger Spritz
TOTAL 5 MIN; SERVES 1
4 to 6 Tbsp. (2 to 3 oz.)
chilled dry sparkling
white wine
Splash of club soda
(optional)
Thin lemon slices
Fill a large wine glass halfway
with ice, adding pomegranate
arils as you add ice. Add bit-
ters, pomegranate juice,
brandy, and ginger liqueur.
Top with sparkling wine and, if
desired, club soda, and stir
gently. Add lemon slices.
