JANUARY 2020 59
Spiced Pear Spritz
TOTAL 5 MIN; SERVES 1
Sweet pear and warm spices team
up to deliver this cozy winter spritz.
Velvet Falernum liqueur is thick
and sweet; if you have trouble find-
ing it, you can use simple syrup
as a stand-in.
2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
2 Tbsp. (1 oz.) pear-flavored
vodka (such as Grey Goose La
Poire)
1 Tbsp. (^1 / 2 oz.) Velvet Falernum
liqueur or simple syrup
1 whole star anise
Thin pear slices
4 to 6 Tbsp. (2 to 3 oz.) chilled dry
sparkling white wine
Splash of club soda (optional)
Fill a large wine glass halfway with
ice. Add bitters, vodka, liqueur, and
star anise. Add a few pear slices;
top with sparkling wine and, if
desired, club soda. Stir gently, and
serve.
NOTE We used John D. Taylor’s
Velvet Falernum, a low-proof spirit
from Barbados.
Ruby Red Spritz
TOTAL 5 MIN; SERVES 1
This rosy, bittersweet aperitif will
prime your appetite. If you want it
sweeter, add a dash of simple syrup,
or replace the fizzy soda water with
a splash of grapefruit soda.
2 Tbsp. (1 oz.) dry gin
2 Tbsp. fresh Ruby Red
grapefruit juice
1 Tbsp. (^1 / 2 oz.) Campari
4 to 6 Tbsp. (2 to 3 oz.) chilled dry
sparkling rosé
Splash of club soda (optional)
Thyme sprig
Thin Ruby Red grapefruit slice
Fill a large wine glass halfway with
ice. Add gin, grapefruit juice, and
Campari. Top with sparkling wine
and, if desired, club soda, and stir
gently. Smack thyme between your
palms, and add to cocktail with
grapefruit slice.