Aperol Cosmos

The perfect Spring time cocktail has arrived: the Aperol Cosmo!

Sister to my favorite edition of an Aperol drink, the Aperol Spritz, I wanted to try something new during the quarantine days.

First I'd like to tackle the most common question: what is Aperol?

It's an Italian bitter apéritif made of gentian, rhubarb, and cinchona, among other ingredients. In more common words, it's a concentrated liquor that is low in alcohol but packs a potent taste (so use sparingly).

Once mixed with the alcohol/ mixers of choice the taste is similar to oranges. This shouldn't come as a surprise since the color itself is a vibrant hue of blood orange to begin with. Now another common bitter used widely in Europe for Spring and Summer drinks is Campari - Campari is extremely bitter and is probably my least favorite bitter cordial out there. Aperol however is a complete 180 opposite of its similar looking Campari neighbor.

So what do you need to make your own Aperol Cosmo?

Tools:

- Shaker glass

- Jigger (make sure it measures 1 and 1/2 oz pours)

- Martini or Coupe glasses (any really will do but I love a good drink glass)

- 2 oz Vodka (I used local distiller Mr. Tom's - it's certified sugar free and gluten free!)

- 1/2 oz Aperol

- 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice

- Ice

I love the comeback the coupe glasses are having. The coupe glass was once the original design of the champagne flute. However it was discovered that champagne does best with a small surface area (this is in order to preserve the carbonation) so hence how we all understand the champagne flute design is today.

Directions:

1. Fill shaker cup with ice half way

2. Pour 2 oz Vodka into cup

3. Pour 1 oz fresh lime juice

4. Add 1/2 oz Aperol

5. Shake vigorously until shaker is chilled (10-20 seconds)

6. Pour into glass of choice

7. Lightly dust rim with lime wedge or peel

8. Garnish and Enjoy!

Stay tuned for more Grazing Haus Happy Hour recipes coming soon!