The arrival of warm weather has had us all dreaming of far flung trips abroad, but with holidays put on hold for the foreseeable due to Covid-19, the next best thing is to recreate the taste of summer at home.

From humble beginnings in little bars across Northern Italy, the Aperol Spritz has become one of summer’s most-beloved cocktails the world over, thanks to its perfectly balanced sweet-sour flavour and bright orange colour.

But, as much as the spritz has become a staple, it is always fun to experiment and try a different take on a classic.

Traditionally, an Aperol Spritz is made using a mixture of the bitter apéritif with prosecco and a splash of soda water to take the edge off. However, thanks to the rise of super-sweet zinfandels, there is now a new concoction taking over.

In recent years, rosé wine has seen a surge in popularity and it shows no signs of slowing, with experts stating the pink-hued beverage has not experienced this level of interest since the late 1970s.

It makes sense then, as we spend more time alfresco drinking, to combine the two tipples to create one refreshing warm weather cocktail.

Created by Bon Appétit, the new invention substitutes prosecco with sparkling rosé, as well as a a splash of passion fruit juice and a squeeze of lime “to balance the bitterness of the Aperol”. If you can’t get your hands on any sparkling rosé, simply add a splash of soda water to your go-to pink wine for a touch of fizz.

Here’s how to make the ultimate Rosé Aperol Spritz.

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup (177 ml) passion fruit juice, chilled
• ¼ cup (59 ml) Aperol
• ¼ cup (59 ml) fresh lime juice
• 4 teaspoons sugar
• 750ml bottle sparkling rosé, chilled
• Ruby red grapefruit wedges (for serving)

Method:

• Whisk the passion fruit juice, Aperol, lime juice, and sugar in a large pitcher until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the rosé.
• Serve the spritz in a large ice-filled wine glass and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

You can find more easy cocktail recipes to sip on in the sunshine here.

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