What are you making this frigid election eve? If cracking out the champagne and chips to watch the returns on your newly back-in-action cable box is a part of the plan- like so many of us in the NYC area- consider taking a little time to craft a special cocktail to get you through a nail-biting race to the finish.
I give you the Aperol Spitfire: a balanced blend of sweet, sour, spice, and smoke. And did I mention the bubbles? Sweet Aperol Aperitif, fresh orange juice, bubbly, and bitters bring out all the layered flavors of the dry roasted oranges. For a variation, try mixing it up with seasonal citrus as well: Blood oranges in the debt of winter would make this cocktail a cozy welcome home from the cold any night.
A perfect go to for holiday cocktails, and ideal for dark and stormy winter nights, my Aperol Spitfire will have you singing, sipping, stumping, and fireside chatting all season long.
Aperol Spitfire
makes 1 fire-cracking cocktail
For the Fire Roasted Oranges:
2 oranges, juice 1 over a sieve (reserve) and slice the other in 1/8 inch slices
2 tablespoons floral honey
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 tsp smoked sea salt
pinch chinese five spice
pinch cayenne pepper
For the Spitfire:
1 ounce Aperol
Juice of 1 orange (about 3 ounces)
2 ounces + Prosecco, Champagne, or sparkling wine
Dash of club soda
dash of orange bitters
3 Fire roasted oranges
Method
1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Arrange orange slices on a baking sheet lined with a silpat mat or parchment paper. Sprinkle the orange slices with honey, sugar, salt, and spices. Roast for 30 minutes, flipping the oranges half way and adding any remaining powdered sugar to the not sprinkled side.
2. Remove oranges from the baking tray and let cool slightly. To make the cocktail, place one center cut roasted orange slice in the bottom of a rocks glass.
Add ample amount of ice cubs then add the Aperol, orange juice, and fill with bubbly till almost at the top. Add a dash of club soda and small swig of bitters, and finish with another roasted orange slice, stir very slightly to combine flavors, or leave in layers letting the drink look very much like a winter sunset.
3. Garnish with a third roasted orange slice, by making a small slit allowing the orange slice to rest on the rim of the glass. Serve, sip, savour, and enjoy!
Darcy Jones
