Cherry-Aperol Spritz

Photo by Michael Piazza / Styled by Catrine Kelty

Aperol Spritz is the quintessential Italian aperitif and is perfect for this picnic menu. This riff on the classic includes fresh cherries and sparkling rosé wine. The cherries and oranges are muddled with the Aperol in a large Mason jar for safe and easy transport; the wine is added on site. This recipe can easily be doubled. You will need 2 cups Aperol for every bottle of sparkling wine.

Makes 6 cocktails

½ cup pitted fresh cherries, red or Rainier
½ orange, sliced into ¼-inch half moons
2 cups Aperol
1 (750 ml) bottle sparkling rosé
1 liter chilled seltzer Ice

In a large Mason jar, combine the cherries and orange slices. Muddle them gently with a wooden spoon for about 1 minute. Pour in the Aperol, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

When you are ready to serve, fill the glasses with ice and pour about ⅓ cup of the Aperol mixture into glasses (make sure to spoon out some of the fruit into each glass). Top with about ½ cup sparkling rosé and splash of seltzer.

Picnic Tips: For best results, keep all components well chilled until ready to serve. Transport your Mason jar of Aperol and fruit in the cooler along with the cold sparkling wine and seltzer.

This recipe appeared in the Summer 2020 issue as part of a larger story on Italian-style picnics.