I started cocktail week in 2015 as an opportunity to celebrate adult beverages in an approachable way. I’m not a bartender but I love to experiment and try out new things at home. You know, sort of like a home baker? But with cocktails instead. I love focusing on simple cocktails (check out one of my 5 minute cocktails) and I believe cocktails don’t have to be difficult to make at home. This year, I’m so excited to focus on SPRITZ RECIPES – I can barely contain myself.
Did you know the Handmaid’s Tale is back? Do you even watch it? I was a little late to the game but John and I eventually started watching it and really enjoyed it in a sadistic way. It’s tough to watch sometimes but it’s also really, really good. I’ll also obviously point out, this has nothing to do with today’s cocktail but it’s on in the background as I write this so I thought I’d share with you. I think an amaro spritz (honestly, any type of spritz) would go well with watching a show like Handmaid’s Tale.
Yikes.
I’ve experimented with amaro before; it has a bit of an acquired taste. Out of the four recipes I’m sharing this week, this is the most unique in flavor, I think. I’ve briefly explained what amaro is here before but the short version: it’s an Italian herbal liqueur. It tastes a little like medicine but that’s because it was previously used for medicinal purposes. Please keep that in mind if you make this drink.
Cocktail week: an amaro spritz
I tried to take the focus off of the medicine flavor with this drink and give it cherry undertones instead. I did that by using a little bit of cherry Coke and Lambrusco. Recently, I’ve really grown to love Lambrusco. It’s not heavy like some red wines and most importantly: it’s sparkly.
Another note about this spritz: the cherry Coke. You may add this in and the drink is too sweet or syrupy. I didn’t mind it because it took away some of the bitterness. Alternatively, you could use cherry sparkling water. Regarding the garnish, if you have cherries use them – let’s drive this cherry flavor profile home. I, unfortunately, did not have any cherries on hand so I used what I had. It happens.
Try this amaro spritz and remember that this one may be an acquired taste. Play around with it and see if you come up with any additional combinations that you like!
Ingredients
- 2 oz amaro
- 3 oz Lambrusco
- Cherry soda or cherry sparkling water
- Cherries for garnish
Instructions
- In a glass filled with ice, combine amaro and Lambrusco then top with soda. Cheers!
