Aperol Spritz

When I first moved to New York, I was introduced to a fun new cocktail - an aperol spritz. Aperol is an Italian aperitif with a bit of a citrus flavour. A few months passed, and there it was again - at the top of a cocktail menu in one of New York's most popular speakeasy bars. The very next day, I was at a restaurant and heard a man next to me order a…I'm sure you can guess... aperol spritz! I came back to Toronto and decided to recreate the refreshing delicious drink for my family (even the LCBO made a big deal about the aperol)! Then, crazily enough, I went to a Charlie's Burgers dinner (see the droll worthy pictures below) and the aperitif was an aperol spritz.

If, unlike me, you haven't had or haven't heard about this drink, please order it or even better - recreate it yourself!

The recipe is on the back of the bottle:

Aperol Spritz
Ice
Slice of Orange

3 parts Procescco

2 parts Aperol

Splash of soda water

Don't Scream Bloody Mary!

One thing I do love is a fabulous brunch paired with an even more fabulous brunch cocktail. One thing I do not love is America's lack of Cesar's on their boozy brunch menus. Being a canuck allows me to enjoy these bloody mary esque cocktails with clamato juice (tomato and clam juices) instead of regular old tomato juice. I am well aware that this concoction sounds awful but let me tell you- with the hit of worchestershire sauce and heaping tablespoon of horseradish you have a delicious combo.

While living in New York I have to settle for simple bloody marys. Cookshop (at 10th and 20th, in the Meatpacking District) makes a GREAT one. They add olives to theirs which makes me love it even more.

I have attached recipes for both bloody marys and caesars - whichever you choose do NOT forget the seasoned salt and go heavy on the spiciness!

Martha Stewart's Bloody Mary

• 4 cups tomato juice
• Juice of 2 large lemons
• 1 to 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 heaping tablespoon prepared horseradish
• 1 1/2 cloves garlic, passed through a garlic press
• 2 teaspoons coarsely ground pepper
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• Unflavored vodka, to taste
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Celery sticks, for serving and munching

Classically Canadian Caesar

• 1 1/2 oz vodka
• 4 oz clamato juice
• 2 dashes Worchestershire Sauce
• desk of tabasco Sauce
• celery salt (to line the rim)
• pepper to taste
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Celery sticks, for serving and munching

For both drinks, line the rims of a highball class with celery salt,  combine ingredients with lots of ice, and most importantly, enjoy!