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

Fruit Ninja

As you may have guessed, I am feeling a bit nostalgic for my summer travels. Sometimes drab Toronto/New York makes me long for summer sun - and especially summer produce! In Bodrum, Turkey, a small coastal city in Turkey, there is the most spectacular fruit market perhaps in the entire world! (I'll let you know if I find anything better!) The fruit looks as though it has been painted and plumped for these stands but it is as organic as organic can be. I could have sat in front of the market for days staring at (and eating) this beautiful fruit. Can you blame me?!

Gaga for Granville

Last August, while dropping off my younger brother at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, I got the chance to visit Granville Island Public Market. I fell in love. Vancouver is known for not only its its fresh produce and seafood, but for highlighting and celebrating local, organic, sustainable farms.

I drooled as I strolled through the aisles of this massive bustling market. I wanted to try everything.

One place that caught my eye made an endless variety of dips, sauces, soups, and marinades all from local ingredients. My mouth is watering just thinking of it! 

As you can tell, I have serious market-envy of Vancouver residents who have Granville Market (and the ocean) in their backyards!

Granville Public Market is located on Granville Island in Vancouver, British Columbia.