5-minutes Summer drink recipe: Spritz

It all started when a heat wave hit Paris that I was not prepared for.

Last summer I traveled to Paris to visit my sister and her family there. They live in an amazing apartment that can’t be more European even the architects would be tried harder: no air conditioner whatsoever, but its wooden floors, small kitchen and a tiny balcony facing the street, only big enough to accommodate a small table and a couple of chairs.

So there I was, sweating and feeling overwhelmed by the high temperatures and humidity, so different from LA’s dry heat I am used to, and my sister just tells me: Give me five minutes and I will give you the most refreshing drink you can think of. And that balcony is just perfect for an evening cold drink as an aperitif.

So she ran to the kitchen and in less than five minutes she concocted a bright orange velvety drink that smelled lightly alcoholic, herbal and zesty. And it was simply perfect to deal with the weather and set the tone for a Parisien evening.

Here it is the original Three, Two, One, Spritz! recipe:

3 parts of Prosseco wine

2 parts of Aperol liquor

1 part of soda*

Ice and a slice of orange

Directions:

1. Start by adding ice into the glass.
2. Pour in the Prosecco, the Aperol and add a splash of soda
3. Top with a slice of orange.

This serving avoids the Aperol settling at the bottom.

*Note: My sister prefers to substitute the soda water with lemon-lime soda (regular or zero calories), as it softens the natural bitterness the herbs of the Aperol brings, but it doesn’t make the drink too sweet.

Now my husband and I drink spritz every other weekend while seating on our balcony by ourselves or when we invite over friends. This drink looks so colorful and has so much personality that we always get comments praising the flavor and how refreshing it is.

Ready to try it out?

Cheers!