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A day on the trails sometimes calls for a more refreshing cocktail than the bourbon-heavy beverages that typically come to mind. This spritz from Ivy Mix—co-owner of pan-Latin bar Leyenda and owner of Fiasco Wine and Spirits, both in Brooklyn—captures the spirit of fall in a cocktail that’s thirst-quenching and refreshing. Inspired by a drink Mix designed for Bluebird Barbecue in her home state of Vermont, this cocktail is bright and tart, almost like a lemonade, with a balance of cranberry and spices to make it feel like fall. While it’s intentionally low in alcohol, you can level it up with more gin if you like.
Ingredients
Cranberry syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cranberry juice (we like Knudsen)
- ½ cup water
- 8 clove pods
- 6 kernels allspice
- 4 star anise pods
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Cocktail
- ½ cup cranberry syrup
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- 3 Tbsp. London Dry Gin, such as Bombay Sapphire
- 1½ Tbsp. of Aperol
- ¼ cup of club soda
- Lemon twists
Preparation
1. In a small pot, combine sugar, cranberry juice, water, cloves, allspice, star anise, and cinnamon. Stir and bring to a simmer over low heat, then remove from heat and stir to dissolve sugar fully. Let stand until the mixture cools to room temperature, at least an hour, and then strain. Discard solids. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
2. Combine cranberry syrup, lemon juice, gin, and Aperol in a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and shake until the outside of shaker is very cold. Fill two wine glasses with ice and divide shaken cocktail between glasses. Top with club soda and garnish with lemon peel twists.