Pear Aperol Spritz

Summer ending doesn’t mean the end for Aperol spritzs! This pear Aperol spritz is the perfect reason to sit back and drink another Aperol spritz.

Yield: 1 cocktail

Ingredients:

• 4 pear slices, plus more for garnish
• ¾ ounce lemon juice
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ounce Aperol
• Ice
• 1½ ounces Prosecco, chilled
• ½ ounce club soda, chilled

Directions:

In a mixing glass, muddle the pear slices with the lemon juice, simple syrup and vanilla extract. Add the Aperol and ice, and stir until well chilled. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass and top with the Prosecco and soda. Garnish with pear slices and serve.

Image Source: Tasting Table

An Aperol Spritz with an autumn twist is basically the cocktail equivalent of a puffy vest: It’s the perfect transition piece from summer to fall. So we tapped bartender Sofia Present of Brooklyn’s August Laura to give the go-to Italian drink a seasonal makeover with one simple addition—and, no, it’s not pumpkin spice.

Present, of the Italian-leaning bar in the Carroll Gardens neighborhood, takes our favorite warm weather drink from sidewalk café to fireside armchair simply by muddling sliced pear into a refreshing Aperol Spritz. “Since we’re located in a historically Italian American neighborhood, using an Italian amaro was a pretty on-the-nose inspiration,” Present says.

To take a seat at August Laura’s wooden bar or slide into the blue leather banquette lining the wall is to jet off to a world where a 4 p.m. cocktail is beyond permissible—if not encouraged. That place is otherwise known as Italy, where aperitivo culture is alive and well. Think of it as a uniquely Italian happy hour with friends gathering over snacks and low-octane drinks, like the effervescent spritz, a wine-based cocktail that typically features the bitter Italian liqueur Aperol.

Read full article here.