Strawberry Elderflower Spritz

May Dinner Party Debrief #2

You should be batching your cocktails.

Handing your guests a drink as soon as they walk in the door not only makes them feel immediately welcome, it sets the vibe, and makes your life easier.

Mixing drinks, one by one, while you’re trying to chit chat and finish your work in the kitchen, is an unnecessary use of time.

I love choosing a seasonal, appropriately themed drink that is nonalcoholic, by default, but can be spiked if people choose. Something that feels a little fancy but is incredibly easy for you, the host, to put together.

Enter: the spritz.

I’m known to put out a spritz bar at most of my parties. A few kinds of aperitifs (aperol, of course, campari, amaro, limoncello, etc.), a bottle of prosecco, and club soda. Everyone can make a drink to their taste.

For my most last supper club, I wanted a spin on the Hugo spritz. Floral, bright, and refreshing, it is quintessentially spring.

Strawberry and elderflower syrup, aperol for some bitterness, prosecco, and club soda.

Perfect!

Strawberry Elderflower Spritz

Ingredients:

• 1 lb strawberries, cleaned and hulled (~450 grams)

• 225 grams white sugar (or ½ the weight of strawberries)

• 3 strips lemon peel

• Juice of one lemon

• ¼ cup elderflower syrup

• Aperol

• Prosecco

• Soda Water

For one drink:

• 1.5 ounces strawberry syrup

• 1.5 ounces aperol

• 3 ounces prosecco

• 1 ounce soda water

Combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon peel in a lidded container. Mix to combine and set aside until sugar is fully dissolved, 24-36 hours. After 24 hours, place into the fridge to avoid fermentation.

When ready, strain strawberry solids from the liquid. Eat the fruit with yogurt or over ice cream. Take the syrup and combine with lemon juice and elderflower syrup. Chill until ready to serve.

To make a drink, combine ingredients in a large wine glass over ice. Serve with a lemon peel for garnish.

For a nonalcoholic version, serve 1.5 oz strawberry syrup with 3 oz soda water.

To batch for a party, combine syrup, aperol, and prosecco. Top each drink with soda water as guests arrive to maintain carbonation.