This beautiful and delicious cocktail is a combination of our favorite beverages — gin for me, Sanpellegrino ‘sparkle water’ for Diana.
Diana and I met at EatRetreat in the Finger Lakes and I spent my first morning at Finger Lakes Distilling enjoying booze and an absolutely incredible view while she was tasting mushrooms and inoculating logs with shiitake spores at Hawk Meadow Farm. Normally, I drink the beautifully botanical Hendricks on the rocks, but their McKenzie Distiller’s Reserve Gin is a traditional London-style dry gin and is also pretty incredible without any mixers. Since the bright notes up front pair well with some citrus-y sparkle water, we made use of my souvenir spirit to to have a host a mini happy hour at home.
Good gin makes me so happy all by itself, so I pick and choose what I combine it with. Diana usually smashes multiple Meyer lemons or limes in her glass when left to her own devices. Since we can’t always visit LA and make blood orange syrup with the most perfect produce to spike Diana’s favorite sparkle water, we’re going store-bought on this one. Luckily, Sanpellegrino makes a beautiful can of Aranciata Rossa to enjoy anytime and anywhere. Aranciata was one of my favorite Italian words to repeat when I was younger, referring to the fizzy, sweet sodas my brother loved. We will mix this drink for a little alcoholic nostalgia. Add a little lime and your afternoon just got increasingly less productive.
These are best enjoyed poolside with Diana in sunny Los Angeles, but we suffer through them in Chicago, too. Gin makes everything better. Even a Midwest winter. You’re welcome.
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- 3 ounces Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa
- lime zest or wedge, optional for garnish
- Fill a cocktail shaker half-full with ice. Pour gin and lime juice and shake until frothy. Strain over ice into your most beautiful lowball glass . Top with Sanpellegrino. Garnish with lime zest or a wedge. Enjoy immediately.
