Aperol Spritz

Discovered on my 2023 trip to Europe, the Aperol Spritz is ubiquitous there. Aperol is a bitter aperitif from Italy. I had it straight at a museum cafe and found it too strong but interesting. Next tried the Spritz while on a bicycle ride and needing a thirst quencher. Refreshing and delicious.

I had 7 or 8 and found that the proportions of ingredients changed mainly noticeable by how strong the Aperol tasted and the intensity of the reddish colour. It was a couple of times either too strong or too weak. After trying various proportions I found I prefer the standard formula as shown on Aperol's website – 3:2:1

3oz Prosecco
2oz Aperol
1oz Club soda

A variation on the spritz is to substitute Lemoncello for Aperol. Another variation is the fancy Aperol Sour.

Campari is the popular Italian bitter. It has a more intense flavour and a higher alcohol content than Aperol. Mionetto is anothe bitter aperitif that might be worth trying.

Hanky Panky

Ada Coleman, the famous head bartender of the American Bar in the Savoy Hotel, created this cocktail around 1910. The inspiration for the drink came from actor Charles Hawtrey. He had asked Ada to give him a drink with "a bit of punch in it." Ada then spent hours experimenting until she had a new cocktail. The next time Hawtrey came in, Ada served him her new drink and he said, "By Jove! That is the real hanky-panky!"

From Harry Craddock's The Savoy Cocktail Book.

In a cocktail shaker over ice pour:

1½ oz Italian vermouth
1½ oz dry gin
2 dashes Fernet-Branca

Stir and strain into a 4 oz. cocktail glass.
Garnish by squeezing an orange peel over the top.

Whisky 'Mac'

A classic British cocktail of notably of the hunting set is this whisk-ginger cocktail. Created at a time when ginger was consumed for what was thought to be its health enhancing properties. It was created around 1900 by Colonel Hector “Fighting Mac” MacDonald while serving in India.

1½ oz scotch
1 oz Stone’s Original green ginger wine
Slice of ginger for garnish (optional)

Use a blended whisky like Chivas Regal or Johnny Walker. Mix together and pour into an Old Fashion glass. Add ice if desired.