According to a new study, Aperol Spritz is New York’s cocktail of choice. Or, at least the Aperol Spritz is the most frequently googled drink recipe by New Yorkers. Oddly enough, its not that its a difficult drink to make.
Based on monthly Google searches in New York, a study by QRFY found that the Aperol Spritz narrowly iced out the Margertia. Hamptonites know this rivalry well. What’s the best drink for the afternoon? To keep it fair, we won’t count Wolffer Estate’s Summer in a Bottle. Don’t leave it up to Google, Hamptons.com has you covered with the ultimate Aperol Spritz recipe courtesy of a genuine Aperol aficionado, Laura White.
In the Hamptons, the iconic orange hue of the Aperol Sprits is ubiquitous with brunch, afternoon cocktails, poolside vibe sessions, and “Cheese O’Clock” (more on that later).
Just because you google “Aperol Spritz” doesn’t mean you’re going to get a good recipe. In fact, to my taste, there is no Aperol Spritz that can compare with a deliciously designed Spritz by Laura White. So, Hamptons.com took the research a step further – if New Yorkers are looking for the Hamptons’ best Aperol Spritz – Listen to Laura.
As a real estate agent, Laura is decidedly a waterfront expert (just look at her sold record), but to me, what makes a real waterfront expert is how well they know how to enjoy the waterfront.
To research this story, I hit the street. Or, well, the Marina. Laura White graciously invited me to sample her Aperol Spritz on Lolita while at anchor in the Sag Harbor Yacht Club. On a Summer afternoon, few drinks compare with the light, fresh, and subtly bubbly splash of an Aperol Spritz.
So, what’s the secret to a great Aperol Spritz? “A nice Aperol Spritz is the perfect compliment to a Hamptons sunset or sunrise! It’s no secret, and I would never dream of gatekeeping a recipe! Plus, it’s not really that difficult to make!”
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Get a large wine glass
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Fill it with Ice, preferably small “chewy” ice if it’s available
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Choose your prosecco – it doesn’t have to be super expensive
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Fill the glass with prosecco to about 80% full
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Add the Aperol to taste
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Garnish with an Orange (traditional), or add a lime if you’re feeling zesty!
“The most important part is that you don’t use too much Aperol. It’s plenty flavorful, so a little goes a long way. Plus, you can visually see if you want more or less Aperol based on how orange the glass is. People have different tastes, so you can easily accommodate different drinks.”
As promised, what is Cheese O’Clock? “There is a time during the day, you’ll know it when it arrives; when the only thing missing is – cheese. That’s Cheese O’Clock. Finger food, snacks, maybe a lobster roll.” Sure, saying “charcuterie” may sound worldly, but it’s not nearly as cool or intriguing as Cheese O’Clock.
Some days, when it’s clear, a beautiful Hamptons sunset has an iconic orange hue, almost like an Aperol spritz in the sky. New Yorkers, you don’t need to Google it; just follow Laura’s advice (always a good move).
