This sparkling cranberry aperol spritz is festive enough for your next holiday celebration, but easy enough to prepare for a quiet night of cocktails at home.
Thanks to Mionetto Prosecco for sponsoring this tasty post. All opinions are always my own.

I made my third trip to Venice, Italy just last month. The first time I visited, it was a quick day trip, and I didn't get it. All I remember is a lot of transportation to get there and then a whole lot of people and pigeons.

The second time, I stayed with a friend in an apartment and spent a few days, and it was then that I discovered what I had been missing. I fell in love with Venice. This last time, I had all the same love, plus more, because I decided to visit the hills where Prosecco was born. Don't worry, I'm not just going to rub this in your face. I came back with a sparkling cranberry aperol spritz recipe to share with you to get your own taste of Italy.

The friend that I stayed with on my second Venice trip was a friend I made while living in Paris. So naturally, she loved a nice aperitif like I did.

Italy partakes in a similar tradition of a pre-dinner drink, called aperitivo. There's often free snacks included that can range from potato chips to cheese and crackers or little sandwiches. My friend and I drank one of the famous Italian aperitivo cocktails of a Spritz every night we were there. And we hated it.

It was bitter and felt unbalanced, but we kept trying. Eventually we built a simple tolerance to it. Then I introduced my dad to the Aperol Spritz on my last trip to Venice. He's more of a beer and wine guy, but he was open to trying a sip of mine.

So I ordered one at a beautiful little restaurant with a patio overlooking a quiet, cobblestone square. I took one sip and almost refused to share. My dad took a sip, and we both ordered another and another. I finally became a true blue Aperol Spritz lover and had to make my own sparkling cranberry aperol spritz when I got home.

The ingredients are typically club soda, Prosecco, and Aperol. If you liked my grapefruit lime mimosa with Mionetto Prosecco, you're going to love this Italian Spritz twist. As I mentioned in my last recipe, Mionetto is no newbie to the Prosecco game. They've been doing their thing in northeast Italy since 1887. They've got the quality and style down. So you can serve this to your fancy friends or even whip it out for a relaxing Friday night at home. Or better yet, how about making this to kick off your Thanksgiving or Christmas festivities.

The cranberries make it holiday-ready. I love the pop of color and am always happy with the popping of prosecco. Bubbles make the party, even if it's a party for one! No judging here.

Enjoy your holiday!

Sparkling Cranberry Aperol Spritz

Makes 2

Ingredient

1/2 cup fresh cranberries, plus a handful to garnish
1 orange - juice and peel for garnish
4 ounces Aperol
6 ounces Mionetto Prosecco
2 ounces Soda
Ice cubes

Instructions

Place the cranberries and juice from the orange in a shaker and smash the cranberries with a muddler until they've broken into pieces. Add ice cubes and Aperol, cover and shake until combined.
Take two glasses and fill with ice cubes. Strain the mixture into the glasses. Top each with 3 ounces of Prosecco and 1 ounce each of soda. Stir and taste. Adjust the proportions as desired.
Garnish with whole cranberries and orange slices or zest.

This post was sponsored by Mionetto Prosecco, but all opinions are always my own. Content for 21+.