Within the throes of a cussed warmth wave, one of many solely issues I would like in my glass is an ice-cold, low-ABV spritz. They’re simple to make and to drink, and make even the stickiest summer season night a little bit bit breezier. Recently, I’ve been making spritzes with Le Moné aperitif wine from New York’s Finger Lakes area. Made with Meyer lemons and agave nectar, it’s tart and satisfyingly viscous, and the ABV clocks in at simply 16%. It’s a flexible cocktail ingredient, too. I’ve substituted it for the triple sec in a batch of sangria and swapped it for the straightforward syrup in a French 75.
However my favourite technique to drink Le Moné is as a easy spritz. I fill a glass or jar with ice, splash in an oz. or two of Le Moné, then high with glowing water. For a punchier spritz, you might additionally add a shot of vodka, gin, or tequila blanco. Would that change it from a spritz to an extended drink? Perhaps. However, as my colleagues level out within the July/August 2024 challenge of Imbibe, the spritz rubric is ripe for personalisation.
It’s an excellent level: From Negroni variations to Martini riffs, one of the best cocktails are sometimes iterative. Moreover, it’s too scorching outdoors to argue. drinklemone.com, $35
