VALENCIA ORANGE-ALMOND SPRITZ
Written by Just Water
Looking for a cocktail as multifaceted as a Swiss Army knife and as seductively delicious as Swiss chocolate? We’ve paired our citrusy superstar Valencia Orange Bubbles with a stacked team of sophisticated cocktail MVP's, including bourbon, amaretto, and a splash of moscato. It’s fruity, slightly nutty, and is the perfect addition to a grown up game night, a lively book club with the girls, or conversation-heavy dinner party with a great group of friends. Think of it as a high-end glow-up for your glass that’s equal parts refreshing and impressively fancy, while being simple enough to mix up to maintain that coveted effortless ease all the cool kids are donning these days.
For the Almond Citrus Spritz
What You’ll Need:
Yields: 1 serving
- Ice
- 1 ounce Blood Orange Syrup (recipe below)
- ¾ ounce bourbon
- ¼ ounce amaretto
- 4 ounces Valencia Orange Bubbles
- 3 ounces chilled moscato d'Asti (sparkling white wine)
- Orange twist, for garnish
What You'll Do:
- Prep the Glass: Fill a wineglass half full with ice.
- Combine Flavors: Add the Blood Orange Syrup, bourbon, and amaretto; stir gently to combine.
- Add the Bubbles: Top the mixture with the Valencia Orange Bubbles and the chilled moscato d'Asti.
- Finish: Garnish with an orange twist and serve immediately.
For the Blood Orange Syrup
Yields: About 1 cup
What You’ll Need:
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 Tbsp. blood orange zest
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup blood orange juice (from approx. 2 small oranges)
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
What You’ll Do:
- Zest & Sugar: Pulse the sugar and zest in a food processor until the sugar is moistened and the zest is finely chopped.
- Dissolve: Heat the sugar mixture and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar is dissolved (about 3 minutes).
- Infuse: Remove from heat and stir in the blood orange juice and lemon juice.
- Chill: Transfer to a jar and chill, covered, for at least 1 hour. (Can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 month).
What to Pair it With:
Since this drink is basically a tuxedo in a glass, you’re going to want snacks that can keep up without making a mess of the upholstery. Here are three salty sidekicks that play well with those citrus and almond notes:
- Marcona Almonds with Sea Salt & Rosemary: Since there’s already a hint of amaretto in the glass, doubling down on almonds is a pro move. The rosemary adds an earthy punch that keeps the sweetness of the moscato in check.
- Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon or Figs: The saltiness of the cured meat cuts right through the blood orange syrup, while the fruit mirrors the Valencia orange vibes. It’s fancy, it’s effortless, and it makes you look like you have your life together.
- Aged White Cheddar or Manchego: You need a cheese with some "crunch" (those little tyrosine crystals). The sharpness of a good aged cheddar stands up to the bourbon’s boldness, while a nutty Manchego highlights the almond notes without breaking a sweat.
JUST WATER
Valencia Orange Bubbles-- 16 fl oz | 24 Pack
