I’ve never been one to turn down an Aperol Spritz. Hell, bottles of Aperol and Campari literally tremble in fear when they see me walk into a bar in the summer. But this summer, my taste buds have changed and I’m making spritzes with a completely different ingredient. And dare I say it? They’re way better than anything with bittersweet Aperol in it.
My secret ingredient? Balsamic vinegar.
Yes, I said it. And no, these drinks don’t taste like a Greek salad. In fact, I started playing around with drinking balsamic vinegar (instead of drizzling it) when I visited a real DOP-certified acetaia. There, they ferment and condense grape must in barrels, turning it into a syrupy, fruity liquid gold that makes you think, “Oh, sure, that’s made from grapes.“ It is slightly sweet, silky, fruity and pampers your palate in the most pleasant way.
That is actually the key to the Balsamic Spritz: You need the good stuff, preferably a DOP or IGP certified bottlecalled Balsamic vinegar from Modena. If that sounds too expensive for your spritz budget, don’t worry. A bottle of IGP-certified balsamic vinegar will only cost you about seven or nine dollars and is easy to find at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. Plus, a little vinegar goes a long way, which is perfect for adding a little of that slightly savory-yet-sweet acidity to a refreshing cocktail like a spritz.
How to Make a Balsamic Vinegar Spritz
First, squeeze a grapefruit slice into a chilled wine glass.
Add 4 tablespoons of pomegranate juice and 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar of Modena and stir.
Add a few ice cubes and a splash of vodka (optional, although it’s good if you want a spritzer with a slightly higher alcohol content).
Fill your glass with plenty of sparkling wine.
Stir briefly, then spread a grapefruit slice on top – done!
Take a sip and you’ll notice how the bitterness of the grapefruit blends with the acidity of the vinegar and the slightly tannic sweetness of the pomegranate juice, making it taste like a daydream of the Amalfi Coast. I highly recommend it.
Mackenzie Filson is a food writer and contributing digital food producer at Delish. Her favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate pine and if wine was a zodiac sign, it’d be a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. She’s never seen a bag of Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos that she didn’t eat in one sitting.
