Blood Orange Sparkle Spritz
A bright, sparkling cocktail that brings together blood orange, aperol, and spiced hibiscus syrup with a splash of prosecco. Lightly floral, citrusy, warm, and perfectly balanced. This is one of our top holiday cocktails of the year, equally stunning for Christmas gatherings or cozy winter nights.
Because every drink deserves a beautiful moment.
Spiced Hibiscus Syrup
Ingredients
2 cups water
1 cup dried hibiscus flowers
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
2 cinnamon sticks
2 orange peels
1 cup sugar (or equal to the amount of brewed tea)
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine water, hibiscus flowers, ginger, cinnamon sticks, and orange peels.
Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 3–4 minutes.
Remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes.
Strain through a fine mesh sieve, pressing gently to extract the liquid (you should have about 1 cup).
Return the liquid to the saucepan and add sugar, stirring over low heat until fully dissolved.
Cool to room temperature, then transfer to a jar or bottle and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.
Blood Orange Sparkle Spritz
Ingredients
1½ oz Aperol
1 oz blood orange juice (freshly squeezed)
½ oz spiced hibiscus syrup
1–2 oz prosecco
Optional: 1 oz sparkling water
Optional: edible glitter
Blood orange slice for garnish
Instructions
Fill a small stemless wine glass with crushed ice.
Add Aperol, blood orange juice, and syrup.
Stir gently, then top with 1–2 oz prosecco and, if desired, 1 oz sparkling water.
Garnish with a blood orange slice or twist.
Notes from the Bar
Balance
Less prosecco keeps the cocktail light and balanced — 1 to 2 ounces gives the perfect sparkle without dilution.
Bubble Options
You can make it lighter by using all sparkling water instead of prosecco. It’s just as refreshing and ideal for daytime sipping.
Glitter Joy
Adding edible glitter to this cocktail is the perfect extra touch when you're celebrating the season or a specail occasion with friends.
Syrup Swap
We highly recommend making the hibiscus syrup. It’s used in several of our cocktails and adds such a beautiful winter note. However, if you’re making this cocktail in spring or summer, you can substitute simple syrup instead. During the holidays or colder months, though, we think the spiced hibiscus syrup is the only way to go.
Citrus Swap
If blood oranges aren’t available, use regular orange juice. It offers the same brightness with a softer color.
Aperitif Choice
For a more bitter, complex flavor, swap Aperol for Campari. The color deepens and the drink leans a little more sophisticated.
Glassware
We love serving this in a small stemless wine glass, which keeps the bubbles lively and the presentation cozy yet elegant.
Garnish
A thin blood orange wheel adds a vibrant, festive finish.
Seasonal Tip
This cocktail transitions beautifully from fall to winter. Think Thanksgiving aperitif through New Year’s brunch.
Heads up: We may earn a small commission on products we’ve linked here. We only recommend the real-deal favorites from our kitchen.
until next time, keep the spirit high and the company good,
Kevin & Kate
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