Cooking and reading are two of my favorite hobbies. When life gets busy, say in the midst of the holiday gauntlet, I rely on cookbooks as both instruction manuals and reading material. Flipping through cookbooks I’ve had for years is a way to reconnect, and I always come away with a new idea. That’s how I found the holiday cocktail that I’m serving at every gathering I host this fall and winter.
Ina Garten, the queen of effortless hosting, often mentions the importance of having a cocktail ready to go when friends, family, or guests arrive. In flipping through a few of the Barefoot Contessa’s cookbooks, I stumbled upon the most perfect three-ingredient spritzer, which she refers to as her “house cocktail.” It’s light, refreshing, festive, and undeniably delicious.
How to Make Ina Garten’s Campari Orange Spritzer
Ina Garten’s campari orange spritzer couldn’t be easier to make, and that’s the point of a house cocktail. To make this spritzer, add a few ice cubes to a highball glass, then pour in one-part Campari and two-parts orange or blood orange juice. Top it off with cold sparkling water and garnish with a slice of citrus.
My Honest Review of Ina Garten’s Campari Orange Spritzer
Orange juice cocktails, like the screwdriver or mimosa, inevitably taste like breakfast to me. Ina Garten’s spritzer is a lighter version of the Garibaldi cocktail, a classic Italian aperitivo made of orange juice and Campari. Ina finishes the cocktail with sparkling water to make it more refreshing. Since this drink has a lower ABV, it’s suitable to sip at gatherings any time of day, including early holiday dinners.
I realized that Ina first mentioned this spritzer, suggesting blood orange juice, in The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook (though she gives it the proper recipe treatment in Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics). Sure, I enjoyed this sparkling drink with freshly squeezed orange juice, but I knew it would become my holiday go-to once I tried it with blood orange juice. (Blood oranges are available from November to early spring.)
If You’re Making Ina Garten’s Campari Orange Spritzer, a Few Tips
- Use blood orange when available. Blood orange juice has a dramatic ruby hue and a delicious sweet, tart flavor.
- Adjust the proportions. Ina makes this spritzer with one part bitter orange Campari and two parts orange juice. Adjust these proportions to your liking, adding more Campari for a drier, more bitter cocktail or more orange juice for a sweeter flavor profile.
- Batch it for parties. This drink is a cinch to make. Stir a big batch of Campari and orange juice in a pitcher before guests arrive. Keep chilled sparkling water and ice cubes nearby for guests to serve themselves.