Aperol Spritz Jello Shots

A spritz for the modernist.

aperol spritz jello shot cocktail recipe john perry yates illustration

Aperol, the classic Italian ingredient from Padua, provides the lightly bitter base for this unexpected iteration of the most famous spritz cocktail. Its bending of Italy’s classic aperitivo is a move taken from the Italian Futurist playbook, an art movement that used food and drink as a means to manipulate dream states and play with expectations.

Ingredients

Yield: 10 2-ounce shot cups

  • 1/3 cup orange juice, fine strained
  • 1/3 cup orange juice, fine strained
  • 2/3 cup Aperol
  • 2/3 cup Aperol
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup prosecco
  • 1 cup prosecco
  • 1/3 cup water, hot
  • 1/3 cup water, hot
  • 5 teaspoons gelatin
  • 5 teaspoons gelatin

Directions
  1. Add fine-strained orange juice, sugar and Aperol to a mixing bowl.
  2. Add gelatin and hot water (should be simmering, but not boiling).
  3. Whisk together until all gelatin has dissolved, about 4 minutes.
  4. Add prosecco and whisk gently.
  5. Pour the mixture into 2 ounce plastic shot cups and place in the refrigerator.
  6. Let chill at least 2 hours before serving.