At the base of the powdered slopes of Aspen Mountain, stands Snow Lodge, a favorite hang out for skiers and snowboarders finishing a day of sun, speed and vertical. On the outside deck, snow-happy groups arrive for winter aperitivo hour. DJs spin and toasts of the ultimate après-ski cocktail, Spritz, begin.
This year, Snow Lodge chose NYC's Dante–one of the World's 50 Best Bars and America's Best Bar of 2020– to host the winter festivities. Open for a European-style breakfast and lunch, Dante's cocktails bring the flavors and traditions of the Italian Alps and New York City to the American Rockies.
This exclusive Spritz cocktail recipe blends the bitter notes of Alpine botanicals found in Italian vermouth with the bite of citrus. It takes on a scarlet color from a throat-warming Raspberry brandy and a dry Mediterranean Rosé. Instead of the customary Prosecco, mineral water, and scarlet Aperol, this Spritz calls for more ingredients and less alcohol, so that night skiing and a half-day of backcountry trekking are still an option.
“Though rosé and raspberry generally elicit springtime seasonality, I wanted to create a cocktail that would feel just as appropriate on a wintery ski slope patio as it would in a New York June," said bartender extraordinaire AK Hada. “Ideal for the daytime, this low ABV spritz has a good balance of bitterness and spice to fruit and floral.”
Dante also prepares a Bellini, its flagship Garibaldi, and the Espresso Martini. A traditional Aperol Spritz is on the menu, too, but their original “Halfdays Spritz” is something else. Cin Cin!
Halfdays Spritz Recipe
2 oz Whispering Angel Rosé
0.25 oz St. George Raspberry Brandy
0.75 oz Carpano Bianco Vermouth
0.5 oz Select Aperitivo
0.25 oz Vanilla Syrup
3 dashes Regan’s Orange Bitters
Orange Wedge as Garnish
Available at Dante at the Snow Lodge in Aspen, CO