Contratto Spritz

This refreshing spritz from the Elysian Bar New Orleans is an excellent aperitif. It features sweet tangerine and mild licorice flavors. It is refreshingly bitter and light, perfect for sipping while you eat a few bites at night. A dehydrated lemon slice is added to the spritz. Simple syrup can be used to brush it. This helps preserve its crisp, sweet texture.

Ingredients

1/4 cup (2 oz.) Contratto Aperitif

1/4 cup (2 oz.) 1/4 cup (2 oz.) dry sparkling wine like Prosecco

1/4 cup (2 oz.) club soda

1 Dehydrated Lemon Slice (recipe follows)

Directions

Fill a large chilled wine glass with ice. Mix in Contratto, sparkling wine, and club soda. Stir once. Serve by garnishing the glass with a dehydrated lemon slice.

Dehydrated Lemon Slices

About 16 slices. Active for 10 minutes. Total time: 1 hour 40 minutes

2 (4-oz.) 2 (4-oz.)

1/4 cup granulated Sugar

1/4 cup water

1. Heat oven to 200°F. Place an oven-safe wire rack on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Place lemon slices in one layer on the prepared baking sheet. Set aside.

2 Bring sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan on medium heat, stirring occasionally. Stir frequently and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Take off the heat. Simple syrup can be used to brush both sides of each slice of lemon. Bake in the oven for 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. I was flipping the lemon slices halfway through baking time. Allow cooling entirely on a wire rack for about 15 minutes. Keep at room temperature for up to one week in an airtight container.