While I could wax rhapsodic about many of the wines I tasted that evening, the drink that stood out to me most was the refreshing—and seemingly simple—welcome cocktail, which I remembered as a sort of carbonated (and alcoholic) anise lemonade.
So nearly one year later, I reached out to Franny herself, to try and recreate the original drink. Simple to prepare, it’s an excellent palate opener and especially wonderful for any seafood-centric feast. If you’re Italian—or celebrating like one—give it a try this Christmas Eve! 
Christmas Eve Aperitivo
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Description
Kick off your Feast of the Seven Fishes with this light and refreshing cocktail, featuring notes of tangerine, citron and anise.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Kettle Citroen (or other citron-flavored vodka)
- 1/2 oz Meletti Anisette
- 1 tangerine (or 1.2 oz tangerine juice)
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- club soda
Instructions
- Fill a Collins glass with ice. Set aside
- Juice one tangerine over a strainer (to catch seeds). Set liquid aside.
- Combine tangerine juice with vodka, anisette and simple syrup over ice. Stir until well mixed.
- Refresh collins glass with two new ice cubes. Pour tangerine, vodka, anisette mixture into the glass. Top with cold club soda.
Notes
While Franny likes to serve this cocktail in a Collins glass, I also enjoy it without ice in a small Picardie tumbler.
- Category: Cocktail
- Cuisine: Italian
