Sip on our Equinox Spritz, a rich and opulent drink. Featuring our Shiraz-based Ultimate Red Wine Vinegar for a sophisticated, bright finish for every guest.

November 29, 2021By Rex Marketing & CX Team

Hand holding red spritz in wine glass with cinnamon, wine and vinegar bottles on orange background

American Vinegar Works Equinox Spritz

Name: Equinox Spritz
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 1 Person
Cuisine: Modern American
Ingredients: 3oz Lambrusco; .75oz AVW Ultimate Red Wine Vinegar; .75oz Cardamaro; .5oz cinnamon syrup; 5 dashes Angostura bitters; 2oz aggressively fizzy mineral water (like Topo Chico or Agua Castello)

This spritz, gently reminiscent of a cool mulled wine, is an effervescent delight. Our UltimateRed Wine Vinegar, which utilizes California Shiraz (Syrah), gives it a rich and opulent brightness. We served this drink at the ribbon cutting at our historic vinegar works and it was a crowd favorite with some folks describing it as a fall sangria. A spritz that is sure to please at any time of year but that we love during sweater weather.

A note on amaro. Amaros are Italian herbal liqueurs sometimes served as digestives. There are many brands and styles of amaros but, because of the herbs used, their flavors really do vary. For this spritz we would recommend sticking with the Cardamaro which is made with a Mediterranean wild thistle (so fancy!...). We did try the recipe with our favorite amaro, Cynar, which is made from artichoke and the truth is that the drink just wasn't the same. Which all goes to show that our bartender friend-- who developed this recipe just for our vinegar-- is right again...

A note on the syrup. I know it sounds intimidating (or at least it was to me when I first saw it...) but it really is just dissolving sugar and water together with some cinnamon sticks for flavor. You can do it. Empress your friends and neighbors! And use the leftovers to sweeten your tea.

This recipe features our Ultimate Red Wine Vinegar, opens in a new tab.

Which vinegar to use, and why

A drinking vinegar needs real fruit. The cranberry here is co-fermented rather than added, so it tastes like fruit instead of syrup. We use Cranberry Apple Cider Vinegar here. It is slow-fermented and aged in oak at our mill in Worcester, Massachusetts, which is why it seasons the dish rather than just souring it.

Make it ahead and keep it

Mix to order. For a batch, combine everything except the ice and anything fizzy, chill it, and finish each glass as you pour.

What to cook next

Try Honey Hibiscus Spritz, or browse all our vinegar recipes. If you have not cooked with craft vinegar before, a mini bottle sampler set lets you taste across the range before committing to a full-size bottle. Orders over $85 ship free within the contiguous US.