Drink of the Week: Bicyclette

Summer's not over yet! This is a really nice aperitif in that it's not too alcoholic (in other words, one or two won't knock you on your heiney).

A Bicyclette is similar to an Italian apertivo called a Spritz. A Spritz is made of a bitter apertivo (usually Campari) mixed with prosecco (usually in a 1 to 2 ratio). Ver' nice.

The Bicyclette is a little simpler and you may have the ingredients at hand. White wine and sparkling water take the place of the prosecco. It's a refreshing, very drinkable drink.

Bicyclette

Put a few ice cubes into a shaker glass. Mix together:

• 2 oz. white wine
• 1 1/12 oz. Campari
• 1 oz. sparkling water

Pour over ice. Garnish with an orange or lemon slice.

A great variation is made with Aperol substituted for the Campari. Aperol is newly available in the US. It looks like orange Robitussin but does not taste medicinal in any way. It's orange-flavored, with a gentle bitter note.

An Aperol Bicyclette looks a little like orange Fanta.