Aperol Schvitz

This satisfying, yet sophisticated take on an Aperol Spritz features a classic Jewish-American ingredient: Manischewitz. This craft cocktail carefully harnesses the sweetness of Manischewitz concord grape wine without being overly-saccharine—it’s a genius, grown-up use of a familiar, but somewhat sickly, holiday ingredient. Bartender Naomi Levy balances sweet Aperol and Manischewitz with dry sparkling wine and lime juice in her Aperol Schvitz. The cocktail is a crowd-favorite on the menu at Maccabee Bar, Levy’s Hanukkah-themed cocktail bar which pops-up around the holidays in multiple cities. Her menu features cocktails inspired by flavors, stories, and traditions in Jewish culture, with an emphasis on the celebratory fun of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. Levy creates a warm, inviting environment full of festive cheer for Jews and non-Jews alike to celebrate Hanukkah and learn more about the holiday.  

Unlike a traditional Aperol Spritz which combines the citrusy flavors of Aperol, the iconic Italian aperitif, effervescent prosecco, and bubbly soda water, Levy’s take on the cocktail has a bit more sweet-and-sour. She balances the sweetness of the Manischewitz and Aperol with ample freshly squeezed lime. The result is the perfect combination of bitter, tart, and sweet with a refreshing bubbly finish. Served in a tall, stemmed wine glass with a fragrant slice of orange, the cocktail has a fresh and delicious aroma which wafts out of the glass as you take a sip. 

Levy’s cocktails at Maccabee Bar pop-ups all come with generous garnishes and playful names, and the Aperol Schvitz has one of the most memorable names. Obviously a play on words from the cocktail’s classic inspiration, Levy makes a lighthearted reference to perhaps the most well-known Yiddish word: schvitz. In Yiddish a schvitz refers to a few things; it could mean you feel a little hot and sweaty, or it also refers to a sauna or steam room. In this cocktail the word plays double duty: it’s a fun reference back to an objectively silly Yiddish term, plus it describes the schvitz-y condensation that forms on the outside of the wine glass due to the cold cocktail inside. Whether you sip an Aperol Schvitz at a Maccabee Bar pop-up near you or make it at home, channel a bit of Levy’s joyful holiday spirit.