WILMINGTON — There’s just days left before the turn of the New Year. Have you made your plans?
Whether your headed out for a night on the town or staying at home to celebrate 2017, Port City Daily has you covered with our series of celebratory cocktails.
Our reporters have stopped by businesses in downtown Wilmington, to ask mixologists what type of cocktail would they make to celebrate 2017. They’ve shared some unique drink recipes for us to pass on to our readers. We’ll be sharing each one until New Year’s Eve.
Manna Mixologist Ian Murray has spent many years developing his career in the profession and has hailed to the Wilmington area from prestigious bars such as the Penn and Pencil Club in Philadelphia and the Down Stairs Lounge at the Mercer Hotel in New York City.
More from our New Year’s cocktail series
New Year’s Cocktails: The District’s mixologist shares the recipe for his “Carolina 75”
For his New Year’s pick, Murray made an “Aperol Spritz.” It’s a classic bartender’s drink made with Aperol, Carpano, a red vermouth, lemon juice and sparkling wine.
“This is one of those drinks; if you want to see if a bartender knows what’s up, order this and see how he makes it,” Murray said.
Try this drink at home or visit Murray at the bar for this cocktail classic. If your making it at home, Murray added that his is a big fan of the Carpano Antica vermouth he used in the mix of his cocktail.
Here’s the recipe to try at home:
- 1.5 oz. Aperol
- 1 oz. Carpano Antica
- ½ oz. lemon juice
- Top with Gruet (American New Mexico dry sparkling white wine)
First take the Aperol, the main ingredient of this drink, and pour into a mixing tin. Add Carpano Antica vermouth and fresh lemon juice to the tin, and shake for a few seconds. Double strain into cocktail glass and top with Gruet.
Watch Murray make the Aperol Spritz from the bar of Manna:
Manna is located at 123 Princess St. in downtown Wilmington. For business hours and more information about the restaurant, visit Manna’s website or follow them on Facebook.
