War Streets Spritz
For football season, we had a bartender from each NFL team's hometown provide the perfect cocktail to represent their team. "The War Streets Spritz is named in honor of Franco Harris' Italian army and the historic Mexican War Streets neighborhood on Pittsburgh's North Side,” says bartender Michael Anderson of Butcher and the Rye. “Not far from the Steelers' Heinz Field, War Streets represents an ideal setting for a low-alcohol pregame cocktail before walking down the hill for tailgating. Incorporating premium agave spirits and made in an Italian style, the War Streets Spritz is a great way to kick off a day of watching the Steelers dominate the competition."

Ingredients

  • 3/4 oz Espolón reposado tequila
  • 3/4 oz Aperol
  • 1/2 oz Del Maguey Vida mezcal
  • 3/4 oz Ginger syrup*
  • 1/2 oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 dashes Peychaud's bitters
  • Splash Dry prosecco
  • Garnish: 2 lemon wheels
  • Garnish: Fresh ginger root slice
  • Garnish: Basil leaf
  • Garnish: Straw

Directions

  1. Add all of the ingredients except the prosecco to a shaker with ice, and shake until chilled.
  2. Strain into a Collis glass over ice, and top with the prosecco.
  3. Garnish with 2 lemon wheels, 1 slice of fresh ginger root and 1 basil leaf.
  4. *Ginger syrup: Add 8 oz of cleaned (no need to peel it), roughly chopped ginger (each piece should be about the size of your pinkie tip) 8 oz of sugar and 8 oz of boiling water to a blender and blend on high until mixture is smooth, then fine-strain through a sieve, and let cool to room temperature.