Sweater Weather is my citrusy winter cocktail that lives perfectly between cozy and refreshing. Bright, zippy, and just punchy enough, it is ideal for cold nights, holiday hangs, or happy hour in a very cozy outfit.
Recipe name at a Glance
- 🕒 Total Time: 5 minutes
- 🍸 Servings: 1 cocktail (easily scalable)
- 🍊 Cuisine Type: Winter Cocktail / Citrus Spritz
- 🧂 Flavor Profile: Bright and citrusy with fresh orange, warming ginger, zippy lime, and a crisp tequila backbone finished with bittersweet blood orange bubbles
- 📖 Dietary Info: Naturally gluten-free; vegan; alcohol optional
- 📦 Storage Notes: Best enjoyed immediately; base can be batched ahead and topped with bubbles just before serving
- ⭐ Why You’ll Love It: Festive without being heavy, cozy yet refreshing. This is the kind of winter cocktail you can shake up on a whim and sip all season long.
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Why I Love This Recipe
This Sweater Weather (basically a citrusy winter cocktail) is all about balance. Fresh orange juice brings natural sweetness, ginger adds warmth, lime keeps everything sharp, and tequila blanco gives it a clean, crisp backbone. Topping it with Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa Italian Soda adds bubbles and that bittersweet blood orange flavor that makes the whole drink feel special. It is festive without being heavy and easy enough to make on a whim.
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Ingredients
- Fresh orange juice or blood orange juice
- Fresh ginger or ginger juice
- Lime juice
- Tequila blanco
- Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa Italian Soda
- Blood oranges or regular oranges for garnish
Substituions
🍊 Citrus Swaps
- Blood orange juice — deeper color and slightly more bitter-sweet flavor.
- Cara Cara orange juice — sweeter and less acidic.
- Tangerine or mandarin juice — softer, sweeter citrus vibe.
- Grapefruit juice — more tart and grown-up; add a touch more sweetener if needed.
🌶 Ginger Options
- Fresh ginger juice — bold and spicy (the gold standard).
- Muddled fresh ginger — works perfectly if you don’t have juice.
- Ginger syrup — sweeter and smoother, great for batching.
🍋 Acid Adjustments
- Lime juice — classic and sharp.
- Lemon juice — slightly softer and rounder.
🍸 Spirit Swaps
- Tequila blanco — clean, crisp, and ideal here.
- Mezcal — adds a subtle smoky winter twist.
- Non-alcoholic tequila alternative — keeps the structure for a mocktail version.
🍊 Garnish Swaps
- Blood orange or orange wheels — classic and pretty.
- Candied ginger — highlights the spice note.
How to Make
Add the orange juice, ginger juice, lime juice, and tequila to a shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled. Strain into an ice filled glass. Top with Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa, garnish with an orange slice, and serve immediately.
🍊🧣✨ Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Sweater Weather Cocktail
Lean into the season. This cocktail shines on cold nights, during holiday hangs, or anytime you want something refreshing without feeling summery.
Fresh citrus is non-negotiable. Freshly squeezed orange (or blood orange) juice makes the citrusy winter cocktail bright and lively instead of flat. It’s worth the extra minute.
Balance the ginger carefully. Ginger adds warmth, not heat. Start with a little, then taste and adjust so it stays cozy, not spicy.
Use tequila blanco for a clean finish. Blanco keeps the drink crisp and lets the citrus shine. Anything aged will overpower the brightness.
Add the bubbles last. Always top with Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa Italian Soda right before serving so the drink stays light and effervescent.
Control the spritz level. More Aranciata Rossa makes this citrusy winter cocktail more refreshing and brunch-friendly, less makes it bolder and more cocktail-forward.
Choose the right glass for the moment. Rocks glass feels cozy and casual, stemless wine glass feels a little more festive. Both obviously work.
Garnish it up. A blood orange wheel or orange peel adds aroma and makes the drink feel finished without trying too hard.
Batch the base for easy hosting. Mix the citrus, ginger, lime, and tequila ahead of time, then shake and top each glass with bubbles when guests arrive.
FAQ's
Can I batch this citrusy winter cocktail cocktail?
Yes, multiply the base ingredients and shake in batches, then top each glass with Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa Italian Soda just before serving.
Can I make this citrusy winter cocktail with another spirit?
Mezcal works if you're into it, but tequila blanco gives the cleanest, brightest flavor.
Is this citrusy winter cocktail sweet or tart?
It is balanced, lightly sweet from the orange juice and Aranciata Rossa Italian Soda with a fresh citrus bite from the lime.
Can I make this citrusy winter cocktail alcohol free?
Yes, skip the tequila and add extra orange juice and Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa Italian Soda for a great mocktail.
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Sweater Weather
Ingredients
- 2 ounces fresh orange juice or blood orange juice
- ½ ounce fresh ginger juice
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 2 ounces tequila blanco
- 2 ounces Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa Italian Soda plus more to taste
- Blood orange or regular orange slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the orange juice, ginger juice, lime juice, and tequila to a shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled.
- Strain into an ice filled glass.
- Top with Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa Italian Soda, garnish with an orange slice, and serve immediately.
