Espresso Frizzante

the drink of spring, with a twist.

last week i came home to find a bagful of oranges in our kitchen, handpicked off a tree by Thomas in his parent’s yard. cuuuute. i turned a lot of them into orange juice which inspired this Espresso Frizzante - known by many as ‘the drink of Spring’.

my version combines the bold flavors of espresso with the tanginess of orange juice and the sweetness of a homemade vanilla, honey & bay leaf syrup, all topped off with the effervescence of sparkling water. it’s perfect for a refreshing pick-me-up on a warm morning or in the afternoon. i hope you love it!

ingredients//

2 shots espresso

2oz orange juice

1oz honey, vanilla & bay leaf syrup (or to taste)

• 1/2 cup water

• 1/2 cup honey

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 bay leaf

sparkling water

orange slice for garnish

ice

method//

to make the vanilla, honey & bay leaf simple syrup: combine 1/2c water, 1/2c honey, 1tsp vanilla extract (or 1/2 vanilla bean), and 1 bay leaf in a saucepan; simmer over medium heat until honey dissolves, then reduce to low and infuse for 10-15 minutes. strain the syrup (remove bay leaf or it will continue to add flavor and they’re quite strong) and let cool.

to make the drink: brew a double shot of espresso (decaf is ok too!) and allow it to cool to room temperature. add ice to a glass and pour in your syrup and sparkling water. mix. then, add your espresso shots and orange juice, stirring again to combine all the flavors. garnish with sliced orange.

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don’t be shy - if you make this recipe and enjoy it, comment below!