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!
Would love your home espresso machine recommendation!
Would never have dreamed up this combo, but have a lot of oranges so it might just happen!