Christmas Tree Spritz

Get ready to say hello to your new favorite holiday drink: the Christmas Tree Spritz. A good spritz is light yet dynamic and refreshingly drinkable; it’s the perfect antidote to the rich standing rib roasts and Bûche de Noëls you’ll find on the holiday table. My version has a wintery green hue, thanks to green Chartreuse, a peppery herbal liqueur made in small batches by Carthusian monks. The bold spirit is brightened by Prosecco and lifted with a little club soda. It’s finished with a sugared rosemary sprig and a few cranberries, and it’ll bring the festive vibes to every gathering.

• Herbal, bubbly, and perfectly festive. Green Chartreuse gives this spritz a dynamic twist with floral and herbaceous notes that are lightened and brightened by the Prosecco and club soda. It strikes a nice balance with all the heavier holiday foods.
• It couldn’t be easier to make! With just three ingredients and one step, this cocktail recipe is so easy. This way, you can focus on making other things — like, ahem, the food.

• Green chartreuse: Gives this cocktail its seasonal green hue. The piney, herbal notes of the liqueur make it the perfect spirit for the season.
• Prosecco: A bit of bubbles help balance the intensely herbal flavors of the Chartreuse while adding a hint of sweetness.
• Club soda: Lifts the cocktail, adding effervescence without competing with the other flavors, making this a light and refreshing spritz.
• Rosemary: When dusted with a little powdered sugar, a rosemary sprig looks like the snowy branch of a tree.
• Cranberries (optional but fun!): Bright and cheery, cranberries pull the festive look together and add a pop of sour sweetness to the cocktail.

1. Rim the glass. Wet the rim of a wine glass with a damp paper towel, and invert the glass into a shallow dish of granulated sugar, turning to coat.
2. Add the ingredients. Fill the glass halfway with ice, then add sparkling wine, green Chartreuse, and club soda. Stir gently to combine and garnish with rosemary and cranberries.

Green Chartreuse can be somewhat pricey. You can substitute St. Germain, which will create a more floral, less herbaceous cocktail as well as a different hue. There are also some American-made spirits that hit a similar spot — like Centerbe from Faccio Bruto or L’Excuse Green.