This drink transforms a standard Champagne cocktail into something a bit more zesty and floral. Bright orange in color, Aperol is a light aperitif with a unique bittersweet taste that blends beautifully with fruit and bubbly. Making watermelon juice is a snap; simply pop a wedge of seedless watermelon (without rind) into a blender, turn it on for two seconds, turn it off, and you’re done.

Ingredients

　　3 ounces (6 tablespoons) Aperol Italian liqueur

　　3 ounces (6 tablespoons) elderflower liqueur, such as St. Germain

　　Champagne or sparkling wine

　　Seltzer

　　2 ounces (1/4 cup) fresh watermelon juice

　　2 dashes of orange bitters

　　Candied watermelon rind (optional)

　　Divide the Aperol and elderflower liqueur between 2 chilled wine glasses filled with ice. Fill the glasses with Champagne, and after the foam subsides, pour in seltzer to reach almost to the top of the glass. Add 2 tablespoons watermelon juice and a dash of bitters to each. Garnish with a piece of candied watermelon rind if you wish.

　　Michael's Genuine Food