This is THE spring cocktail for 2026 (The Spring Awakening)

Two seasonal cocktail variations from the Waldorf Astoria Bar Book using vodka, Aperol, and Cocchi Americano. The Spring Awakening (garnished with citrus twist) and Winter's Nap (garnished with rosemary) are the same stirred drink, while the Early Thaw is a spritz variation with prosecco and soda water.

smart_display Published 2026-03-20 download Extracted 2026-04-23

3m Prep

5m Total

1 Servings

cocktail vodka aperol cocchi-americano stirred spritz low-abv spring winter aperitif american 3-ingredients easy

Ingredients

The Early Thaw

0.5 oz vodka
0.75 oz Aperol
0.75 oz Cocchi Americano Bianco
3 oz prosecco or dry sparkling wine
0.5 oz soda water optional
for garnish lemon wheel (dropped into glass)

The Spring Awakening / Winter's Nap

1 oz vodka
1 oz Cocchi Americano Bianco
0.5 oz Aperol
for garnish orange or lemon twist (expressed over drink and placed on rim (Spring Awakening) OR rosemary sprig (Winter's Nap))

Steps

The Early Thaw

1

In a lowball glass with ice, add 1/2 oz vodka, 3/4 oz Aperol, and 3/4 oz Cocchi Americano Bianco directly over the ice.

~1 min
2

Top with approximately 3 oz of prosecco or dry sparkling wine. Add 1/2 oz soda water if desired to keep it true to spritz specs.

Tip: Avoid bready or yeasty champagne styles — a dry, crisp bubbly works best. Cava also works well.

~1 min
3

Give a gentle stir to combine. Drop in a lemon wheel garnish — as it sits in the drink, it will release lemon notes that complement the Cocchi Americano.

~1 min

The Spring Awakening / Winter's Nap

1

In a mixing glass, add 1 oz vodka, 1 oz Cocchi Americano Bianco, and 1/2 oz Aperol.

Tip: Fill your jigger all the way to the top for accurate measurements — under-filling leads to a short pour.

~1 min
2

Add ice to the mixing glass and stir until well chilled and properly diluted — about 30 seconds to over a minute depending on how cold your ice is. Look for condensation on the glass and rounded edges on the ice cubes as signs it's ready.

Tip: Stir gently in one direction to avoid adding air bubbles. Most people under-dilute — don't be afraid to stir longer. A chopstick works if you don't have a bar spoon.

~1 min
3

Add ice to a chilled lowball glass. Strain the cocktail into the glass.

~1 min
4

Garnish: for the Spring Awakening, cut a wide swath of orange or lemon peel, express the oils across the top of the drink and along the sides of the glass, then place it on the rim. For the Winter's Nap, gently slap a sprig of rosemary to wake up the aromatics and drop it on top.

Tip: Orange brings out the Aperol; lemon brings out the Cocchi Americano. Use whichever you prefer or have on hand.

~1 min

Nutrition (per serving)

175

Calories

14g

Carbs

Cultural Context

The Winter's Nap / Spring Awakening was created by Frank Caiafa for a vodka event at the Peacock Alley bar of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, appearing in the 2016 revised Waldorf Astoria Bar Book. Peacock Alley was the famous alley connecting the original Waldorf and Astoria hotels (now replaced by the Empire State Building), where New York's elite would promenade. The dual name concept — same drink, different garnish, different name — reflects a playful seasonal identity that is rare in classic cocktail culture.