Aronia Collins - Feature Mix at Fortney Hotel

Inspired by one of the top cocktails at the Hotel Fortney Viroqua, featuring our juice....

 With or Without Alcohol 

(Non-Alcoholic Version Featured)

A tall, refreshing Collins-style drink where aronia’s tart, bitter, savory, and subtle sweet notes act as a natural flavor amplifier. Crisp citrus and gentle sweetness lift the berry’s depth into a drink that feels both celebratory and grounding. Bright, structured, and endlessly drinkable. It works as a mocktail, aperitif, or daytime refreshment and completes your trio beautifully.

Serves

1

Time

5 minutes

Ingredients

Non-Alcoholic Aronia Collins

• 1 tablespoon dried whole aronia berries

• 1 cup water

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

• 1–2 teaspoons honey or simple syrup (to taste)

• Ice

• Sparkling water, to top

• Lemon peel or fresh herb (rosemary or thyme), for garnish

Optional (Alcoholic Variation)

• 1½ oz gin or vodka (optional; not required for balance)

Method

1. Bloom the Aronia
   In a small saucepan, combine aronia berries and water.
   Bring just to a gentle simmer, then remove from heat and steep 10–15 minutes.
   Strain, pressing lightly on the berries. Cool.

2. Build the Drink
   Fill a tall Collins glass with ice.
   Add aronia infusion, lemon juice, and honey or syrup. Stir briefly to combine.

3. Finish
   Top with sparkling water. Stir gently once.

4. Garnish & Serve
   Express a strip of lemon peel over the glass or add a fresh herb sprig. Serve immediately.

Flavor Notes

This drink highlights aronia’s quiet complexity—bright without being sharp, structured without heaviness. It drinks like a classic Collins but finishes more grounded, with a subtle savory edge that invites another sip.

Optional Alcoholic Version

To convert into a classic cocktail, add 1½ ounces gin or vodka before topping with sparkling water.
The aronia holds its own beautifully—no extra sweetness needed.

Why This Works

Aronia functions here the way bitters or vermouth might in traditional cocktails:
not as the star shouting the loudest, but as the element that makes everything else make sense.

Pairing Suggestions

• Rye–Aronia Brownies

• Savory pork dishes

• Brunch spreads, cheeses, or light pastries