The Kate and Ella cocktail - Napa Rose

Since the beginning of our Disneyland trips together, many of our favorite memories have been meals at Napa Rose. This restaurant inside Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa serves “upscale Californian fare” and an ever-changing seasonal menu. Their wine list is impeccable, but one of our favorite parts of our meals here is our tradition of starting with one of their signature cocktails, the Kate and Ella.

This cocktail was inspired by the orange groves that once inhabited the land where Disneyland now lies. It is citrusy and bright, without being too sweet. The herbal liqueurs bring balance and complexity, and we could have several per night. The drink is named after the daughters of the farmer who once owned the land. Their farm was also named after the girls and was called “Katella Ranch.” Sound familiar? This is also the name of one of the major streets surrounding the Disneyland Resort!

We love this cocktail so much that we’ve started to experiment with mixing it up at home. While it’s something we’re always perfecting, here is our recipe for the Kate and Ella:

Kate and Ella

2 ounces Ketel One Oranje

1 ounce Aperol

3/4 ounce Licor 43

1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice

1/4 ounce honey syrup (recipe to follow)

1 orange

Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously. Strain into a champagne coupe or martini glass. Peel a strip of orange above the filled cocktail glass, allowing the spritz from the fruit to land on the surface of the drink. Run zest along the edge of the glass and place into the drink as a garnish.

For honey syrup: combine equal parts honey and water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until honey is dissolved. Allow to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Syrup will keep fresh for up to one month in the refrigerator.

We hope you can make this delicious drink at home! Let us know what you think!