This year, I’m going a few steps further than the usual on New Year’s Eve.  Instead of spending lots of money on a decent variety of champagne to serve by the flute, I’m going to save a few bucks and go the Italian route—prosecco.  Although prosecco alone is quite lovely, dressed up with a little fruit juice and fancy garnish, this drink will be sure to please my party guests.

Here’s the how-to:

Pomegranate-Ginger Prosecco Cocktail

1 cup Pomegranate juice - chilled
1 tbl. Sugar
1” Slice of fresh ginger – peeled
1/4 cup Freshly-squeezed orange juice
1 tsp. Cointreau
1 tsp. Pama liquour
1 750ml Bottle Prosecco – chilled

Bring the first three ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan.  Lower the heat to a simmer and reduce liquid to a syrup, about a 1/3 of a cup in volume.  Set aside and cool at room temperature.

Once the syrup is at room temperature, whisk in the orange juice, Cointreau and Pama.  Then, divide the mixture amongst four champagne flutes and top with prosecco.

Garnish with a few fresh pomegranate seeds and a finely julienned piece of fresh ginger (optional) and serve immediately.  Happy New Year!

Filed Under: Wine & Libations