Backcountry Bartender: New Year's Sparkling Cocktail
Ring in the New Year with this twist on the classic champagne cocktail featuring pomegranate and brown sugar.
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Celebrating the New Year tent-side just got better– bubbles are now backcountry friendly. Francis Coppola (yeah, “The Godfather” director) Winery’s Sofia Blanc de Blanc Sparkling White is a must-pack for New Year’s trips where glass is an unfriendly option. Pair with a side of pomegranate, brown sugar, and citrus, and you have a delicious sparkling wine cocktail. We’re calling this one the Holiday 75- a twist on an old classic, the French 75. Normally made with gin, sugar, lemon, and champagne, our version plays up the holidays.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp. fresh pomegranate seeds
1 oz. 42 Below Vodka
1 oz. brown sugar simple syrup*
2 lemon slices, squeezed
1 can Francis Coppola’s Sofia Blanc de Blanc Sparkling White Wine
*Combine equal parts brown sugar and water and bring to a boil. Allow to cool before packaging.
At home:
Combine fresh pomegranate seeds, vodka, brown sugar simple, and lemon squeezes in a zip-top bag. Pack as many similarly prepared cocktails in a wide-mouthed water bottle and seal tightly.
On the trail:
Chill contents of zip-top bag in a cool stream or snow pack. Once chilled, add contents of the zip-top bag to a GSI Nesting Champagne Flute (or similar glass) and top with Sofia Blanc de Blanc Sparkling White Wine.
Happy New Year!