Published December 21, 2010 06:29PM
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.
'Ring in the new year with this champagne twist. (Crystal Sagan)'
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!