Sparkling Apple Cardamon Cocktail

During the holiday season, I do a lot of entertaining

(OK, I confess I entertain all year long - I love a party, big or small!).

It's not always formal or fancy...

but I do like to offer my guests amazing food and a specialty beverage...

other than coffee, the beverage of choice

for most of my friends is a sparkling wine (or prosecco or champagne).

While anything sparkling is great on its own...

every once in awhile I like to change things up a bit.

Add a new flavor...

add a new twist...

and surprise my guests!

 

The flavors in this cocktail are warm and rich and feel like the holidays!

Sparkling Apple Cardamon Cocktail

(Printable recipe)

Makes 4 cocktails

10 Cardamon pods (crushed)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 cup good quality apple juice. I used R.W. Knudsen Organic Apple Juice (purchased in my local grocery store)
6 ounces Prosecco or Sparkling Wine**, chilled. Select a prosecco or sparkling wine that you enjoy, but you do not need to use "the best of the best," as we will be adding flavor to this drink. 

For a non-alcoholic version, try replacing the prosecco with ginger-ale!

Mix It!
Essentially you are making a simple syrup (very similar to my vanilla syrup)

Prepare the Apple Cardamon Simple Syrup 
Yield about 8 ounces

• First, crush the cardamon seeds. I simply placed mine on a cutting board and smashed them with the blunt end of a large knife. They easily smashed and the seeds were released. Be sure to remove the pod and only use the seeds.

• Place the  1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar, and 10 seeds of the (crushed) cardamon in a medium sauce pan and slowly bring the mixture to a boil until the sugar is dissolved.
• I had my mixture on a low heat and it took about 10-15 minutes.
• Add the 1 cup of apple juice to the mixture and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Let cool, and transfer  the mixture and the bean to am airtight container (I use a mason jar).

Mix the Cocktail

• Place 6 ounces of prosecco in a champagne flute
• Add 2 ounces (or more if you prefer an even sweeter cocktail) of the apple cardamon simple syrup to the prosecco.
• Gently mix
• Serve, enjoy, amaze your guest!

I cannot wait to serve this at my next party!

What's your favorite holiday drink?

Be sure to head over and see how I planned a Bubbles and Brew Couples Shower and enter to WIN A $25 TARGET GIFTCARD.

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre