Wham! Ha-cha! Kerpow!
Two posts in a row. You didn’t think I was capable, did you? Did you!? Admit it, mom!
Not only that, but.. I haven’t been the most consistent of posters as of late. Clearly, as evidenced by my weeklong silence then back-to-back deliciousness marathon. Half-marathon. OK, more like a 10k 5k power-walk through the mall.
A while back, I mentioned how I was oh-so-busy, because obviously all of the other food bloggers out there posting regularly are not busy (ha ha ha), with some major projects, but that they were finishing up soon. Well, I was surprised with a few big and super exciting new ones, which I’ll share shortly, so I’ve been waist deep in developing cocktails and online shops–both which are somehow my.. job.
In addition to that, in a super somber turn, the school for girls in Pakistan on which I work was bombed this week. We are so thankful that no one was hurt, but the water-filtration plant which provided clean drinking water to over 700 families in the village was totally destroyed, as were several walls and windows of the school building itself. We’re currently running an Indiegogo campaign–including one-for-one matching–to raise the money to pay the teachers for the entire school year. We’re simply adding a stretch goal to help rebuild the water-filtration plant, unwilling to bow down from our critical cause or do anything but stand up together and fight. If you’re interested in learning more or contributing (please! ), you can check out the campaign here. Now is the time–every dollar you give is matched 100%–and we need your support in rebuilding more than ever before.
So now let’s talk about cocktails? I know–that’s a graceful segue if you’ve ever heard one. But Christmas is a-coming, as well as that reliable holiday cap, New Year’s Eve, and you need an equally elegant and uh-oh delicious drink for that paw of yours. All night. Alllll the night.
Surprisingly, I’d never before tried St. Germain liqueur, thinking its “floral” aroma–the only adjective always used to describe the elderflower liqueur–would end up tasting vaguely medicinal, like so many of the various liqueurs I tried whilst in France (I’m looking at you, Pastis). But when I bought a bottle on a whim and mixed it up with some champagne, I basically drew the back of my hand to my forehead and fainted–spilling zero drops, of course. Because this stuff is a-maz-ing. It is floral, but delicately so–it almost has a fruity palette without being overly sweet. It’s subtle without being a pushover. It’s basically my new favorite thing, period. And I need you to try it.
To add a festive, seasonal touch and depth of flavor, I added tart cranberry to a dry prosecco with a dash of St. Germain liqueur. What resulted was something bubbly and bright, yet a bit subdued and gentle, fruity yet dry, tart yet smooth and sweet. In other words.. the perfect celebratory cocktail for the holiday season. I’ll be serving these at Christmas Eve and I hope I can find what I need in Mexico, where we’re heading a couple days after Christmas! Tough life, right?
Make these!
Cranberry-Elderflower Champagne Sparkler
Ingredients
- Cranberry syrup:
- 1/2 cup organic 100% cranberry juice
- 1/2 cup organic sugar
- Per cocktail:
- 1 ounce St. Germain elderflower liqueur
- 1 ounce cranberry syrup
- 4 ounces dry champagne , prosecco, or sparkling wine
- Sparkling cranberry skewers:
- About 5 fresh cranberries per glass
- Toothpick
- White granulated sugar
Instructions
- Make the cranberry syrup: in a small saucepan over low heat, whisk together cranberry juice and sugar until dissolved. Raise heat and bring to a boil, then remove from heat, pour into a glass jar or bowl and let cool completely.
- To make each cocktail, pour St. Germain and cranberry syrup into a stemmed champagne glass, then top off with about 4 ounces champagne. Serve immediately with sparkling cranberry skewers.
- To make sparkling cranberry skewers: skewer about 5 cranberries onto a standard toothpick, the spritz very lightly with water--too much and your sugar will get clumpy! Place about 1/2 cup white granulated sugar in a shallow dish--an individual tart dish is awesome--then add cranberry skewers, tossing with a fork until completely coated in sugar. Remove with a fork and use as garnish.
Recipe Notes
Cranberry syrup makes enough for about 8-10 cocktails.
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Hi Cheryl,
Is this recipe in fluid ounces? I’m from New Zealand and we don’t have ounces here so a bit confused but this looks amazing and I’m so excited to try it!
Hi Zandi! Yes, the ounces are fluid ounces. 1 fluid ounce equals about 30 milliliters 🙂
Would love to donate but can’t get the link the campaign. Point me in the right direction? I’ll whip up one of these cocktails while I wait. 🙂
How did I manage to not even link the campaign right?! The website is http://soniashahorganization.com and we are still raising money to repair the school. Luckily no one was hurt, of course, but man!
I’ve officially added St. Germain to my grocery list for this week. This would be so yummy on New Year’s! I love anything with a floral taste to it and you seriously can’t go wrong with champagne!
Uh yeah! You definitely need to get it, all things considered. You would love it!
Okay, Tuesday is kinda getting me down today, so you know what I need? THESE. Seriously, Cheryl these drinks are absolutely stunning! I love the sound of cranberries and elderflowers together—so so festive and perfect for a mid-week pick-me-up!
Yes, these are the perfect antidote to boring Tuesdays! Or any day for that matter… 🙂
what a beautiful drink!
Thank you Caralyn!
Saint Germain is one of my favorite liquors. How perfect with a tart cranberry juice! I’ll swap you my peppermint hot chocolate for a glass (or three) of these?
Done and done.
I LOVE St. Germain, and I agree that the “floral” description does not do it justice. What a fun cranberry twist for the holidays. Hope you enjoy time with your family and friends, and can’t wait to hear what projects you have coming up!
Right?! I think the only proper description is “magical”. Just saying! 🙂
cheryl, all of the links above re: the campaign just go back to this blog post??
What awful news coming out of Pakistan… it’s bad news for everyone, especially those directly involved.
Genius. Yes…. Cheryl! Photographs are stunning and I’m so excited about this cocktail! I’ve not had elderflower liquor in a while, so it’s time to revisit it! LOVE your cranberry simple! What in inspiration you are! Thank you my Dear!
Thanks Traci 🙂 I can’t believe I’d never had it before! It’s definitely my new favorite thing… oh man, I can’t wait for my two-week dry-fest to be over!
OK… first thing first, I want to contribute, but the links you gave did not take me to the donation page. Please let me know, and I will help ASAP.
Second, I can’t tell you how much I am craving this cocktail. If I could, I would go buy all the ingredients right now, and have a party by myself. This looks & sounds so wonderful, my kind of cocktail, no doubt. LOVEEEEEEEE IT.
Last, have fun in Mexico & I can’t wait to hear about your projects.
Merry Christmas my lovely friend 🙂
Ahh! I’m so sorry I didn’t see this 🙁 The website is soniashahorganization.com and everything we receive is going towards rebuilding the damage. We raised pretty good money but not what we needed for sure! I would also really appreciate one of these cocktails right about now, too.. but alas it’s only noon. Ha! 🙂
Wow! Stunning photo’s and great time of the year to try to make these. I am thirsty just thinking about these! 😉
Cheryl,
oh my goodness. . so glad that no one was hurt. I hate hearing about things like this happening. please please provide the campaign link, it’s not linked above. and wow, these cocktails are gorgeous and stunning. . glad you shared this post!
HOW did I not even provide the right campaign link?! These days man… but here is the website. We are still raising money to rebuild the school. At least it happened earlier when the school was empty right?! soniashahorganization.com 🙂