504 Main by Holly Lefevre: Sparkling Apple Cardamon Cocktail
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Wednesday, November 6, 2013

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).

sparkling apple cardamon cocktail by 504 main


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!

 

sparkling apple cardamon cocktail by 504 main

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

Sparkling Apple Cardamon Cocktail
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!
sparkling apple cardamon cocktail by 504 main


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.

sparkling apple cardamon cocktail by 504 main

  • 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).

sparkling apple cardamon cocktail by 504 main

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?

sparkling apple cardamon cocktail by 504 main

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

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

2 comments:

  1. Holly, I often mix my fruit juices with ginger ale, but never knew you could mix cardamon as you have done here. This looks really good!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love Cardamon & this sounds super yummy! Can't wait to try it for a gathering. Theresa @DearCreatives

    ReplyDelete

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