Sparkling Red Currant Cosmopolitan

I am obsessed with fresh currants and probably mores so because of how hard they are to find. In New York I typically find them in the winter at specialty gourmet stores but sometimes larger farmer's markets will have them. One thing is sure and that's that, if I see them, I'm buying them.

The flavor is both sweet and tart which makes them great for chocolate pairings, cocktails and jams. In fact, I can usually find dried currants and red currant jam year round but it's the fresh berries I love the most.

Instead of the typical cranberry juice that goes into Cosmopolitan cocktails, I made a fresh red currant syrup to use instead. The flavor is more intense and with a stronger sweet and sour punch than cranberry juice. It's great as is with the traditional vodka, lime juice and orange liqueur. But the stronger flavor of the currants also left room for some bubbles. You can use either champagne or sparkling wine to add the bubbly and then toast to your sweetie for Valentine's Day or just to the weekend. Cheers!

Yield: 2 Servings

Author: Anita Schecter

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Sparkling Red Currant Cosmopolitan

Prep time: 10 MCook time: 5 MTotal time: 15 M

Recipe for a vodka cocktail flavored with red currant syrup, lime and orange liqueur.

Ingredients:

For the Red Currant Syrup:

• 1 Cup red currants
• 1/2 Cup sugar
• 1/2 Cup water
• Pinch of salt

For the Cocktail:

• 4 oz. Vodka
• 2 oz. Red Currant syrup (recipe follows)
• 1 oz. Lime juice
• 1 oz. Triple sec
• 4 oz. Sparkling wine or champagne

Instructions:

1. To make the syrup, add the currants, sugar, water and salt to a pot and bring to a simmer. Stir to dissolve the sugar and continue cooking for a few minutes until the currants break up.
2. Strain through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Store any leftovers in a lidded jar or bottle in the refrigerator.
3. To make the cocktail, add the vodka, syrup, lime juice and triple sec to a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake well. Pour into two chilled cocktail glasses and top with the sparkling wine or champagne. Garnish with fresh currants if desired.

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