“Cherry Apple Ginger Spritzer”

Thirsty Thursday is fast approaching and who says you can’t start thinking about what cocktails to serve when creating a menu for celebrating the holidays with friends and family. I created a cocktail this past Thanksgiving that was so simple to make and a bit hit at the home of my friends Mark and Angie. A fabulous celebration was had by all with my Cherry Apple Ginger Spritzer. Thank you so much Mark and Angie for a fantastic day shared with the people we love.

Cherry Apple Ginger Spritzer

This cocktail is perfect for the holiday season because of the beautiful red color when mixed with Prosecco, Champagne or if you need non-alcoholic cocktails use club soda. Garnish these bright red cocktails with Maraschino cherries for an added touch of color. Cherry Apple Ginger Spritzers will definitely put everyone in the holiday spirit.

My Cherry Apple Ginger Spritzer is syrup based yet can be made and stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks prior to serving. So if your party is Saturday, make the syrup on Wednesday, no sweat. Create the syrup by combining thawed frozen dark sweet cherries, raw cane sugar, apple juice, fresh sliced ginger, and water. You’ll cook the syrup for 10 minutes then strain, cool and refrigerate. It’s that simple. Who knew? When you’re ready to serve, pour about 3 T. syrup in your champagne glasses and top with the bubbly of your choice. There you have one magnificent cocktail.

Cherry Apple Ginger Spritzer

So you ask what does this colorful cocktail taste like? Well at first sip you taste the cherry flavor then comes the apple, and on the back of your tongue the subtle taste of ginger appears. You can literally taste every layer of this cocktail. Ginger can be quite pungent and add a bit of heat to whatever you use it in if not careful. That is not the case with my Cherry Apple Ginger Spritzer. Refreshing taste and a little fizz to tickle your nose. If you make non-alcoholic cocktails, kids can play like grown-ups.

Cherry Apple Ginger Spritzer

I think you’ll love Cherry Apple Ginger Spritzer. A word of warning though. Ensure you make enough syrup for your guests as this is not a cocktail you want to run out of. I actually tripled the syrup recipe, serving about 15 people. One batch of syrup will use one bottle of Prosecco. Just promise me you won’t let the well run dry. So start your holiday season off right by serving my Cherry Apple Ginger Spritzer. Sure to be a hit at your party and a cocktail you’ll make over and over again. Cheers and Happy Holidays!

Cherry Apple Ginger Spritzer

1 bottle Cupcake or LaMarca Prosecco, chilled

2 cups frozen dark sweet cherries, thawed

1/2 cup raw cane sugar

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup apple juice

1/8 cup fresh ginger, peeled and sliced

Maraschino cherries, for garnish

To prepare syrup: In a 2-quart saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, water, apple juice, and ginger. Bring to boil and reduce to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and mash cherry mixture with a potato masher.

Pour and strain cherry apple ginger syrup through a fine mesh strainer, pressing until all juice is rendered. Discard pulp then pour syrup into an airtight container. Cherry Apple Ginger Syrup can be refrigerated up to two weeks.

Make Cherry Apple Ginger Spritzers by filling champagne glasses about 1/3 full of syrup and fill glasses with Prosecco. Garnish with Maraschino cherries.

Note: Make non-alcoholic spritzers by substituting club soda for Prosecco.

Makes approximately 2 cups syrup. Recipe can easily be double or tripled depending on how many cocktails needed. Purchase one bottle of Prosecco per each batch of syrup made.