Recipe Background
The New Year's Spritz combines plum wine and prosecco for a festive first in-law gathering.
It was my first New Year's Eve with my in-laws, and I was determined to impress with a drink that was both festive and unique. Armed with a bottle of Japanese plum wine that I had stashed away for a special occasion, I decided to create something that would stun and sparkle like the night itself. The kitchen buzzed with family laughter while I added a splash of maraschino cherry syrup and a dash of bitters to balance the sweetness. Ice clanged in the shaker, mimicking the distant New Year’s fireworks as I perfected my cocktail technique.
Straining the mixture into coupe glasses brought a moment of calm. Prosecco was the final touch, its effervescence rising in tiny bubbles, hinting at celebrations long past and yet to come. The garnish—a sugared plum slice—was a nod to the wine's roots and added just the right amount of intrigue. I learned that dipping plum slices in simple syrup before rolling them in sugar makes them sparkle like jewels. My in-laws were charmed, and the New Year's Spritz became an instant family tradition.
That evening was a turning point in feeling truly part of the family. Drinks were raised, stories exchanged, and with every sip, I felt the warmth and connection grow. Keeping a steady hand while shaking cocktails amidst the chaos of family chatter was a skill I silently celebrated, along with the distinct infusion of flavors that brought everyone together.
Ingredients
For the cocktail:
- 4 ounces Japanese plum wine
- 2 ounces jarred maraschino cherry syrup
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- Peychaud's bitters to taste
- ice to taste
- 8 ounces dry prosecco
For the sugared plum garnish:
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- simple syrup to taste, store-bought or homemade
- 2 plum slices
Directions
- In a cocktail shaker, add the plum wine, the cherry syrup, the lemon juice, 2 dashes of the bitters, and the ice and cover the shaker.
- Vigorously shake the cocktail shaker until the outside of the shaker is very frosty, about 20 seconds.
- Strain the cocktail mixture into two coupe glasses.
- Top the cocktail mixture in each glass with an even amount of the prosecco.
- Onto a shallow plate, add the sugar.
- Onto another shallow plate, add a small amount of the simple syrup.
- Dip the skin of each of the plum slices into the simple syrup and then immediately roll the plum skins in the granulated sugar to coat.
- Garnish the cocktails with the sugared plum slices and serve.
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