Summer Solstice Sake Sparkler Recipes

CUCUMBER-ELDERFLOWER SPARKLERS

Steps:

• Grate the cucumbers on the large holes of a box grater into a medium bowl. Wrap the grated cucumber in a piece of cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel and squeeze the cucumber juice into a pitcher; discard the grated cucumber. Stir the lime zest and juice, elderflower liqueur and 5 or 6 dashes orange bitters into the cucumber juice. Refrigerate until ready to serve, at least 30 minutes.
• Drop a sugar cube into each flute and add a few dashes of orange bitters to each. Pour the champagne into the pitcher and stir. Pour into the flutes.

SUMMER SOLSTICE SAKE SPARKLER

Steps:

• Put the basil, mint, lemon, orange, cucumber, and orange liqueur in a cocktail shaker. Add the ice, cover, and shake vigorously, or stir, until combined and chilled, about 30 seconds. (In general, the drink is ready when the shaker mists up.) Pour into a chilled Collins glass and top with the sparkling sake. Drink.

PORT SPARKLER

Steps:

• Muddle 5 blueberries with 3/4 ounce ruby port in a small bowl; strain into a flute. Slowly top with 4 ounces cold prosecco or other dry sparkling wine. Garnish with a few whole blueberries.

PROSECCO-PEAR SPARKLER

Steps:

• Combine the pear nectar, vodka and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well until cold, then strain into a champagne flute or coupe.
• Top the drink with the prosecco. Garnish with a pear slice and lemon zest.