Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Blackberries & Rosemary



with a little 
champagne or prosecco


you know how every now & then things go haywire in the kitchen,
what you were making turns out to be something completely different,
but good?

this is one of those stories.

we've found a new way to use fresh blackberries & rosemary
in a drink suited for both happy hour & the next morning's brunch.

This cocktail is a simple combination of homemade syrup and Prosecco or Champagne (your choosing). To make the syrup, simply combine 2 cups blackberries, 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh chopped rosemary, 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar, and 2/3 cup water in a small saucepan.

Simmer roughly 20 minutes (uncovered), stirring occasionally until blackberry mixture thickens and reduces.

Pour blackberry mixture into fine sieve over a glass jar or bowl, no need to press down on solids. 
After about 5 minutes, transfer syrup to fridge and let chill thoroughly.


Once chilled, the syrup can be used as a base for your cocktail (or drizzled over ice cream).
 Simply spoon it into your flutes, pour in the Prosecco and garnish with reserved whole blackberries 
and sprigs of rosemary. 
The flavors here truly are an incredible combination.


the most involved step includes creating the simple syrup, 
which as you can see isn't hard at all, but gives you those fancy points. 
Because the base of this drink recipe is the syrup,
 I'd think it would be pretty easy to swap in other fruit & herb combinations 
to come up with new flavors - 
then just add Prosecco and garnish.


& the most important thing of all....it's SO pretty !

A bottle of Zefira Prosecco which was taste tested at the Wine Bar on Lark St. on Wednesday Dec. 12, 2012 in Albany, N.Y.  (Lori Van Buren / Times Union) Photo: Lori Van Buren
Prosecco is Italian Champagne
this particular Zefiro has won many awards
& I recommend it, excellent just for drinking and also from mixing
in an aperitif as above.


& below  my champagne of choice
SOFIA
from Frances Ford Coppola's Vineyards 

this typical Italian-looking gift wrapped bottle
contains the best tasting champagne (at a very low-cost, under $20 bottle),
we use it all the time,, but usually just for sipping,
not mixing in with anything else...

however, recently we had houseguests who were departing,
I found some freshly-squeezed orange juice and proceeded to make
the most perfect Mimosa's one has ever consumed,
we all kept pouring way more than we should, 
but the Vitamin C was needed.

Blanc de Blancs




have a happy day, my friends...
Photobucket
* with a little help from my son, the photographer.

13 comments:

  1. Marsha!
    I appreciate your suggestions! I have not tried either brand. I usually choose our Prosecco and Champagne at Trader Joes.

    Your featured recipes have been divine as of late!
    ~Lynne
    withLove!

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  2. Lovely way to celebrate spring! Thank you for the great and yummy inspiration!

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  3. I am so making this Marsha it looks and sounds wonderful. Blackberries, my favorite!

    XXX
    Debra~

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  4. Your son's images are as divine as the recipe!!! Must you do EVERYTHING with such class and style! Marsha, meeting you is on my bucket list!!!! xo

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  5. Marsha, Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and leaving such a kind note. I greatly appreciate it. Michelle

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  6. Marsha this looks like the perfect summer drink! I think I will try this on Friday! I hope you are having a wonderful day!

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  7. Marsha, the photos are indeed wonderful... and so is your recipe...! I cannot wait to try it.

    I wonder if stevia can be substituted for the sugar... I may have to experiment...

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  8. Oh, Marsha, it looks delicious!
    This recipe will be tested next weekend.
    Thanks for sharing the recipe and all these beautiful images.
    Have a nice week.
    Tereza

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  9. Now that's my kind of cocktail Marsha. I am bookmarking your recipe for later in the year when I can pick fresh blackberries. In the meantime I'll take one of those Mimosas you make so well please:)

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  10. Such a pretty drink as well as delicious! My daughter in law would be in heaven as Prosecco is one of her most favorites! We will definitely try this out!

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  11. How lovely...Thank you for the step by step!
    I will be trying this soon... Maybe for celebrating my son's 8th grade graduation, a special treat for the mommies!!!
    Happy Summer!
    xo
    Gail
    http://www.casualloveselegance.blogspot.com

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  12. I could so use one of these right now!

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  13. Woooow.........Marsha,this is absolutely great,great and wonderful recipe for the cocktail!!!

    And it looks so amazing and I think also very tasty:)*
    I'am glad I road this post of you,
    Thank you for share it here!

    Hugs,
    ***Violetta***

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Please know how much I value your comments. I read every single one and do hope you will take the time to leave your thoughts. I think InstaGram with the Emojis have taken a lot away from blogging, but I love IG too.