Well that’s a wrap on Christmas 2016, but there’s still more celebrating to do! New Year’s Eve is days away and sparkling wines will play a starring role in this week’s holiday cocktails. We have so much to be thankful for and many reasons to celebrate. This year we’ll be toasting with champagne cocktails infused with fresh herbs and fruit from Heinen’s produce department. Grapefruit and sage or blackberry and thyme are a great place to start.
Grapefruit & Sage Champagne Cocktail
For the simple syrup:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- two bunches of fresh sage leaves
For the cocktails:
- 2 parts pink grapefruit juice
- 1 part sage simple syrup
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- top with 2 parts champagne or sparkling wine
- fresh sage leaves.
Method:
Simmer water, sugar and sage until sugar is dissolved. Let cool. In a shaker mix ice, grapefruit juice, simple syrup and bitters. Shake then pour into champagne glass. Top with champagne.
Blackberry & Thyme Champagne Cocktail
Ingredients:
For the Blackberry Syrup:
- 1/3 cup blackberries, plus 8 more for garnish
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup sugar
For the Cocktail:
- 1 bottle of Prosecco or champagne
For the Garnish:
- 4 sprigs of thyme
Method:
- In a small saucepan, bring the blackberried, water and sugar to a boil. Turn to low and let simmer for 10 minutes. Strain blackberries and let syrup cool.
- Add 2 tbsp. of syrup to the bottom of each glass. Top with champagne and add in a sprig of thyme and 2 blackberries!
Photographer Sally Roeckell specializes in contemporary lifestyle portraiture with an emphasis on food photography. She regularly shops at Heinen’s for the family dishes she features via Table and Dish on Instagram and on her website at TableAndDish.com.
Have you heard about Heinen’s Tasteful Rewards™ program? Sign up for free to receive exclusive weekly specials via email and earn Heinen’s rewards. As a Tasteful Rewards™ membership benefit, Heinen’s will donate up to 1% of your qualified purchases made between September and April to a local school of your choice through their Teaming Up for Education Program. CLICK HERE to sign up for Heinen’s Tasteful Rewards™ and, trust me, this is one email that will always please your palate!
Heinen’s Grocery is located at 500 N. Hough Street, between E. Main Street and Route 14 (next to Meatheads) in Barrington, Illinois. They’re open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit Heinens.com.
