Buzz
Image credit: Jen CauseyA five-minute drink that's bursting with layers of flavor and finished off with a splash of champagne? Yes, please! Adapted from Chez Zou, a cocktail lounge in New York City, frozen grapes are used to chill the highball glass, keeping the cocktail cold while offering a delightful bite as you sip.
A combination of white grape juice, Lillet Blanc, an apple brandy like Calvados, tonic, and Champagne creates a complex and flavorful profile. If you prefer another sparkling option instead of Champagne, try dry Italian Prosecco, Spanish Cava, French crémant, German Sekt, or American sparkling wine.
For the sweetest flavor, cotton candy grapes are recommended in this cocktail. They can typically be found at most supermarkets, but if they're unavailable, green seedless grapes will do the job just as well. Alternatively, adding red grapes can give the drink a festive twist.
Ingredients List
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Frozen grapes (preferably Cotton Candy variety)
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2 oz. (1/4 cup) white grape juice
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1 oz. (2 Tbsp.) Lillet Blanc
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3/4 oz. (1 1/2 Tbsp.) apple brandy (such as Calvados)
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1 1/2 oz. (3 Tbsp.) tonic water
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1 oz. (2 Tbsp.) Champagne
Instructions
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Half-fill a highball glass with frozen grapes. Pour in the rest of the ingredients in the order listed. Stir gently to mix everything together.
