Friday, December 30, 2011

Ginger Infused Champagne

I am a ginger nut. If I see a cocktail with ginger I will knock over you, your children, and even your freshly fried up bacon, just for a sip. 

I came across this recipe on the Food Network and thought it was such a nice idea for this time of year.

Cool, crisp, refreshing, and just a little bit sweet, this will knock your socks off.  Forget kissing at midnight, people will be getting downright married up in here.

The ingredients are quite simple.

Champagne 
Sugar
Water
Vodka (boom)
Fresh Ginger 
Candied Ginger (not so optional garnish)

So you want to peel your ginger and then give it a rough chop.

Throw your water, sugar, and ginger in a pan and let it simmer over low to medium heat until sugar completely dissolves.  About 7-10 minutes or so. Make sure to stir it every couple of minutes.   Then, remove from the heat and add your vodka and stir. Let the simple syrup cool completely in the fridge for 2 hours.  If you want, you can strain it.

You can chop the candied ginger, but why bother?  I think the long thin strips looked beautiful in the champagne flutes.

Lightly wet the rim of the glass with water or with a lemon wedge (I used water because I don't like to follow directions) and roll in some sugar.  Place 2-3 tablespoons of the ginger simple syrup in the bottom of your glass and then add a slice of candied ginger.  Top it all off with some dry champagne.  Go slow!  The champagne really bubbles once it hits the ginger.

You can either pat on the sugar like this...

...or roll it in the sugar like this.  I prefer option #1, but #2 looks pretty too.  Yum!  Isn't this a beautiful drink?  Stay hungry (thirsty)!

Ginger Infused Champagne Recipe 
1 Bottle Chilled Dry Champagne 
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Water
1/2 Cup Vodka
1/2 Fresh Ginger, chopped 
Candied Ginger 

Simmer water, sugar, and ginger in a sauce pan for 7-10 minutes, stirring often.  Once sugar has melted, remove syrup from heat and add vodka.  Let the syrup cool for 2 hours in the fridge.  Strain syrup, if desired.  Add 2-3 tablespoons of ginger syrup, a slice of candied ginger, and top with dry champagne.  Enjoy!

2 comments:

  1. This does sound good. I am a big fan of ginger as well. I will have to give this a try.

    ReplyDelete
  2. WHat a festive new years drink. I love ginger syrup.

    ReplyDelete

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