CHAMPAGNE GINGER COCKTAIL

Champagne Ginger Cocktail image

Provided by Ted Allen

Time 2h20m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup sliced ginger (about 2 ounces)
1/2 cup vodka
2 tablespoons sugar
1 lemon, sliced into wedges
3 tablespoons candied ginger, cubed for garnish
1 bottle chilled sparkling wine

Steps:

Simmer water, 1/2 cup sugar and sliced ginger in a small saucepan for 10 minutes. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in vodka. Chill for 2 hours or overnight. When ready to serve, strain to remove the ginger pieces.
Spread the sugar into a thin layer on a plate. Coat the rim of the glass with the juice from the lemon wedge and immediately dredge in the plate of sugar.
Add a few pieces of candied ginger to each glass. Pour 1 tablespoon of the ginger-infused simple syrup over the ginger pieces and top with the sparkling wine until the glass is 2/3 full.