ROYAL BLUSH

Royal Blush image

Provided by Eben Freeman

Yield Makes 1 serving

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 teaspoon cherry purée (note: recipe below makes 3/4 cup)
3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) vodka
1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) simple syrup
5 fresh mint leaves
1 cup ice cubes
1/4 cup (2 ounces) dry sparkling wine, such as brut Champagne, chilled

Steps:

To Make Cherry Purée:
In a bowl, purée frozen cherries or all-fruit spread with water. In general: 1 cup of frozen cherries (6 ounces) puréed with 2 tablespoons of water makes approximately 3/4 cup purée. To make purée using all-fruit spread, combine 3/4 cup spread with 3/4 cup water. Any extra can be used to make smoothies or sauce for ice cream.
To Make Cocktail:
Transfer purée to chilled martini glass. In chilled cocktail shaker, combine vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup. Tear mint leaves in half and add to shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Slowly strain into martini glass without disturbing purée, then top with sparkling wine and serve.