Name: Bubbles and Blooms
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons blueberries , blackberries, or raspberries plus extra for garnishing; ½ teaspoon recipe; 1 ounce vodka; 1 ounce elderflower liqueur; ¼ ounce lemon juice; 2 ounces dry sparkling wine , chilled

Why This Recipe Works

Muddling is a quick and effective way to impart the fresh flavors, aromas, and colors of fruits to a cocktail. Berries in particular can add striking color, as they do here. We chose vodka for our base spirit so that its neutral flavor would enhance rather than compete with the floral and fruity additions. To build upon our elegantly pink cocktail, we incorporated elderflower liqueur, a sophisticated, delicate concoction made from the white flowers of the elderberry bush; it has honeyed, citrusy flavor notes of lychee and pear. Adding a small amount of Simple Syrup and a touch of lemon juice ensured balanced brightness. To send this cocktail over the top, after shaking and straining it into a cocktail glass, we topped our drink with a pour of fizzy sparkling wine, adding festive effervescence.

Instructions

Add 2 tablespoons berries and ½ teaspoon simple syrup to base of cocktail shaker and muddle until berries are broken down and all juice has been expressed, about 30 seconds. Add 1 ounce vodka, 1 ounce elderflower liqueur, and ¼ ounce lemon juice, then fill shaker with ice. Shake mixture until fully combined and well chilled, about 15 seconds. Double-strain vodka mixture into chilled flute glass. Slowly add 2 ounces sparkling wine and, using bar spoon, gently lift vodka mixture from bottom of glass to top to combine. Garnish with berries and serve.