This favorite fall sparking wine cocktail is the one Maralyn and I may choose for the Thanksgiving dinner we will be cooking on TV! Please do not laugh. At least not until you watch us.
Created by Wine Director, Theresa Paopao (pronounced “pow-pow”) and James Beard award winning Chef, Ana Sortun, this sparkler is sweet and fragrant.
Ana was named Best Chef: Northeast, in 2005, for her restaurant Oleana in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I will be sipping the paopao when in Cambridge again this fall.
Makes 6 cocktails…
8 cardamon pods
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup of pear juice or pear puree(try to find an all-natural juice)
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1/4 a lemon)
1 bottle sparkling wine such as Cava or Proscecco
Note: Proscecco is from Northern Italy and has a straightforward taste and very generous bubbles.
Smash to cardamon pods using a rolling pin or substitute, making sure most of the black seeds are crushed.
In a small sauce pan (can be the rolling pin device) over medium to high heat, bring water to a boil with the pods and seeds. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 8 minutes, until syrup clings to a spoon.
Add the pear juice and bring back to a boil, remove syrup and cover. let stand for 30minutes to infuse the flavors
Using a fine sieve, strain the juice and syrup through the sieve, pushing it through with the back of a spoon into a small bowl.
Stir in lemon juice. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, until very cold.
Fill champagne glasses with 4 tablespoons of the pear syrup each. Top off with Prosecco and serve. Pow!
Brenda C. Hill
Books By Hills
$uccess Blog
Where & What in the World Blog
Author: Brenda Hill
As a longtime food writer for Where Magazine New York City, Brenda Hill, along with her writing partner, Maralyn Hill (no relation), writes and publishes books about chefs, food and international travel. They co-authored "Our Love Affairs with Food & Travel" and joined French Master Chef Herve Laurent in writing "Cooking Secrets: The Why and How" Brenda has been active in the California Writer's Club, IFWTWA, and the Santa Barbara's Writers Conference. Brenda Hill and her partner Maralyn Hill conduct marketing and writing seminars. Maralyn and I will be heading back to Rancho La Puerta in July to give our presentation on writing and marketing your book, as well as bringing back some freshly picked off the farm nutritious and tasty recipes.
