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Three Prosecco Cocktails for Every Occasion

  • August 13, 2020
  • By Luanna
  • 2 Comments

I only drink champagne on two occasions: when I’m in love, and when I’m not.

Coco Chanel

Do you remember the days when popping a bottle of Champagne or Prosecco meant you were at a wedding or a New Year’s Eve party, or a Sunday brunch? It seems that those were the only requisite times for a glass of bubbly, and we didn’t venture beyond those special occasions.

Times have changed, and rules were made to be broken. I’ve got to agree with Chanel, when is it not appropriate to have a glass of chilled bubbly?! There’s hardly a drink that can make that happy and celebratory. And nowadays we all need that kind of sunshine in our lives.

Three Prosecco Cocktails Perfect for Any Occasion
Prosecco Grapes, near Veneto, Italy

So, what’s the difference between Prosecco, Champagne, and Sparkling Wine?

Generally speaking, the region in which the bubbly is made is what defines the kind of alcohol it is.

  • Champagne is largely produced with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier groups grown in the Champagne region of Northeast France.
  • Prosecco is produced in the Veneto or Fruili Venezia Giulia regions of Italia and is made from glera grapes.
  • Sparkling Wine is essentially a term for any other wine containing bubbles, especially those produced in the United States. Every champagne is sparkling wine, but not every sparkling wine is champagne.
Three Prosecco Cocktails Perfect for Any Occasion
Fermenting Tanks containing Prosecco Wine, Italy.

Method of Production also defines the type of wine.

  • Champagne & Sparkling Wine: For both varieties, the original still wine goes through a second fermentation process, creating the CO2 that produces the sparkling sensation. For Champagne, the Method Champenoise or “traditional method” is used, and fermentation is done in individual bottles vs. barrels or tanks. The aging process for Champagne is longer than other sparkling wines, enabling you to drink and enjoy a vintage bottle years after production.
  • For Prosecco, the “tank method” is used for the second fermentation in stainless steel tanks, rather than individual bottles. As a result, Prosecco has less contact with the yeast during fermentation, and so it is meant to be drank young, or soon after bottling. This production method is a lot easier on your wallet, too!
Three Prosecco Cocktails Perfect for Any Occasion

Food Pairings with Champagne & Prosecco

  • Champagne pairs amazingly well with your raw bar, i.e., oysters, shrimp crab cakes, etc. And you’ll enjoy a glass of it with zingier bites like potato chips, seared scallops and some Asian foods.
  • Prosecco aligns better with charcuterie and savory meats and desserts, like a rich, creamy cheesecake. (And my blood orange sorbet has a few dabbles of Prosecco in the recipe to add to the vibrancy of the taste.)
Three Prosecco Cocktails for Any Occasion

Now that we are armed with some tactical knowledge, it’s time to “Pop. Fizz. Clink.” with some Prosecco in honor of National Prosecco Day on August 13. Let’s pop some bottles, get bubbly and feel some sparkling love!



Three Prosecco Cocktails Perfect for Any Occasion

Limoncello Raspberry Prosecco

Perfect for summer. Perfect for any occasion. It's a bit sweet, and a whole lot refreshing!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Drinks
Servings 2 persons

Equipment

  • Champagne Flute or white wine glass

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cups Prosecco well chilled
  • 3/4 cup Limoncello well chilled
  • Raspberries frozen
  • Fresh Mint

Instructions
 

  • In a small pitcher, combine the Prosecco & Limoncello together. Serve over frozen raspberries and garnish with mint sprigs.

Elderflower Strawberry Prosecco Cocktail

Perfect for the dog days of summer. Colorful, effervescent and pure happy in a glass!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Drinks
Servings 1 serving

Equipment

  • Champagne or coupe glass

Ingredients
  

  • 3 parts Prosecco well chilled
  • 1 part Elderflower Liqueur
  • 1 part Club Soda well chilled
  • Frozen sliced strawberries
  • Mint Sprig for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Combine Prosecco and Elderflower liqueur in coupe glass. Gently stir quickly. Add a spash of club soda. Garnish with frozen strawberry slices and mint sprig.

Three Prosecco Cocktails Perfect for Any Occasion

Watermelon Prosecco Cocktail

This screams and shouts summer cool! And you'll look cool just having one in your hand because you can juice the watermelon ahead of time. It all comes together in 5 minutes — and your guests will be juicing for more!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Drinks
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup mint leaves
  • 4 teaspoons agave nectar or simple syrup
  • 4 cups cubed watermelon well chilled
  • Prosecco well chilled

Instructions
 

  • Muddle mint and simple syrup together. Add to a blender.
  • In blender with the mint and simple syrup, add cubed watermelon. Blend together.
  • Keep in freezer or refrigerator until well chilled, but not frozen.
  • Fill glass 1/2 with watermelon mixture. Top with Prosecco. Garnish with watermelon wedge.

Notes

You can easily turn this into a slushy, and make with or without alcohol. 
If you don’t enjoy Prosecco or sparkling wine, try it with vodka or tequila!
By Luanna, August 13, 2020
  • 2
2 Comments

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About Me
Hi! I'm Luanna
I love to Eat, Drink, Work and Play. Welcome to my world!
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