Sparkling Lemon-Suze Pitcher Cocktail Recipe

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Updated August 29, 2018

20150908-SavoryLemonSparkler-cocktails-Elana-Lepkowski.jpg — Photo: Elana Lepkowski

Make the most of affordable sparkling wine by adding tart lemon, woodsy sage, and Suze, a bitter French aperitif. This prep-ahead cocktail is a little tart, a little sweet, a little bitter, and full of herbal flavors. There's no high-proof spirit in the mix, so it whets the appetite without getting anyone blitzed.

For Easier Entertaining, A Make-Ahead Aperitif

Recipe Details

Sparkling Lemon-Suze Pitcher Cocktail Recipe

Active 15 mins

Total 60 mins

Makes 6 drinks

Ingredients

For the Lemon-Sage Syrup:
6 ounces water
8 ounces (about 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon) sugar
2 ounces fresh juice from 2 lemons
Finely grated zest from 2 lemons
10 medium sage leaves
For the cocktails:
6 ounces Lemon-Sage Syrup
1 1/2 ounces Suze
1 bottle chilled Cava or other dry sparkling wine
6 strips lemon zest
6 fresh sage leaves

Directions

For the Lemon-Sage Syrup: Combine water, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and sage in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to boil, remove from heat, and let stand 1 hour. Strain and refrigerate in an airtight container up to 1 week.
For the cocktails: The night before serving, combine the lemon-sage syrup and Suze in a large pitcher. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. When ready to serve, add Cava, pouring slowly, and gently stir to combine. Split between six Champagne flutes, twisting a lemon zest strip over each and garnishing with a sage leaf.