A New Year’s Eve Alternative to the Basic Bubbly: The Black Pearl
Now, I’m okay with straight Champagne and sparkling wine (at least, I don’t know that I’ve ever turned any down), but why not set your New Year’s Eve party above the norm by serving something that’s still bubbly, but a little different from the run-of-the-mill glasses thrown out at most end-of-the-year affairs? I mean, isn’t the idea to have a party that people remember, one that stands out in your guest’s minds long after January 1? I think that serving up the exquisite Black Pearl, which uses Champagne or sparkling wine, but ups the elegance meter with cognac or brandy and Tia Maria (a coffee flavored liqueur created from a cane-based spirit, Jamaican coffee, vanilla, and sugar), allows any December 31 soirée to step away from the crowd of parties and be noticed. As a bonus, it’s really easy to make, and lovely to look at (as the copyrighted photo here by amazing food-and-drink-and-fashion photographer Melissa Punch shows).
Ingredients:
Ice cubes
1 ounce cognac or brandy
1 ounce Tia Maria
Chilled Champagne or sparkling wine
Cherry for garnish
Directions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker half way with ice cubes. Add the cognac and Tia Maria. Shake well.
2. Strain the mix into a flute or wine glass. Top with the bubbly. Garnish with a cherry.
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