Summertime Prosecco Cocktail Ideas
With the warmer climate almost here, many gather outdoors to enjoy the beautiful weather. Nothing is better than breathing the fresh air and enjoying a cocktail and delicious dessert on your veranda with loved ones.
I have been doing events for years, and there is one thing that I have learned from them. Presentation is EVERYTHING…every little detail matters. Of course, the food and company must be amazing as well!
How a beverage or food item is served is so important. Going that extra mile to design a beautiful presentation will create lasting memories and leave your guests asking for more. This is a popular design for backyard events, and it is always a hit.
““It’s all in the details.””
I have designed this prosecco cocktail for adults and added a mocktail recipe for those who prefer to drink an alcohol-free beverage.
First, a little about Prosecco
Prosecco tends to have notes of fruit and flower due to the Glera grape they are made from. Prosecco is lighter than Champagne due to manufacturing methods, and it is softer with sparkling bubbles that do not last as long. Prosecco has aromas of tropical fruits, banana cream, hazelnut, vanilla, and honeycomb. Unlike Champagne, it has a sweeter taste which pairs very nicely with cured meats and cut-up fruit or fruit appetizers. Sweeter Proseccos are wonderfully paired with desserts such as light sponge cakes and gateaux, macarons, and parfaits, to name just a few.
I always keep a bottle of prosecco in reserve just in case I have visitors, or I want to enjoy a little cocktail myself.
This little vignette is straightforward but goes a long way with a presentation. Just pour your prosecco or lovely rosé wine into a beautiful clear glass to half full and add your popsicle resting on the side of the glass. That’s it!
“Now, what about a mocktail?”
You can also use flavored sparkling water. I like to make a mocktail using La Croix Hibiscus sparkling water in this drink. For those who do not want to have alcohol or are watching calories, and still want to enjoy an adult beverage, this is for you. It truly is spectacular and elegant. I love to serve these on a warm summer evening on my patio.
For a mocktail, I am sharing my recipe for a shirley temple. I know many adults who love these drinks, and children do too! I created this mocktail below for those who prefer not to use a wine glass and instead want to present a more casual backyard presentation.
Shirley Temple with Popsicle
Children’s Shirley Temple with a popsicle
Items you need in THE Recipe
Ginger ale or any other type of clear beverage like Sprite.
Grenadine (this is a bright red non-alcoholic, sweet syrup that makes fabulous red cocktails and mocktails.)
Maraschino Cherries
Popsicles (will take the place of ice in this drink)
Here is how to assemble your cocktail.
1 ounce (2 tbsp) grenadine.
Top with 8 ounces of lemon-lime soda or ginger ale.
Garnish with maraschino cherries if desired.
Add a popsicle and rest it on the edge of the glass.
Enjoy!
This drink is made without alcohol, but you have a Dirty Shirley Temple for adults who want to add spirits, vodka, and lime juice and substitute the Ginger ale with ginger beer. Cheers!
““Cocktails are society’s most enduring invention!”
I always garnish it with flowers. If the flower is anywhere near or touches food or a drink, I use edible flowers that have not been sprayed with any insecticide.
Note: Always check the type of flower you will use for garnishing to see if they are edible. If they are not, please do not use them in your drink or any other type of food preparation.
Now for dessert!
What better way to accompany a delicious cocktail or mocktail than a light dessert? I made a Strawberry Shortcake with Amaretto Cream from Southern Lady Magazine. I highly recommend it. The Amaretto Cream is delicious, but you can use homemade whipped cream sweetened with sugar if you don’t want alcohol in your dessert. I did omit the strawberries from the shortcake for this version, and I had to compensate for the strawberries in this recipe and added 1/4 cup of strawberry syrup to give it the flavor.
Click here to take you to Strawberry Shortcake with Amaretto Cream by Southern Lady Magazine.
As with everything I post on my blogs, if you have any comments or questions, please leave them here or email me through my contact page. I would love to hear from you and welcome you anytime.
Design with your heart™️
“may your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows.”
Happy entertaining my friends!
Mary
