New Year’s Eve Grapefruit Prosecco Cocktail
Your cocktail of choice at New Year’s should be emblematic of either the year you’re saying farewell to or the one you’re careening toward. This grapefruit Prosecco cocktail pairs dry, effervescent Prosecco with stunningly sweet — yet still a little bitter — grapefruit syrup and Lillet rosé. It gets bejeweled with a segment of ruby grapefruit. It’s the kind of classy drink that turns heads and effortlessly projects mystery and yearning in every sip.
Directions
For the simple syrup
Pour the grapefruit juice, water, and sugar into a small saucepan. Toss in the peels and thyme. Turn the heat to medium-high and bring the liquid to a low boil. Let it bubble for a few minutes to dissolve the sugar. Turn off the heat and let cool on the stove. When cool, pour into a glass container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Strain out the peel and thyme. Store in the fridge for up to 3 months.
Makes about 1 cup.
For the cocktail
Pour the Lillet and simple syrup into a small pitcher. This concoction can be doubled or tripled or multiplied any number of times to meet your needs and match your supply of Prosecco. If you’re feeling especially festive, garnish the syrup in the pitcher with a fresh sprig of thyme and a fresh grapefruit peel.
Pour a few teaspoons of Lillet mixture into a champagne flute, top with prosecco, and garnish with a grapefruit segment. Serve immediately. Salut!
For assembly
On a large platter, arrange the vegetables and fresh lettuces (frisee and watercress) artfully. Drizzle with the dressing (about 6 tablespoons). Dollop with the cheese using two small spoons, and arrange the prosciutto among the vegetables. Garnish with pomegranate seeds.
Cook’s Notes
To remove the peels from citrus, simply take a household peeler to the edge of a washed grapefruit and peel down the length of the grapefruit from top to bottom. If you are lucky enough to have avoided the bitter white pith, you’re set to go. If you have a little of the pith attached to the peel, carefully remove it with a sharp paring knife. (Watch our video for a stellar visual).
