When I was a kid I loved grapes, grape juice and grape soda. I still love grapes but the juices and sodas have become a bit too sweet for my adult palate and I wanted to explore a way to drink the fruit of the vine where the grape shines and not the sugars from processing.
The easiest way to balance sugar is with a citrus and another wait to cut the sweetness is by adding a bit of effervescence from a dry sparkling wine or a Brut Champagne so I did a bit of both. The bit of grassiness in the mint lends a bit more balance as well as added flavor and crispness. By the time I had combined all these I finally had a cocktail version of the grape beverages I loved as a kid!
The frozen grapes are not only a great garnish, they help to keep your cocktail chilled while you enjoy it.
SPARKLING GRAPE MARTINI
1-1/2 Oz. Citrus Vodka
1 Oz. Concord Grape Juice
1 Oz. White Grape Juice
3 Mint Leaves
1 Oz. Dry Sparkling White Wine or Brut Champagne
Frozen Grapes to chill and for garnish
Sprig of Mint for garnish
Chill some grapes ahead of time, it only takes an hour or so for them to freeze. Chill your glass in the freezer. Muddle the mint leaves and the citrus vodka in the bottom of your cocktail shaker. Add one cup of ice to shaker then pour in both the grape juices and shake until well chilled. Strain into a martini glass to about 2/3 full then top off with the sparkling wine or Champagne. Add a few frozen grapes to the cocktail to keep chilled, place one grape on the rim and slide in the fresh mint sprig and enjoy!
1 Oz. Concord Grape Juice
1 Oz. White Grape Juice
3 Mint Leaves
1 Oz. Dry Sparkling White Wine or Brut Champagne
Frozen Grapes to chill and for garnish
Sprig of Mint for garnish
Chill some grapes ahead of time, it only takes an hour or so for them to freeze. Chill your glass in the freezer. Muddle the mint leaves and the citrus vodka in the bottom of your cocktail shaker. Add one cup of ice to shaker then pour in both the grape juices and shake until well chilled. Strain into a martini glass to about 2/3 full then top off with the sparkling wine or Champagne. Add a few frozen grapes to the cocktail to keep chilled, place one grape on the rim and slide in the fresh mint sprig and enjoy!
Now go get a copy of What's Eating Gilbert Grape (Johnny Depp and Leonardo Di Caprio are in it!) and enjoy it with this cocktail!
― Thomas Love Peacock