Isn’t too much of a good thing what New Year’s Eve is all about? When Ms. S&C likes something, she kinda gets all consumed by it. Take Duffy’s Rockferry album for instance. Once she got it for her b-day, it was in heavy rotation on her Ipod for weeks. Everyday on the metro, she would listen to the whole album beginning to end (she’s usually a shuffle kind-of a girl). Now that the Duffy newness has worn off, she’s moved on to T.I’s Whatever You Like. Damn, that song is catchy. And, let me tell you — it made the metro ride to work today at least bearable. The first day back after the holidays is the pits. Absolute. Pits.
Ms. S&C’s obsession fascination with punch has lasted a lot longer (yes, it made the 2008 Year in Review list). When given the opportunity to make a holiday cocktail for LKO’s New Year’s Eve party, she could not resist. Taking cues from the autumn spiced punch and LC’s champagne punch, we came up with this delicious Shoes & Cocktails exclusive — a sparkling cherry punch! This drink’s bright, festive color make it a perfect holiday cocktail. It was a splendid way to start off the night!
After recently trying a Ritz Cocktail with maraschino liqueur, I knew I wanted to use cherry liquor in something, so I replaced the apricot brandy from the champagne punch. And, I feel like if you are going to go through the trouble of making simple syrup yourself, you might as well infuse it with something. I made this simple syrup with cranberries mainly because I had a leftover bag of them in the freezer, but also because I wanted something with the deep red color (I thought more cherries in the syrup may be an overload on cherry flavor). The frozen cherries were a delicious little surprise at the bottom of the cup, and they helped keep the punch cold.
Sparkling Cherry Punch
Ingredients:
- 4 bottles of champagne
- 2 bottles of white wine (I used Sauvignon Blanc)
- 8 oz. cranberry infused simple syrup (see ingredients and directions below)
- 8 oz. cherry brandy
- 1 bag of frozen pitted cherries
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl. Stir. Easy schmeasy!
Simple Syrup Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 bag frozen cranberries
Simple Syrup Directions:
It is recommended that you make the simple syrup a day in advance to maximize the cranberry flavor. Combine water, sugar, and cranberries in a saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce heat. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Cover and chill for 12-24 hours. Strain bits of cranberry from the syrup.
S&C wants to know: What fun, festive drinks did you have to ring in the new year? Share your NYE drinks below!
Shoes & Cocktails 
Wow, I swear we have the same music tastes… I was obsessed with Duffy and now it’s TI… though Beyonce’s Put a Ring On It is in heavy rotation.
A good drink- wintery I think- is ice, vodka, a bit of skim milk, chocolate chips and some fat free/sugar free vanilla pudding. Blend it up! Oh and don’t forget the Splenda!
By the way, what do you do with all those leftover cocktails
Leftover cocktails? I’ve never heard of such a thing…
I vouch for the deliciousness of the punch- it was to die for & went down (& down, & down) so easily). Another hit for Ms. S&C!
Brett, thanks for sharing your wintery drink! Almost sounds a little bit like a skinny white russian?
And, to Katherine’s point — with my circle of friends, there are never any leftover cocktails:)
Yes, I too can vouch for the sheer deliciousness of the cherry punch – it went down very easily! So much fun to celebrate NYE with Ms. S&C!
I am thrilled to get a mention! And Brett should know that ‘put a ring on it’ was played several times while we enjoyed the punch.