The Apple Berry Crush Cocktail is a light, fizzy cocktail that combines apple and berry flavours in a sparkling wine-based fizz. It’s an elegant aperitif-style drink with crisp apple notes, a subtle berry sweetness from blackcurrant, and herbal touches from rosemary.
Ingredients (for one serving)
- 20 ml (about â…” oz) apple brandy (such as English apple brandy or Calvados-style)
- 5 ml (about â…™ oz or a bar spoon) blackcurrant syrup (or cassis liqueur as a substitute for deeper berry flavor)
- 75 ml (about 2½ oz) sparkling wine (Prosecco, Cava, or a Croatian sparkling wine like Didin San works well)
- A few fresh rosemary leaves
- Thin slices of red apple and green apple (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a mixing glass or directly in the serving glass, combine the apple brandy and blackcurrant syrup.
- Top with the sparkling wine and gently stir to combine (avoid over-stirring to preserve the bubbles).
- Add a few rosemary leaves for aroma.
- Garnish by threading alternating thin slices of red and green apple onto a cocktail pick or skewer and placing it across the glass.
Serve in a flute, coupe, or wine glass, preferably chilled. It’s best enjoyed fresh so the sparkling wine doesn’t go flat.Flavor Profile
- Aroma: Fresh red and green apples, with blackcurrant/berry notes and a hint of rosemary.
- Taste: Crisp apple character from the brandy, sweet-tart blackcurrant (evoking blackberries), balanced by the dry, yeasty fizz of the sparkling wine. It has a light, refreshing quality with subtle oaky depth from the brandy.
This version comes from sparkling wine enthusiasts at Glass of Bubbly, highlighting international ingredients like Croatian sparkling wine and English apple brandy. It’s designed as a simple, low-effort fizz that’s perfect for brunches, aperitifs, or light celebrations.
Variations and Tips
- For a stronger berry punch, muddle fresh berries (like blackberries or raspberries) or use a berry liqueur instead of syrup.
- If you prefer it less sweet, reduce the blackcurrant syrup or choose a brut (dry) sparkling wine.
- Non-alcoholic version: Swap the brandy for apple juice or non-alcoholic apple spirit, use berry syrup or juice, and top with sparkling apple cider or non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
- Related drinks: Similar “crush”-style cocktails often involve muddling berries with apple cider, vodka/brandy, and lemonade (e.g., marionberry or cranberry-apple versions), but the sparkling wine base makes this one distinctly effervescent.
It’s a great way to highlight seasonal apples and pairs nicely with light appetizers or desserts. If you’re making it at home, experiment with different sparkling wines for variety!
