Comforting cocktails: three easy recipes with sparkling water

As the mercury drops, there’s nothing better than a festive cocktail to warm you up from the inside out. Not a drinker? You can still enjoy a cozy moment with these seasonal sips, since the homemade syrups incorporated into each recipe also make delicious sparkling mocktails.

Pear spritz

Who could possibly resist the sweet, soothing aroma of pear? If you have a sweet tooth, this cocktail is for you.

Ingredients

For the cocktail

1.25 oz pear and star anise syrup (recipe below)
1 oz Belle de Brillet pear liqueur
0.25 oz St-Germain elderberry liqueur
0.25 oz lemon juice
Eska sparkling lime water, to taste
2 oz of Prosecco (optional)

*To make this a mocktail, simply leave out the spirits

For the pear and star anise syrup

¾ cup water
1 medium-sized ripe pear, cut into small pieces
6 tbsp. granulated sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
4 star anise
Drop of vanilla extract

Instructions

For the pear and star anise syrup

In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil.
Add the sugar.
Once the sugar is dissolved, add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for at least 8 minutes. The longer they simmer, the more flavourful the syrup will be.
Using a sieve, strain the entire mixture.
Pour into an airtight container. Store for up to one month.

For the cocktail

Place all of the ingredients into a shaker full of ice. Shake well.
Pour the mixture into a glass filled with ice, making sure to filter it well. Top off with Eska sparkling lime water.
Garnish with a slice of pear and star anise.

Tip: Right before you pour the cocktail into a glass, add 2 oz of Prosecco for an even more festive treat!

Pumpkin spiced rum

This cozy cocktail inspired by fan-favourite pumpkin spice will have you falling under its spell in no time. Best enjoyed bundled up on the couch!

Ingredients

For the cocktail

15 oz spiced rum
1.5 oz lemon juice
1.5 oz pumpkin syrup (recipe below)
1 oz egg white
Eska sparkling lemon water, to taste
Cinnamon to garnish

*To make this a mocktail, simply leave out the spirits

For the pumpkin syrup

1 cup water
¾ cup brown sugar
3 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/3 cup pumpkin puree

Instructions

For the pumpkin syrup

In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil.
Add the sugar.

Once the sugar is dissolved, add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for at least 8 minutes. The longer they simmer, the more flavourful the syrup will be.
Using a sieve, strain the entire mixture.
Pour into an airtight container. Store for up to one month.

For the cocktail

Place all of the ingredients into a shaker full of ice cubes. Shake well.
Strain the mixture into a separate glass, then remove the ice from the shaker.
Pour the mixture back into the shaker, then shake it again for 30 more seconds.
Pour the mixture into a large glass. Slowly top off with Eska sparkling lemon water, until the bubbles rise slightly above the rim.
Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Apple-ginger sbagliato

This festive apple-ginger cocktail is sure to please. Pure comfort in a glass!

Ingredients

For the cocktail

0.5 oz Italian vermouth
0.75 oz Campari
0.5 oz prosecco
0.5 oz apple-ginger syrup (recipe below)
Eska sparkling water, to taste

*To make this a mocktail, simply leave out the spirits

For the apple-ginger syrup

¼ cup brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 ½ cups water
1 small apple, cut into thin slices
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. fresh grated ginger

Instructions

For the apple-ginger syrup

In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil.
Add the sugar.
Once the sugar is dissolved, add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for at least 8 minutes. The longer they simmer, the more flavourful the syrup will be.
Using a sieve, strain the entire mixture.
Pour into an airtight container. Store for up to one month.

For the cocktail

Place all of the ingredients, except the prosecco, into a shaker. Shake well.
Pour into a small glass. Add the prosecco and top off with Eska sparkling water.
Decorate the glass with a few apple slices.

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