Thirsty Thursday * Ho Ho Ho And A Bottle of Sparkly

With all this talk this week about holiday recipes - appetizers, desserts, cocktails and mocktails - it got me thinking. About drinks. Big shocker. But I love a good holiday cocktail. Something festive and sparkly, just like Christmas (or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, etc. I don't want to leave anyone out here). 

I saw this drink recipe a few weeks ago and it screamed holiday cocktail to me. Well, not actually out loud, but in my head. There's lots of screaming that goes on in there, so sometimes it's hard to know who or what is doing the screaming. But it was clear at that point, that this cocktail was yelling my name. 

I should point out that I love all things sparkly when it comes to drinky treats. Champagne. Sparkling wine. Cava. Prosecco. They all have my heart. And when I can combine them with homemade ingredients and something that's good for me (in this case, fruit, so I won't get scurvy. And if you don't know what scurvy is, you can look it up here), it's another big Wendy Win (the big is in reference to the win, not the Wendy).
I've named this magical scurvy cure the Blackberry Vanilla Holiday Sparkler. Because it's my cocktail. And I can. Here are the ingredients you'll need:

Champagne, Sparking Wine, Prosecco or Cava. Your choice Vodka (I like Grey Goose - but any top shelf vodka will do) 2 tsp Homemade Vanilla Syrup (recipe for that below) 2 Tbsp blackberry jam (we were out of blackberry so I used raspberry - shhh don't tell) fresh blackberries on a toothpick for garnish

• In a cocktail shaker mix together with a spoon the jam and the vanilla syrup until well blended. 
• Add ice. 
• Then add the vodka and shake well (like you would shake a martini to make sure it's blended well. Remember the syrup and jam will be thick and will get thicker with the cold ice cubes). 
• Strain your mixture into two champagne flutes and top with your sparkly of choice (Champagne, in my case) and garnish with the blackberries. 
• Drink up and sit on Santa's lap to tell him what you want for Christmas. 

I'm skipping the last part, since I'd have to tell him I've not been a good girl yet again this year. Same as last year. Keep moving along. Nothing new to see here, folks. Keep movin'.

Homemade Vanilla Syrup
3 1/2 cups water 3 cups sugar (white sugar) 1/2 cu brown sugar 3 Tbsp vanilla extract (the real kind, not the imitation vanilla - I used bourbon vanilla extract from Trader Joe's) 

Combine your water and both kinds of sugar in a sauce pan over medium heat. Cook until the mixture becomes thick and syrupy (15-20 minutes). Let it cool and then add your vanilla extract. Store it in a sterilized mason jar and use in your coffee, dessert recipes or cocktails. 

I'm off to try to think about Thanksgiving, since it's really still the next holiday hurdle and Christmas seems like light years away (sort of). Feel free to serve this drink at your Thanksgiving dinner too. I think it goes great with turkey and difficult family members. 
You're welcome.