8 unique ways to elevate your glass of Prosecco

Prosecco is one of those perfect summer drinks — light, fizzy, and great with fruit and sunshine. So it’s not surprise that National Prosecco Day takes place during the hottest time of the year in the UK, when we’re all outside enjoying the weather.

This sparkling wine comes from Northern Italy, and has come to be instantly recognisable as a celebratory drink. Birthdays, summer BBQs, and Christmas parties are all occasions where you’d expect this tipple to turn up.

But have you thought about elevating your Prosecco with other ingredients? Adding some extras can make your go-to summer tipple into a special occasion, and some of the best add-ons are things you might already have in the fridge.

Prosecco goes excellently with many different types of fruit, herbs, and liqueurs, as well as lending itself to sweet flavours. So, there are many different ways that you can liven up the sparkling wine for a special occasion, or to add a nice touch to a cosy night in.

To help you celebrate National Prosecco Day on 13th August, glassware experts Forever Crystal have picked out a few of the most unique ways to add to your Prosecco and make it into a special drink.

Peach sorbet

Adding a scoop of peach sorbet to your glass of Prosecco can make it into your own version of a Bellini. While a Bellini is traditionally made by adding peach puree to Prosecco, the change to sorbet makes this into a cooling treat. Put the scoop of sorbet into the glass before pouring the Prosecco into it, and then enjoy the cooling summer beverage.

An ice cream scoop is ideal for portioning out the sorbet into your drink, but a tablespoon will do as well. Then, pour in the usual amount of Prosecco that you would have in one glass, and serve before the sorbet melts for a sweet, refreshing tipple. The classic way to serve this is like you would straight Prosecco or a Bellini — in a Prosecco glass.

Rose syrup

Though an unusual flavour, this one is a super quick and easy way of making Prosecco more luxurious. Pour your glasses of Prosecco, and then add a tablespoon of rose syrup, and wait for it to trickle down to the bottom of the glasses before you serve the drinks. This will give the Prosecco an extra floral flavour and some extra sweetness.

A Sgroppino

A Sgroppino is a simple cocktail that goes back years in Italy, but is relatively unheard of in the UK — and therefore is a great way to wow your guests. Just add one shot of vodka, and a scoop of lemon sorbet to a glass, then pour over your usual serving of Prosecco. This is a great sweet drink, and can even be used in place of a dessert at the end of a meal — a useful idea for a quick and easy dinner party dessert!

You can serve this in a classic champagne flute, or experiment with different types of crystal glass to make the Sgroppino look more like a dessert.

Blackberries

In Britain, we have lots of blackberries every year, and you might even have some growing wild in your garden. So, why not make use of them by creating a new drink made from Italian prosecco and this quintessential British berry?

Add a handful of blackberries, a teaspoon of sugar, and a few sprigs of thyme to each glass of Prosecco, and then enjoy the blend of berries and herbs.

Almond fizz

For another British twist, try adding some almond and Bakewell tart type flavours to your Prosecco. Put a kirsch-soaked cherry at the bottom of each glass, then add one tablespoon of kirsch. When you come to add the Prosecco, replace one third of the serving amount with amaretto.

This drink is a sweet, almond-flavoured cocktail that is extremely easy to make, and will be a tasty addition to any summer gathering, or a luxurious night in. Try using this drink as an aperitif prior to your meal, or as a quick cocktail for a balmy summer evening.

Raspberry and basil

You might be more used to having basil as a pizza topping, or a garnish on pasta, but it can be extremely tasty when used in desserts and drinks too.

Try replacing one quarter of your usual glass of Prosecco with raspberry liqueur, and then when the Prosecco is poured, add a sprig of fresh basil. The basil flavours will begin to blend with the raspberry and Prosecco flavours as you drink, making the perfect balance of floral and berry flavours with the alcohol.

You can also swap out the raspberry for strawberry, as this flavour also works extremely well with basil.

Elderflower and mint

For a cooling, refreshing cocktail, try adding elderflower and lime flavours to your Prosecco. Add a tablespoon of elderflower syrup, a handful of mint leaves, and a lime wedge to each glass of Prosecco.

If you want to make the drink a little lighter and more hydrating, you can replace a third of the Prosecco with sparkling water. This makes the drink into more of a spritzer. To make the drinks even more special, try serving them in a set of crystal glasses that allow your family or friends to see the mint leaves mixed into the fizz.

Prosecco grapes

For an even more unique way of serving Prosecco, try making Prosecco grapes. Simply soak your grapes in vodka and Prosecco for at least an hour in the fridge, then drain them, toss them in sugar, and serve for a sweet, summery snack that can work perfectly as an accompaniment to a light dinner.

Green grapes (also sometimes called white grapes) work best for this, as they go with the light flavours of a pale wine like Prosecco.