Cava in the simplest terms is the Spaniards’ version of champagne. The sparkling wine is produced in the Catalonia region of northeast Spain, just outside Barcelona. Macabeu, parellada and xare are the indigenous grapes making up the majority of the Cava production. As in the States, bubbles play a very important role in Spanish celebrations.
Below are three awesome cava cocktails to kick off your first spring soiree!
Sparkling Elderflower Lemonade
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup elderflower liqueur (such as St-Germain)
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups ice cubes
- 3 cups chilled cava
Microwave sugar and water in a microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 2 minutes. Stir until sugar dissolves. Cool completely (15 minutes). Stir together sugar syrup, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and ice cubes. Let stand 20 minutes. Stir in chilled sparkling wine, and serve immediately.
Source: Southern Living
Sparkling Sangria
- 1 cup cherries, pitted and halved
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 cup quartered small strawberries
- 1/2 cup chopped nectarine (about 1)
- 1/3 cup brandy
- 1 cup apricot nectar, chilled
- 1 (750-milliliter) bottle cava, chilled
Combine the first 6 ingredients in a large pitcher, and chill for at least 2 hours. Stir in 1 cup nectar and wine. Serve immediately.
Source: Cooking Light
Honeydew Mimosas
- 1/2 medium honeydew melon (about 4 cups), cubed
- 1 cup crushed ice
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 (750 ml) bottle sparkling wine, chilled
- Garnishes: lime wedges
Combine first 3 ingredients in a blender. Process until smooth. Pour mixture into a large pitcher; add sparkling wine. Pour into glasses. Garnish, if desired.
Source: Wine Awesomeness Test Kitchen
