Prosecco Passion Sparklers: What's the Secret Ingredient? Tea!

Cheers!

I’m wrapping up my 3-part series on tea cocktails with some bubbles! (Find an Earl Grey-infused sipper here and a kicky Ginger Tea Cooler here.) This time, I wanted to do something bright and fruity, and these Prosecco Passion Sparklers really hit the spot. I love this drink as an aperitivo—it’s simple to make and can be prepped waaaaay ahead. Serve this right before (or with) a starter like prosciutto and melon  or as a sip before serving a crab cake dinner.

Here how to make this tasty drink:

Steep the tea bags.

Put it together with some prosecco or sparkling wine and you're done!

Prosecco Passion Sparklers

1          cup water

1/2     cup sugar

3          passion fruit tea bags, such as Tazo Passion

1          750-ml bottle chilled prosecco

Lemon twists

1. Combine 1 cup water, sugar, and tea bags in a small pot over medium high heat. Bring mixture to a boil. Remove from heat, and let steep until liquid cools to room temperature. Squeeze liquid from tea bags; discard tea bags.
2. Pour 4 teaspoons passion syrup into a small glass, and top with 1/2 cup prosecco. Garnish with a lemon twist. (Alternatively, combine syrup and prosecco in a pitcher to make by the batch.)

CALORIES 152; FAT 0g; PROTEIN 0g; CARB 19g; FIBER 0g; CHOL 0mg; IRON 0mg; SODIUM 1mg; CALC 3mg

Now this syrup has a cocktail life of its own: Stir a teaspoon or two into a vodka and lemonade cocktail to add an extra layer of flavor. Or use it to mix up a mojito—the mint and bright sugar will be delicious with light rum, or you can just pair it with sparkling water and a wedge of lemon for a refreshing thirst quencher.