Sparkling Ginger Daisy

Sparkling Ginger Daisy

Sometimes things fall together so smoothly you just know it’s meant to be.

Months ago, Diva on a Diet told me about Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur. Alas, it is unavailable in Ontario. So when I went to the Roger Smith Food Writer’s conference in New York, Diva kindly offered to bring me a bottle of this elusive liqueur when we met up for a meal. At the time, I had no idea what I would do with this unusual booze, but flirted with the idea of ginger cheesecake.

Enter Kara Newman, author of Spice & Ice: 60 Tongue-Tingling Cocktails. We met at the food writing conference, exchanged business cards, chatted about her book and when I got home? Kara invited me to her virtual cocktail party. As a gracious host, she provided a long list of intriguing cocktails. I wondered how I could choose among titles like Dragonfire Cocktail  (jalapeno-infused vodka or tequila, OJ), Blackberry-Poblano Margarita and Sangria Scorcher  (white wine, chile peppers, elderflower cordial). Then I saw Sparkling Ginger Daisy made with — you guessed it — Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur. Coincidence? I think not!

The drink is not-too-sweet, with a lovely bite. The unexpected pairing of gin and ginger works beautifully and the grenadine adds colour to an otherwise pale beverage. I’m not usually a champagne girl, but the added fizz is perfect in this cocktail. I can see Sparkling Ginger Daisies becoming a summertime drink I could like a little too much.

The Daisy won me over instantly, but shooting the picture proved challenging. I don’t have champagne flutes and all my wine glasses are etched from the dishwasher. The only mildly interesting stemware is a couple of kitschy pieces with hearts I picked up during a love-sick moment when Andrew and I had just started courting. How on earth would I tie those in with a story about ginger cocktails?

And on Friday night, my sister announced her engagement.

Coincidence? I think not!

So, here’s a toast to my sister and her fiance — who got engaged in Jamaica, namesake of the best ginger in the world.

Oh, this just gets better and better…

I’m exercising what little discipline I have by not leaving a mushy sentiment for the happy couple — which is quite a feat given the obvious metaphors provided by this spicy, effervescent drink. But given that I have already blubbered rivers of joyous tears and prematurely announced the news on Facebook (although in my defense I had permission), a schmaltzy blog note would come back to haunt me.

Non-family members, on the other hand, should feel free to leave a cocktail-inspired toast to my little sister. Coming from you, I bet she’d think it was sweet.

Sparkling Ginger Daisy

Yield: 1 drink

A daisy is a classic juice-based cocktail sweetened with grenadine or a red liqueur, and often topped with sparkling wine. Here, the bright spice of ginger plays against a backdrop of bubbles for a festive holiday sparkler. And if you feel like gilding the lily, try one or both of the optional special touches below.

  • 1 ounce Plymouth Gin
  • 1 ounce Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur
  • Lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon grenadine
  • Brut champagne

Combine gin, ginger liqueur, lemon juice and grenadine in an ice-filled mixing glass. Stir until well chilled, and strain into a Champagne flute. Top with champagne.

Optional touch #1:  If desired, rim the flute with sparkling sugar before pouring in the drink.

Optional touch #2:  Garnish with a cherry at the bottom of the flute.

19 Comments
  • Stuart Wood
    Posted at 09:13h, 01 March

    You could try subbing Canton for Stones Original Green Ginger Wine which you can find easily at the LCBO.

  • adrian
    Posted at 10:33h, 01 March

    This is ticking a lot of boxes for me, Charmaine – I love ginger, gin and bubbly! But I’m always leery of using a good champagne in a cocktail – any recommendations for a dry, white, sparkling substitute? Prosecco?

  • The Diva on a Diet
    Posted at 10:45h, 01 March

    I had a feeling you’d be making this one … and I’m so glad you did! It sounds fantastic and what a great initial use for the Canton. I will be trying this soon myself. Its lovely!

    How nicely synchronous that this festive drink coincides with your sister’s happy news. Congrats to her and all of you! 🙂

    Lastly, thanks so much for putting me in touch with Kara. I love her book and will probably drink my way through it! LOL
    .-= The Diva on a Diet´s last blog ..Candy Making 101: Orange and Lemon Creams =-.

  • Suzy
    Posted at 11:07h, 01 March

    Ooooo, this looks delicious! I love gin drinks so I’m always looking for something new.

    Congrats and best wishes to your sister!
    .-= Suzy´s last blog ..Barry’s Chocolate Cake =-.

  • Dana McCauley
    Posted at 11:10h, 01 March

    I know Kara! I didn’t know she had written a cocktail book though – I know her as a trendologist!

    How fun! The world is indeed a small place!

    Best to your sister! Now she’ll get some nice dishes for showers and such instead of just giving them to you as gifts.

  • Cheryl@5secondrule
    Posted at 16:35h, 01 March

    A toast to (Robin? is that your sister’s name?) and her fiance (whose name I don’t know — help a girl out!):

    May the two of you enjoy a life filled with sweetness and spice, and moments of calm wonderment and effervescent luminance. Salud!
    .-= Cheryl@5secondrule´s last blog ..Gyoza =-.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 08:55h, 02 March

    @Stuart Wood, Interesting thought. Wonder if the ginger wine would mean I can omit the champagne?

    I emailed the LCBO and the liqueur isn’t available here. No one told me about the wine. Thanks for the heads up!

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:01h, 02 March

    @adrian, The ginger liqueur and gin are strongly flavoured so the subtleties of a really good champagne would be lost. I’d substitute any affordable, dry, sparkling white wine. I used Henkell Trocken (a gift from the holidays).

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:03h, 02 March

    @The Diva on a Diet, you know me so well. But how could I have passed on this cocktail?

    When Kara told me about her virtual cocktail party, I knew you’d be a great fit. I just didn’t know which one you’d pick for Thirsty Thursday. Glad you liked the book as much as I suspected.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:05h, 02 March

    @Suzy, Thanks Suzy. This drink is definitely new and deliciously different. Kara’s done an amazing job creating cocktails that are innovative but not intimidating.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:07h, 02 March

    @Dana McCauley, I didn’t know Kara was a trendologist. Small world indeed!

    If I give my sister new dishes I wonder if she’ll start a blog and tell stories about me? Too frightening to think about!

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:13h, 02 March

    @Cheryl@5secondrule, it’s confusing. Robin is one of my sisters. She comments here faithfully, but isn’t the one who’s getting married.

    My sister Allison is the one who got engaged. Her fiance is Dale who loves that decadent chocolate chip cookie parfait.
    http://christiescorner.com/2009/07/23/decadent-chocolate-chip-cookie-parfait/

    Thanks for the lovely salute. I’ll pass your toast onto her and Dale.

  • adrian
    Posted at 13:13h, 02 March

    thanks for the tip, Charmian. I once read that the late Queen Mums favourite cocktail was gin and champagne. Bet she didn’t use Henkell…

  • lori
    Posted at 21:01h, 02 March

    Oh joy!

  • Sophie
    Posted at 08:51h, 07 March

    MMMMMMM,..what a lovely refreshing home made drink!!
    .-= Sophie´s last blog ..Delia’s jerusalem artichokes & carrot soup =-.

  • Francis
    Posted at 15:02h, 09 March

    Ooooo! That sounds yummy! I love oh so love cocktails and trying new ones. This is a new one for me. I will try it out tonight! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
    .-= Francis´s last blog ..Chef Knife Sets =-.

  • Dug
    Posted at 07:21h, 24 July

    Hmmm, gin, ginger and champagne, three of my favourite things. I absolutely have to try this. Just need to hunt down some ginger liqueur.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 13:20h, 24 July

    @Dug, not sure where you’re located, but it couldn’t find ginger liqueur where I live. I had to bring a bottle back with me when I was in New York City (thanks to Diva on a Diet!)

    Not sure what I’ll do when it’s gone. Head back to NYC? Perhaps.

  • Dug
    Posted at 16:49h, 24 July

    @Charmian Christie,
    I am in the UK.
    Use the power of the internet. I ordered my elderflower liqueur over the internet and it arrived the next day.