Bring on the holiday parties! They’re my favorite part of the holiday season, so I wanted to share a drink that’s perfect for them - the Noir 75.

This festive take on the classic French 75 is made with Le Grand Noir’s Brut Réserve, gin, lemon juice, and some apple cider simple syrup I made with lemon zest and thyme.

If you haven’t tried Le Grand Noir’s Brut Réserve it’s a brut sparkling wine made with a blend of chardonnay and colombard grapes (and is possibly the only blend of this kind made using the same method as champagne). It’s dry, crisp, and fruity with notes of green apple and pear. 

Recipe created for Le Grand Noir Wines

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

- 2.5 oz Le Grand Noir Brut Réserve

- 1 oz Gin

- 3/4 oz Apple Cider

- 1/2 oz Apple Cider Simple Syrup*

- 1/2 oz Lemon juice

- Lemon peel for garnish

Directions:

1. Add gin, apple cider, simple syrup, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker.

2. Fill with ice and shake well to chill.

3. Strain into a champagne flute.

4. Top off with Le Grand Noir Brut Réserve.

5. Garnish with a lemon peel.

*Apple Cider Simple Syrup

Ingredients:

- 1 cup apple cider

- 1 cup sugar

- 5-6 thyme sprigs

- 1 tbsp lemon zest

Heat sugar and apple cider in a saucepan. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Transfer to a heat proof container filled with thyme and lemon zest. Stir, cover, and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Cheers and enjoy!