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Holiday cocktail recipe: Learn how to make 'The Nutcracker'

Scripps News food and wellness contributor Jessica DeLuise has crafted a bubbly drink featuring dark cherries, rich Amaretto and champagne for the holidays. Learn how to make "The Nutcracker." (Scripps News)

By: Jessica DeLuise

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Looking for a holiday cocktail with a little sparkle?

Scripps News food and wellness contributor Jessica DeLuise has crafted a sweet, tart, and bubbly drink featuring muddled dark cherries, rich Amaretto, and champagne.

The Nutcracker

Ingredients

2 frozen dark cherries, pitted
3 oz sparkling wine or champagne
1 oz amaretto
½ oz tart cherry juice
1 tbsp pomegranate arils
Ice cubes:
Per cube: 1 frozen dark cherry, 1 tbsp pomegranate seeds, 1 tbsp water

Instructions:

About 1 day prior to making your cocktails, prepare the ice cubes. · I use these silicone, spherical trays.
In your favorite, stemless glass, muddle 2 cherries.
Add the cherry juice and amaretto to the glass.
Drop in an ice cube.
Top with champagne or sparkling wine.

For a mocktail, swap out champagne for sparkling cider and amaretto for an almond syrup or omit.

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