Dom and I were college sweethearts.
He went to school in Staten Island and I, Buffalo. We were about as far apart within the state as we could be. Thankfully, People Express Airlines had a flight for $39, making it possible for us to see each other every once in a while.
So what does this little anecdote have to do with Italian Pomegranate Fizz?
Asti.
Believe it or not, Asti Spumante was our drink of choice…
After my flight, I’d arrive to Dom’s dorm room which was situated on a top floor of a tall tower on his beautiful campus and the only thing blocking our perfect view of the NYC skyline was the silhouette of Asti bottles perched on his windowsill. Dom, so fancy and refined in my eyes, with a dorm room more organized than any other I had ever seen, and a taste for beverages beyond the typical PBR and OV Splits, had my attention.
So because my honey introduced me to sparkling white Italian wine, it has always held a very special place in my heart. And when I asked him recently to help me create a delicious cocktail, an aperitivo if you will, a drink lovely enough to offer our family as they arrive on Christmas Eve – it was no surprise to me that his recipe would include Asti.
Although Asti and pomegranate seeds are on the sweeter side, the Campari (also of Italian descent) complements beautifully with its slightly spicy bitter flavor, giving our drink a more traditional ‘aperitivo’ feel. Aperitivos, alcoholic beverages designed to stimulate the appetite, are usually on the dryer side, making Campari an obvious addition.
Okay – so we have some bubbles and a little bit of sweetness – but who can resist a drink the color of pink diamonds?
Not me!
Saluté!!
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Italian Pomegranate Fizz
- Category: Cocktail
Description
Italian Pomegranate Fizz! We have some bubbles and a little bit of sweetness – in a drink the color of pink diamonds. Yes!
Ingredients
- 6 heaping tsp. Pomegranate seeds
- 6 tsp. Campari
- Chilled 750 ml. bottle Asti Spumante
Instructions
- In six champagne flutes, add 1 tsp. each of pomegranate seeds and Campari.
- Top each glass with Asti.
- Serve and enjoy!
Ciao!
What a lovely story, Annie! You two are so cute 😉 And what a fantastic drink to toast to! Cheers, sweetie.
Just a little something special to offer family as they arrive…Cheers to you, doll! 🙂
What a sweet story. And this is such a pretty and classy looking drink. I think I’d feel like Ginger Rogers sipping one of these!
Yes, Ginger Rogers…love it! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Awww Annie that’s so sweet and love how you were introduced to this through Dom!! This looks stunning !
I appreciate your sweet words, Ami! 🙂
This drink is so pretty Annie, I love pomegranate anything!
Thanks, Manali! 🙂
Fun story and FABULOUS looking holiday drink. You’re right, you can resist something this beautiful?!
Why thank you, Emma!! Fun, festive and fabulous!!! 🙂 🙂
Oh Annie, that was such a beautiful story! I loved it and this gorgeous drink! It’s so festive and perfect for the holidays and will definitely impress all of your guests 🙂
Awhh! Thank you, my dear! I appreciate that! Have a happy day! 🙂
Aww, so so sweet. Certain things are close to our hearts and such a sweet read.
Cheers to a beautiful drink Annie, it looks wonderful and festive and sounds amazing. I am sure this will be enjoyed in every party it’s served to.
So perfect, loved this post.
xoxo
Thank you for your sweet words, my friend. I love greeting guests with something pretty as they arrive for the holidays…xoxo
I love this story, Annie! And festive cocktails like this just make me happy. I love the pomegranate, and these would be perfect for the holidays!
Awh…thanks, Marcie! And I am with you – festive cocktails make me happy too! Cheers!
What a beautiful little love story! I love that you still celebrate with your sweetheart and have a special drink. Pomegranates are so festive looking. I love the taste of them too….I’ll bet they are perfect in this fizzy drink!
Pomegranates are just too pretty not to include in everything they make sense in! Thank you, my dear! 🙂
That’s such a cute story! And I can’t believe a flight was that cheap! Though I remember flights between the Hawaiian islands being a cheap $50, but that was 15 years ago…I definitely want to try this wine!
Wow! That’s a great rate – mine was from more like ohhhhh 30 years ago! Try this wine – I think you’ll love it! Saluté!
What a sweet story, Annie! I’m going to make this drink this weekend and cheers to you and Dom 🙂 I love the holiday season because it means I can drink more fizzy alcoholic beverages than normal and not look like a total sot. I also like adding fruit to bubbly so it’s “healthy” and your recipe is perfect for that. Hahaha!
Yay! Here’s to ‘healthy’ drinks and the holiday season that gives us good reason to enjoy!! Cheers, milady! 🙂
What a sweet story! I never even knew that there is a college on Staten Island. Thank goodness for $39 flights and sparkling wine. I can’t resist a fizzy, pink cocktail!
Yep, Wagner College…and actually, Dom reminded me that sometimes flights were $19. Crazy! And you paid on the flight. Attendants would come around to collect your money. I say yes to fizzy pink cocktails! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Looks gorgeous Annie! Love the story! Can’t wait to make this cocktail!
Your cookies would look so pretty alongside this drink… 🙂
Such a sweet story Annie! This drink sounds wonderful and looks so festive. Cheers to that!
Thank you, Michelle! Cheers to you! 🙂
Love the color and I can imagine the delicious taste. Your story is so sweet — met my Honey the last year in college. Going on 46 years now. His drink of choice at the time was beer 🙁 I’ve introduced him to wine — it is his drink of choice now. Sometimes it takes a female to tame the male of the species 🙂
Hahahaha! That’s great… Thank you so much for your kind words, my friend! Saluté! 🙂
These are unbelievably gorgeous! I’m always looking for a creative starter drink for entertaining and it looks like I’ve found my new go-to holiday drink!
Thank you! I love that this holiday drink will make its way to your home! Enjoy! 🙂
This is such a gorgeous drink, Annie! I’ve never had a drink with pomegranate before. Can’t wait to try this out!
Dom does a nice job on the cocktail front! Thank you, my friend!
I love anything with Asti, so Dom and I have something in common. We’re also both big fans of you! 🙂
This drink is the perfect holiday way to imbibe. So pretty, too!
Awhhhh! Thank you, Sweetie! Cheers to you! 🙂
What a festive aperitivo! I may try this with Prosecco.
I have been enjoying your website, stories and recipes.
Thanks!
That sounds perfect! Thank you for your kind words, Lynne! Happy Holidays! 🙂
Annie! Love your anecdote about Dom and how he introduced you to sparkling Italian wine! looks great, like you say just like diamonds! Cheers!
Pretty as diamonds…Thank you, my friend! Cheers!