Filthy Fizz Checked Recipes

Steps:

• To make the base syrup, put the sliced pear, dried apricots, golden caster sugar, honey, sprig of rosemary and a strip of lemon zest in a saucepan with 100ml water. Heat for 10 mins or until the sugar has dissolved and the pear is very soft, then leave to cool completely.
• Strain the syrup into a jug, add the apple cider vinegar and chill in the fridge for at least 30 mins. Pour about 25ml of the syrup into a champagne flute and top with cold sparkling water. Garnish with a rosemary sprig, if you like.

Steps:

• I am a great believer in offering the sort of stuff everyone can knock back without justified hesitation. I think I have told you before that - due to its mood-enhancing properties - prosecco is known chez moi as prozacco. Well, unsurprisingly, this is a drink that forms the foundation of my liquid entertaining. My favourite of all is a drink introduced to me by Anna del Conte, called Prosecco Sporco, which involves pouring a glass of prosecco and then adding a dash or two of Campari. Prosecco sporco literally means 'dirty prosecco' but somehow Filthy Fizz sounds better to me. I find it unutterably chic and absolutely gorgeous into the bargain. The bitterness of Campari is not to everyone's taste (though the bitterer the better, as far as I'm concerned) so if you are wanting to turn this into a cocktail for the sweeter toothed, I suggest a dash of Chambord black raspberry liqueur instead, if you happen to have that in your drinks cupboard.