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Cocktail History
The Minute To Midnight is a Sips From Scripts original cocktail that was created as a variation of the After Midnight, which is a riff on the classic Kir Royale that was first published in Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn & Winter by Jassy Davis. The author’s recipe called for sparkling wine and crème de figue, but since we weren’t able to locate a bottle of fig liqueur in our area, we substituted it for pear liqueur and added Armagnac to create a more complex twist on New Year’s Eve bubbly.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Sparkling Wine: This is a carbonated wine made with white or red grapes. We used Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut because it features pear, apple, and citrus, flavor with notes of grapefruit, lemon, almond, and toast. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Gruvi Non-Alcoholic Prosecco in place of the sparkling wine.
Armagnac: This is a type of brandy made in Armagnac, France with distilled white wine. We used ODVI Armagnac because it’s fresh, fruity, peppery, and mild with notes of peach and prune. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Escape Mocktails Non-Alcoholic Cognac Alternative in place of the brandy.
Pear Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with Bartlett pears, quince, sugar, and alcohol. We used Maison Ferrand Mathilde Poire Liqueur because it has a rich fruit flavor. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Monin Premium Pear Syrup in place of the pear liqueur.
Aromatic Bitters: This is a food product made with botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. We used Angostura Aromatic Bitters. For a mocktail version of this drink, try All The Bitter Alcohol-Free Aromatic Bitters in place of the aromatic bitters.
Lemon Twist: This is the peel of a lemon that has been twisted into a corkscrew shape.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. We used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Peeler: This is used to remove the garnish peel from the citrus. We used the OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Peeler Set.
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Tasting Notes
The Minute To Midnight begins with the aromas of citrus and sparkling wine and tastes mostly like the bubbly with notes of Armagnac, fruit, and bitters in the aftertaste.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: This is another drink we both absolutely loved, Kendall especially! She has already said she will definitely be sipping the Minute To Midnight when the ball drops this New Year’s Eve and many others to come.
Kendall’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Gin is the spirit that is most often paired with sparkling wine, but I’ve really come to love cocktails that call for brandy instead. In my opinion, gin is often overpowered far too much by the bubbly despite its unique botanical flavor, meanwhile brandy has a darkness that shines right through. That’s certainly the case with the Minute To Midnight; this drink’s flavors dance across your tongue with a bit of effervescence thanks to the sparkling wine. It’s also not too dry or too sweet but just right for a NYE crowd with varying tastes in boozy beverages. I really, really love this one!”
Recipe
Minute To Midnight
The Minute To Midnight is a Sips From Scripts original cocktail that was created as a variation of the After Midnight, which is a riff on the classic Kir Royale that was first published in Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn & Winter by Jassy Davis. The author’s recipe called for sparkling wine and crème de figue, but since we weren’t able to locate a bottle of fig liqueur in our area, we substituted it for pear liqueur and added Armagnac to create a more complex twist on New Year’s Eve bubbly.
Ingredients
Method
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Add brandy, pear liqueur, and bitters to a champagne glass.
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Top with sparkling wine.
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Garnish with lemon twist.
