Pomegranate-Cranberry Bellinis

Happy Valentine's Day!

This Valentine's Day you could go all stereotypical, with strawberries and chocolate and plain ol' Champagne. Or you could step out of the box, put forth a little more effort, and create this amazingly refreshing cocktail for that special someone today.

There's so much to love about this drink. To start, it's got the perfect balance of sweet and sour... just like any good cocktail. The combination of sweet pomegranate and cranberry juices and bright, bitter limes is simply intoxicating. Then there's the fresh mint, that sings like the happy high note at the top of a major chord... just that little extra something that you hardly notice is there but would totally miss if it were gone. But the real kicker? The real thing that takes this drink over the top is the bubbly! It's what separates this drink from any simple sangria and what makes it absolutely perfect for an evening like Valentine's Day.

And all that extra effort? It's really no effort at all. One sip and no one will know that it only took you about 5 minutes to throw together. Which is good... leaves you more time to spend with that special someone this evening. Enjoy!


Pomegranate-Cranberry Bellinis
from Giada's Kitchen
yields about 12 servings, depending on glass size

Ingredients
1 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup ice
1 1/4 cups pomegranate juice, chilled
1 cup cranberry juice, chilled
one 750mL bottle Prosecco, Champagne, or sparkling wine, chilled
2 limes, thinly sliced + extra for garnish
1 bunch fresh mint + extra for garnish
seeds of 1 small pomegranate (1 cup)

Directions
1. In a saucepan, combine the water and sugar over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has completely dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
2. Place the ice in a 6-8 cup punch bowl or pitcher. Add the cooled simple syrup and both juices; stir well. Slowly add the Prosecco; stir well. Add the limes, mint leaves, and half of the pomegranate seeds, and stir well. Garnish individual glasses as desired with additional lime slices, mint leaves, and/or pomegranate seeds.