Orange Pomegranate Sparkler

Servings: 1

Total time: 15 Minutes

INGREDIENTS

1 cup pomegranate juice, fresh or bottled
½ cup granulated sugar
2 cups ice cubes
½ cup Diamond Crystal® Kosher Salt, for rim
2-3 oranges, zested and juiced
8 ounces gin
1 (32-ounce) bottle champagne, or sparkling wine

DIRECTIONS

Combine pomegranate juice and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves completely. Simmer mixture, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
Combine kosher salt and zest of one orange in small bowl. Rub together with fingertips to release oils from zest and infuse salt. Set aside.
Fill pitcher with ice. Add gin, pomegranate syrup, juice of one orange, and stir to combine.
Peel remaining orange into long curls for garnish. Set aside.
To serve, rim champagne flute or cocktail glass with an orange wedge. Dip rim into orange salt to coat. Fill glass about halfway with gin and pomegranate mixture and top off with champagne. 
Garnish with orange peel and serve.
Tip: If serving immediately, follow recipe steps. If making ahead, combine the cocktail in a pitcher
without ice and chill until ready to serve.