Raspberry-Fennel Bellini

By á-6301

Fennel adds a surprising but subtle note to this unique cocktail, created for us by Chef Suzanne Goin. For a nonalcoholic version, substitute sparkling water for the sparkling wine. When preparing the fennel syrup, steep it longer if you prefer a more intense fennel taste.

Ingredients

• Ingredients:
• For the fennel syrup:
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup fennel seeds
• 1 lb. raspberries, plus more for garnish
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• Ice cubes as needed
• Sparkling wine for serving

Preparation

Step 1

Directions:

To make the fennel syrup, in a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar, water and fennel seeds and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let steep for 1 to 2 hours. Strain the fennel syrup into a bowl and refrigerate until chilled. You should have about 2 cups fennel syrup. You will need 1/2 cup syrup for this recipe; refrigerate the remaining syrup for preparing other cocktails.

In a blender, combine the 1 lb. raspberries, the lemon juice, orange juice and the 1/2 cup fennel syrup and puree until smooth. You should have about 3 1/3 cups puree.

For each cocktail, fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add 2 oz. raspberry puree and 4 oz. sparkling wine. Shake gently, then adjust the sweetness with more fennel syrup as needed. Strain into a flute or a double old-fashioned glass and garnish with a fresh raspberry. Makes 13 cocktails.

Recipe by Chef Suzanne Goin.