I was asked recently to come up with a red and black cocktail for an upcoming graduation party, and so I’ve spent a lot of time playing with some interesting and not very appealing combinations.  It devolved into looking at any recipe online that had a picture of a red drink.

However, last night I got down to basics, and here’s my proposed solution:

Ms. Dawg

• 1 oz. orange brandy, e.g., Grand Marnier
• 1 oz. cranberry/pomegranate juice
• 1 tsp. blood orange bitters
• champagne/prosecco
• lime
• black sugar

Take a small slice of lime and juice the rim of a champagne flute.  Rim with black sugar.  Drop the lime slice into the flute.  Add the first three ingredients, then top off with champagne or prosecco.

Some helpful tips: Make your own Grand Marnier. (This is also useful.)  The blood orange bitters is amazingly available at Publix in the mixer section.  I haven’t checked locally, but both Michael’s and Hobby Lobby should carry Wilton Black Sugar.

Other than the black sugar rims making the young ladies at the party look awfully Goth, it should be a hit.