Blackberry Thyme Champagne Cocktail

What would afternoon tea be without a cocktail.

Our afternoon tea a couple week ago started with this blackberry thyme champagne cocktail and of course our committee had to sample it before the tea to make sure it was just right. Some of the ladies helping decided they liked it a little sweeter so we added more than the one teaspoon of blackberry syrup the recipe. One teaspoon of the syrup will give you a nice glass of pinkish champagne or prosecco. 

Don’t you just love the bubbles of champagne and when you add this blackberry syrup to the glass it makes for a perfect cocktail and the sprig of fresh thyme and a blackberry for garnish.

At the tea we served this cocktail with some blue cheese stuffed dates wrapped with prosciutto before the ladies sat down to an afternoon of tea with sandwiches, sweets and scones.

I can’t think of champagne without remembering years ago when son number one got married and we served Veuve Clicquot champagne at the rehearsal dinner. Why I remember this particular champagne is because we had a certain minimum we had to meet for the dinner and at one point I remember the waiter telling us that we were still about $1,500 from the minimum and our kids started ordering Veuve Clicquot champagne. They must have ordered a lot of it because it did not take long to reach the minimum for the dinner. I’ve since bought this champagne to celebrate the arrival of grandson number one. I think I bought prosecco for remaining other 5 grandsons to celebrate. Champagne for the first because I didn’t think we would ever become grandparents. I’d buy this champagne again but I need something special to celebrate to spend over $50 on a bottle; hey, maybe for our 50th anniversary we are celebrating this summer with all the kids and grandkids at Turks and Caicos; I may have to take a couple of bottles or celebrate when we get back.

BLAST FROM THE PAST: This Mushroom Turnover in Cream Cheese Pastry was one of our hot savories we served at the ladies tea. 

After making the blackberry syrup, strain and refrigerate until chilled. See last picture if you want to skip making the syrup.

Put about one teaspoon of the syrup in the bottom of the class (this was more like a tablespoon) and add a fresh blackberry and a sprig of thyme.

Slowly pour in the champagne.

If you do not want to make the blackberry syrup, buy some Creme de Mure which is a blackberry liqueur. This also goes in my blackberry bramble cocktail.