Mum’s THE WORD

CHAMPAGNE CRUSTAS

MAKES 6 PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES

A crusta is a vintage cocktail containing spirit, lemon juice (in this case orange juice), sugar and aromatic bitters.

• 120 ml freshly squeezed orange juice
• 40 ml elderflower liqueur
• 40 ml almond syrup (see note)
• 40 ml brandy
• a few dashes of bitters
• caster sugar, to serve
• 1 orange wedge, for rubbing
• 750 ml chilled Champagne or sparkling wine
• 6 thinly peeled strips of orange rind, to serve

1. Mix orange juice, elderflower liqueur, almond syrup, brandy and bitters in a mixing glass half-filled with ice and stir with a bar spoon until chilled.

2. Place caster sugar in a shallow bowl. Rub an orange wedge around the rims of 6 chilled Champagne coupes or flutes, or wine glasses, then dip the rims in the sugar to coat.

3. To serve, strain the cocktail mixture into the glasses, top up with Champagne, twist the orange rinds over the glasses and drop them in to garnish.

Note: Almond syrup, also known as orgeat syrup, is