The Sweetheart

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If you’re looking for a simple, sweet cocktail for your Valentine’s Day celebration, I have just the drink for you! With just two easy ingredients, you can whip up a Sweetheart cocktail in no time at all—making it the perfect libation to pair with a delicious love day dinner or enjoy at a festive Galentine’s Day celebration. Regardless of what your day entails, this sipper is sure to make any happy hour guest smile—I mean, who wouldn’t be amused by cotton candy in their cocktail?

Until recently, cotton candy was a bit of a mystery to me. I found myself wondering—who first made this unique sweet treat and how did they do it? You may be surprised to learn that modern, machine-spun cotton candy—the stuff we know and love today—was invented by a dentist! That’s right, in 1897 William Morrison created the first known cotton candy, which he then introduced to the masses at the 1904 World’s Fair. At the event, he called the delicious dessert Fairy Floss and sold it for 25 cents a box. It wasn’t until 1978 that the first automated cotton candy machine was built and utilized, but today these modern machines can hold up to three pounds of sugar and make it possible for companies to produce enough cotton candy for carnivals, county fairs, and even for sale on grocery store shelves.

Step 1: Add one ball of cotton candy to your glass.

Fun Fact: You may be wondering… what’s the point of a champagne glass? Well, the shape helps to preserve the bubbles in your drink– making for a bubblier sipping experience! The proper way to hold a champagne class is from the stem. This prevents your hands from warming up the beverage– keeping the champagne cold inside the glass.

Step 2: Top with chilled Prosecco and garnish with the other ball of cotton candy! Watch as the Prosecco melts the cotton candy!

How to open a bottle of Prosecco:

Remove the foil and loosen the wire cage.
Drape a towel over the top of the neck. This is in case the cork pops on its own– you want to be ready to pick up any spilled wine.
Slowly twist the bottom of the bottle to ease the cork out. Twist and pull at the same time while keeping the bottle at a 45 degree angle. Make sure to keep it pointed away from yourself and others!

Tip: Pour only about an inch of wine at first. Then as the bubbles die down, pour the rest of the glass up to the rim– this will help to avoid any bubbles overflow.

Because we know how sweet cotton candy is—I mean, the stuff is made of pure sugar!—I knew it would be important to balance with a dry sparkling wine. And boy was that the right call! I quickly fell in love with the pairing, finding the resulting cocktail to be a perfect balance of flavors. Plus, the process of making this sparkling cocktail is not one to be missed! Pouring prosecco overtop cotton candy will make the sugary treat magically disappear. Top things off with a cotton candy garnish and this show stopping cocktail will delight all of your loved ones.