“Elysium” is a Greek word that translates to “state of eternal bliss,” and with one sip of Quady Elysium, you’ll understand exactly why we chose this name for our Black Muscat dessert wine. Made from Black Muscat grapes rarely used in winemaking, once crushed, the juice from the grapes is allowed to cold soak in the skins, seeds and stalks (macerate), absorbing all of the full-flavored, heavenly sweetness every part of the ripe grapes has to offer. If you’ve ever walked through a garden on a warm summer day and plucked a piece of juicy, sunkissed fruit straight from the vine and eaten it on the spot, you can imagine the lush flavors we’re talking about; nature’s candy – blissfully sweet Black Muscat flavors of cherries, berries and roses, captured and bottled in our Elysium dessert wine.

But you landed on this post looking for cocktail recipes, didn’t you? What does an after-dinner treat like dessert wine have to do with cocktails? We’re so glad you asked! Because now that we’ve told you about the beautiful berry flavors Elysium offers on its own, it’s time to share how mixing this balanced dessert wine into your favorite classic and modern cocktails will take your tastebuds to paradise.

Elysium Black Muscat is a fantastic alternative to traditional dark berry liquors like Chambord. Its sweetness softens the heavy bite or “burn” that can come from higher-proof spirits, while simultaneously offering aromatic tastes of strawberry, raspberry and rose ─ flavors regularly used in cocktails. Additionally, with an alcohol level at less than half of some popular liqueurs, Elysium delivers more flavor without making cocktails excessively boozy. Anyone for seconds? (This also makes it a great mixing option for those searching for low ABV beverages.)

To get you started mixing and exploring with Elysium, here are 4 popular cocktail recipes to try:

Elysium Paloma

Add some rich red berry flavors into your Paloma cocktail for a new easy-to-mix favorite. This slightly bubbly version is perfect for almost every season and occasion. Cheers!

INGREDIENTS:

2 oz. Tequila Blanco
2 oz. Quady Elysium Black Muscat Dessert Wine
1 oz. Lime juice
Grapefruit soda to top
Garnish: mint leaf, raspberry, grapefruit and/or pineapple

PREPARATION:

Add ingredients to a cocktail or highball glass with ice. Stir, garnish and serve.

 

Elysium French Martini

A versatile, delicious and easy-to-make take on the French martini featuring our Elysium Black Muscat dessert wine. Elysium provides more complex and balanced red berry flavors compared to the typical liqueurs used in the cocktail. Use just a small amount of Elysium if you want a more traditional vodka-forward martini, or more Elysium to offer an easier drinking and more flavorful version.

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. – 1 1/2 oz. Quady Elysium Black Muscat Dessert Wine
0.5 oz. Pineapple juice
Garnish: Lemon peel

PREPARATION:

Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish and serve.

 

Sparkling Elysium (Kir Royale)

A simple combination of sweet, dark berry Elysium and refreshingly bubbly sparkling wine – that’s anything but simple in flavor.

INGREDIENTS:

1-1.5 oz. Quady Elysium Black Muscat Dessert Wine
Top with Champagne, Prosecco or Sparkling Wine
Garnish: strawberry or raspberry

PREPARATION:

Pour Elysium into champagne flute and top off with sparkling wine.

 

Beautiful Booze’s Scotch Sour

Created by Natalie Migliarini of Beautiful Booze. Check out her original post and content HERE!

INGREDIENTS:

1 oz. Scotch Whiskey
1 oz. Quady Elysium Black Muscat Dessert Wine
1 oz. Lemon juice
1 oz. Honey syrup

PREPARATION:

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill and combine ingredients. Double strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with lemon peel.