Skip to main content
Epicurious

Golden Hour

A golden champagne drink on a blue background
Photograph by Suzanne Saroff, food styling by Maggie Ruggiero, prop styling Linden Elstran

Keep this three-ingredient aperitif in your back pocket for festive occasions—it’s as easy to drink as it is to make. Suze, a bitter-floral gentian liqueur, pairs very well with Champagne and candied ginger, which dyes the drink a sunny golden color. For garnish, drop a piece of candied ginger into each coupe, where it will fizz and bubble from the bottom of the glass like the sugar cube in a classic Champagne cocktail.

To make a larger batch of Golden Hour ahead of time, combine the Suze and ginger syrup and chill until ready to serve. Give the mix a stir before adding 1 oz. to each glass, then top with sparkling wine and garnish.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    10 minutes

  • Yield

    Makes 4

Ingredients

1 4" piece ginger, peeled, cut into large pieces
½ cup (100 g) sugar
2 oz. Suze
Champagne or sparkling wine (for serving)
4 pieces candied ginger

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring one 4" piece ginger, peeled, cut into large pieces, ½ cup (100 g) sugar, and ½ cup water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring or swirling occasionally to dissolve sugar. Let ginger syrup cool. Remove ginger and discard.

    Step 2

    Stir 2 oz. Suze and 2 oz. ginger syrup in a measuring glass to combine. Divide among 4 flute glasses, then top off with Champagne. Drop 1 piece of candied ginger into each glass.

    Do Ahead: Syrup can be made 1 month ahead. Transfer to an airtight container; cover and chill.

TagsCocktailAlcoholBeveragesGingerHerbs & SpicesSuzeLiqueurChampagneSparkling WineWineBon Appétit

Recipe notes

Back to TopTriangle

Join the home cook community

Sign in or create account

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Ginger Snap
A low-alcohol cocktail made for the modern era, the Ginger Snap will be your go-to easy sipper all summer.
Green Apple Martini
Call it an appletini if you wish, one thing's for certain: This Jolly-Rancher-hued drink, garnished with a candy-red cherry, is as striking as it is delicious.
Before Daylight
This mezcal, blackberry, and ginger ale cocktail is the ideal juicy summer refresher. Serve in a tall glass filled with crushed ice.
BA’s Best Old-Fashioned
A classic drink that never goes out of style. Stick with these steps and you’ll nail it every time.
Siesta
Revive yourself for the night ahead with this vivid tequila, grapefruit, and Campari cocktail.
Mezcal Sour
Easy to remember and simple to make, this tart, smoky mezcal sour is a timeless drink.
Cranberry-Maple Mule
This big-batch cocktail made with ginger beer, cranberry juice, fresh lime, and a spiced maple simple syrup makes the perfect low-alcohol holiday drink.
Spa Water Punch
This minty fino sherry punch is cooling and light, served by the pitcher. Float some cucumber slices in each glass, spa-water style.