Golden Chrysanthemum

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Cocktail History

The Golden Chrysanthemum is a pear-flavored brandy and sparkling wine cocktail that was created by bartender Kenta Goto of Bar Goto in New York City, New York to pay tribute to the Japanese flower. It was first included in a 2015 issue of Saveur, an online food, wine, and travel magazine. It’s made with a unique yet bitter combination of sparkling wine, pear liqueur and brandy, and lemon.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Sparkling Wine: This is the base spirit. It adds sparkling wine flavor and effervescence. We used La Marca Prosecco for its crisp, refreshing taste and floral notes. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Gruvi Non-Alcoholic Prosecco in place of the sparkling wine.

Pear Liqueur: This is a fruit liqueur that adds pear flavor. We used Mathilde Poire Liqueur because it offers rich flavor and is a high quality liqueur. For a low-proof version of this drink, try pear syrup in place of the pear liqueur.

Suze: This is a French apéritif made from gentian root. It adds a unique bitter flavor.

Pear Brandy: This is spirit made from Bartlett pears and sparkling wine yeast. We used St. George Pear Brandy for its crisp pear flavor and notes of black pepper. For a low-proof version of this drink, try Escape Mocktails Non-Alcoholic Cognac Alternative in place of the brandy.

Lemon Twist: This is the garnish. It adds a hint of citrus aroma.

Tasting Notes

The Golden Chrysanthemum features lemon and herbal aromas and a mostly herbaceous taste that combines the effervescence and slight sweetness of sparkling wine, the pleasant flavors of sweet pear, and the herbal and bitter Suze.

Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: While the drink is overall fairly sweet, the backing of the bitter yellow liqueur adds a unique complexity that takes this a step further than your typical sparkling wine cocktail. Though Kendall felt the addition of the Suze was still much too bitter despite the balance of sweet ingredients, Alex loved this recipe! Its unique flavors and aromas set the Golden Chrysanthemum so far apart from any other sparkling cocktails we’ve tried.

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Alex’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“While I find most sparkling wine cocktails to taste more or less the same, this drink is one of the outliers. Thanks to the herbal bitter Suze, this one tastes like its accenting flavors rather than just the sparkling wine. The pear liqueur also adds a fruity sweetness to balance out the deep bitterness, making for a well-balanced cocktail with an effervescent twist that I found went down fairly easily but not too quickly.”

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Kendall’s Take: ⭐
“I really thought we had come across a Suze cocktail I would enjoy when I added this one to our calendar, but alas, I still couldn’t drink more than a sip of the Golden Chrysanthemum because the Suze was so aggressive. I expected the sparkling wine to temper the bitter liqueur a lot more than it did, but its presence was still too prominent for my liking. It was interesting but ultimately a ‘no’ for me.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was adapted from a 2015 issue of Saveur magazine.

AuthorSaveur Magazine

Make It a Mocktail: Use Gruvi Non-Alcoholic Prosecco in place of the sparkling wine, pear syrup in place of the pear liqueur, and Escape Mocktails Non-Alcoholic Cognac Alternative in place of the brandy to try a booze-free version of this drink.

Tools & Glassware We Recommend

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Tall walls make it a great spill-proof alternative to a Martini or champagne coupe glasses

Godinger Gin Cocktail Coupe Goblet Glass – Dublin Collection, Set of 4

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HISTORY COMPANY The Bacall Collection Ciro’s of Hollywood Coupette Cocktail Glass 2-Piece Set (Gift Box)

$64.00

Sale

Godinger Barware Drinkware Mixology Set – Gin Glasses, Collins Tall Glasses, Bar Cups and Champagne Coupes – 8 pieces

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A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set – Bar Accessories for The Home Bar Set – Bartender Kit w/ Boston Shaker, Jigger, Muddler, Spoon, Strainers & Picks – Bartending Set

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A Bar Above Gold Cocktail Shaker Set – 4-Piece Gold Bartender Kit for Business or Home Bar – Includes Hawthorne Strainer & Japanese Jigger – Professional Bar Accessories for The Home Bar Set

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A Bar Above Bar Jigger – Finished Japanese Jigger with Measurements Inside – Cocktail Measuring Jigger – Steel Measuring Tool for Bartenders – Jigger 2 oz 1 oz – Jiggers and Pourers

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OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Peeler Set – Swivel and Julienne

Sharp, durable, Japanese stainless steel blades won’t rust; Straight Peeler all-purpose design for effortless prep

$16.95

More Sparkling Wine Cocktails

If you like this sparkling wine cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:

Nucleus Mimosa: A sparkling wine cocktail made with orange juice, cranberry juice, and a lime slice

Pomegranate Gin Fizz: A gin cocktail made with grenadine, sparkling wine, pomegranate seeds, and a Demerara sugar cube

Mountaintop Meadow: A vodka cocktail made with elderflower liqueur, simple syrup, lavender bitters, dry sparkling wine, a pineapple wedge, and mint

Minute To Midnight: A brandy cocktail made with pear liqueur, Angostura aromatic bitters, dry sparkling wine, and a lemon twist

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