The Chef
Kimberly Scarpone of Daniel

Servings
One cocktail

Ingredients
1 sugar cube
2 teaspoons Clear Creek eau-de-vie de pomme or similar apple brandy (available at Union Square Wines, 33 Union Square West)
1/2 ounce cranberry juice
4 ounces Daniel Cuvée or other brut champagne
Garnish: 1 thin slice Granny Smith apple

Instructions
Drop a sugar cube into a flute. Add the eau-de-vie de pomme and the cranberry juice. Slowly add the champagne (it will foam up) and stir gently, trying not to disturb the sugar cube. Set the apple slice on the inner rim of the flute, two thirds submerged, to soak up the flavor.

Photograph by Richard Pierce