Overview

The Magic Hour is a light, lower proof Champagne cocktail.  I created it a few years ago for Clover Club’s menu when Lillet Rosé was first released, which similar to Lillet Blanc but with more of the ripe fruit and berry flavors you’d expect from a rosé wine.  Though, if you don’t have Lillet Rosé, the blanc works great in this recipe as well. 

When I was working on the drink, after a few esoteric misfires, my GM Christine Williams (now my partner) suggested I take the path of least resistance and try using sparkling wine and grapefruit juice.  Needless to say, she was right. The Magic Hour has been on the of the most popular cocktails I've ever put on Clover’s menu.  The name is a reference to a photography term for the hour or so after dawn or before dusk, when the low lying sun makes everything glow and look particularly beautiful, or magical.

This is an excellent drink to serve at parties. You can use the same methods outlined on the French 75 page.  And if you want to make it a little stiffer, go ahead and toss in half an ounce of gin (I may actually prefer it that way).