How is Muscat wine used in cocktails and desserts?

How is Muscat used in cocktails and desserts?

The examples below come from a Rutherglen (Australia) wine region guide and use Rutherglen Muscat, a sweet fortified wine. A light, sparkling Moscato is a different, much lighter drink, so do not swap them one for one.

Dessert

• Muscat affogato: quality vanilla ice cream topped with 30 ml of Rare Muscat (20+ years) and 30 ml of espresso.

Cocktails and long drinks

• Muscat Modern: 30 ml Muscat (6 to 10 years), 30 ml gin, pineapple juice and lime over large ice.
• Muscat Cooler: 30 ml Muscat (3 to 5 years), lime and tonic water over ice.
• Muscat Espresso Martini: 30 ml Muscat (11 to 19 years), 30 ml espresso and 30 ml Kahlua, with ice.
• Muscat Sangria: 60 ml Muscat (3 to 5 years) with a 750 ml bottle of Rutherglen Shiraz, sliced orange, berries and apple, and cinnamon sticks, as a jug.
• Muscat Fruit Cup: 60 ml Muscat (6 to 10 years) with 750 ml dry ginger ale, sliced lemon, berries, orange and mint, as a jug.
• Muscat Spritzer: Muscat with a splash of soda water and a thin slice of orange.

Tips

• The guide matches the age of the Muscat to the drink: younger for the cooler and sangria, older for the espresso martini and the affogato. Check the producer’s labels.
• Start with the simplest drink (Muscat, tonic, lime) to judge sweetness before building complex ones.
• Sweet fortified Muscat is strong, so pour small measures.

Common mistake

Using a dry white or a sparkling Moscato when a recipe wants a fortified Muscat. Quantities above are the guide’s examples, not a standard. Drink responsibly.