The Finish Line

26.2 miles of grit, one glorious sip of triumph.

This cocktail mirrors the full arc of a marathon — the electric anticipation at the start, the grueling burn through the middle miles, and the euphoric, emotional collapse across the finish line. Tart cherry and citrus electrolytes echo the runner's fuel, a slow honey swirl rewards the patience of the long haul, and a prosecco crown delivers that chest-heaving, arms-raised burst of pure victory. It's earned. Every drop.

Ingredients

• 2 oz tart cherry juice
• 1 oz vodka (or omit for mocktail)
• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
• ½ oz fresh orange juice
• ½ oz raw honey syrup (1:1 honey and warm water)
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• Pinch of fine sea salt
• 2 oz chilled Prosecco (to top)
• Ice

Instructions

1. Rim half of a tall Collins glass with flaky sea salt by running a lemon wedge along the edge and dipping into a small plate of salt — this nods to the electrolytes every marathoner craves.
2. Fill the glass with ice and set it aside to chill while you build the cocktail.
3. In a cocktail shaker, combine the tart cherry juice, vodka, lemon juice, orange juice, honey syrup, orange bitters, and a small pinch of fine sea salt.
4. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds — put some miles into it.
5. Strain the mixture into the prepared Collins glass over fresh ice.
6. Slowly top with the chilled Prosecco, pouring over the back of a bar spoon to create a celebratory effervescent crown.
7. Garnish with a dehydrated orange wheel and the miniature ribbon 'finish line' resting across the top of the glass.
8. Raise it high. You earned this.