These "Issa" Cocktails Will Have You Feeling Everything But 'Insecure'
If you’re a fan of the HBO hit show Insecure, then by now you know that Issa Dee (played by Issa Rae) loves her a delicious glass of Prosecco topped with Jameson. In Season 4, Episode 8, however, she informs ex-boyfriend Lawrence (played by Jay Ellis) that she has “leveled up” her tastes and now prefers Prosecco topped with vodka.
COURTESY OF HBO
Now, y’all know I love wine so OF COURSE, I had to test whether whiskey or vodka made for the better top off on this beloved Italian sparkling wine.
Before I get to the taste test, let me give y’all the tea on Prosecco.
Mionetto Prosecco Brut, Treviso DOC
For starters, Prosecco is a sparkling wine from Veneto, Italy whose base grape is GLERA. It is made using the Tank Method - a method specifically used for sparkling wines - which means the grape juice goes through two fermentations. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is created during the second fermentation, making bubbles that are trapped within the wine to make it sparkling. After the second fermentation and contact with lees (a factor that gives the wine its toasty, bready flavor), the wine is then filtered and bottled to preserve the bubbles.
Prosecco has three different styles - Brut, Extra Dry, and Dry - with sweetness increasing at each level. Common notes found on Prosecco include green apple, honeydew melon, and honeysuckle. A common accompaniment to dry Prosecco is ST. GERMAIN - which is an elderflower liquor. It provides a hint of sweetness to cut the often tart quality of Prosecco. Now, keep in mind that I have never tasted these combinations together - only made assumptions- so I have no idea how they will taste together. Also, you won’t need A LOT of the spirit - you’re only topping off the Prosecco, so proceed with caution.
HYPOTHESIS: Being a lover of whiskey, I believe that Prosecco will taste better with whiskey because it will bring out the true flavors of the rye. However, Vodka has the tendency to sneak up on you, so it could also cut the sweetness of the Prosecco.
Alright, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, time to taste test!
First up, PROSECCO AND VODKA.
Here’s my recipe for this cocktail:
0.5 OZ Tito’s Vodka
A twist of lime
TASTING NOTES: I added a twist of lime for citric brightness. Prosecco has the tendency to be sweet (this one isn’t incredibly sweet) and some Vodka can be very harsh. The two together could honestly cancel each other out, so the lime is present to add a burst of freshness. Upon first taste, I do taste a lot the Tito’s, but it absolutely does nothing to uplift the Prosecco. If you’re trying to drink to forget, I would probably suggest this version of the cocktail because the Vodka is going to eventually sneak up on you and take you OUT. You’ve been warned, friend.
Next, PROSECCO AND WHISKEY.
Here’s my recipe for this cocktail:
A twist of orange
TASTING NOTES: Let me start off by saying that I LOVE WHISKEY and I’m hoping for the best with this combination. Again, I added the twist of orange for citric brightness. Upon first taste, I AM IN LOVE! It’s almost as if Prosecco and Whiskey were meant for each other. Not only do you get to fully experience the flavor of the whiskey, but you get the subtle bubbles from the Prosecco and it comes together harmoniously. The twist of orange adds a burst of brightness (almost like a French 75), and the combination gives a round mouthfeel. You wanna talk about ‘demon time’? This is the cocktail will have you texting your ex and starting an OnlyFans for sure.
