Apricot Bellinis

Prep: 15 min. You can use 12 fresh apricots, halved, in place of the canned ones. They're in season in June.

Yield: Makes 8 servings (serving size: 1 cup)

Ingredients

• 2  (15-ounce) cans apricot halves, drained
• 2  (11.5-ounce) cans apricot nectar
• 1/2  cup  sugar
• Crushed ice
• 1  (750-milliliter) bottle sparkling wine or Champagne, chilled*
• Garnish: fresh mint sprigs

Preparation

Process half each of first 3 ingredients in a blender until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Repeat with remaining apricot halves, nectar, and sugar. Serve over crushed ice with sparkling wine. Garnish, if desired.

*2 (12-ounce) cans ginger ale or lemon-lime soda may be substituted.

Note: You can stir together the apricot mixture and the sparkling wine in a pitcher. Be sure and do this just before serving.