Hump Day Happy Hour

Eat Pray Love, the movie based on Elizabeth Gilbert's best-selling book, opens in theaters this Friday and we're excited for the killer cast of Julia Roberts, James Franco, Billy Crudup and Javier Bardem to bring this round-the-world story to life. We're equally excited to try the cocktail Chef Rob Newton, of New York resturant Seersucker, designed for the occasion: “The Gilbert,” a sweet, summery, sparkling cocktail that may just inspire you to head out on your own quest.

The bar that drink-designer Newton owns is located a stone's throw from one of the EPL movie sets — and it seems some of the star-power rubbed off on his award-worthy concoction. We say: Eat a good meal, and pray for the perfect cocktail to go with it … because you'll love this one. (Heh, heh.)

“The Gilbert”

Ingredients:

6 oz. Gruet Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine

1 tablespoon sugared raspberries

Directions:

Make the sugared raspberries 48 hours in advance. Combine an equal amount of clean, fresh raspberries and sugar. Mash well with a fork until completely smooth. Don't use a blender. You want the seeds to remain intact. Refrigerate in a glass container.

When two days have passed, put the sugared raspberries in the bottom of a champagne flute. Pour in the sparkling wine slowly, a third at a time so it doesn't bubble over. Stir well. Serve.

Rob Newton is the owner and head chef at Seersucker, a Southern-inspired restaurant located in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.