Raspberry Cocktail Recipe

Whenever summer comes around, I am always thinking up new cocktail recipes to try out at our next barbecue. There are always wonderful fruits and berries available then and they make really great cocktails.
This recipe was given to me by a hostess who always comes up with really great cocktails. It has raspberries in it but you could easily substiture strawberries if you prefer. It is alcoholic so not suitable for the littlies.

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup water
14 cup sugar
1/2 cup frozen or fresh raspberries
2 tablespoons orange liqueur
750ml bottle of chilled sparkling white wine
fresh orange rind and extra raspberries to decorate

METHOD:
Combine water and sugar in a saucpan. Stir over a low heat until sugar is dissolved. Bring to the boil then add the raspberries. Return to boil then once it has just boiled remove from the stove. Let the mixture cool slightly.
Using a hand held blender, blend the mixture until smooth. Strain the liquid through a fine sieve to remove seeds. Add liqueur and stir through.
Cover and refrigerate until well chilled.
To serve, place 1 tablespoon of the mixture into flutes and slowly top up with the sparkling wine.
Decorate with orange rind and the extra raspberries.