I stumbled upon this recipe one day when setting up a champagne cocktail bar. I knew I wanted to include one of my favorites, the French 75. I had some fresh raspberries, so I decided to do a simple Chambord and Champagne. To create a “bar”, though, I felt I needed three drinks. So off to the internet I went.

A quick search returned the classic champagne cocktail. It was easy enough. Just a few ingredients, sugar cube, bitters, brandy (and of course, champagne). But how would it taste? (more…)

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Dairy free, Drink Time, Gluten free, Vegetarian by Courtney

Earlier this week I suggested the perfect drink to go with the Grilled Chicken Wings was a Manhattan. It’s not often that I suggest a cocktail pair with food, as I generally prefer my cocktails to be a before- or after-dinner drink. However, the first time I made the chicken wings, I happened to be drinking a Manhattan, and this yummy pairing was born.

Brown drinks aren’t my typical summer sippers, but when I made a batch of brandied cherries a while back, I started searching for cocktails to use them in. I didn’t have to look far, because once I had this drink, I was hooked. My cherries disappeared in no time. (more…)

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Dairy free, Drink Time, Vegetarian by Courtney

Recipes, or deviations from, must be the theme this week. Earlier this week I posted about a pimento cheese that started off from a friend’s recipe, but rapidly developed into its own. Now there’s this French 75, which I first saw in The Art of Bar, never made, finally got around to making, and decided I liked it a different way better.

Wait, what? Yes, that was a bit confusing. Let’s start from the beginning. When the hubby and I got married, we registered for this cocktail book, and some lovely family friends bought it for us. Whilst flipping through it, I came across a recipe for a French 75, which I’d never heard of before. It called for brandied cherries, which needed to be made separately, so I never got around to making it. (more…)

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Dairy free, Drink Time, Gluten free, Vegetarian by Courtney

With peach season in full swing, I decided it was time to make a favorite of mine (and really, when a sparkler is added, when is it not a favorite?), the bellini. As I’m sure you already know, the bellini was invented at Harry’s Bar in Venice. It’s a blend of white peach puree and prosecco, two sweet items. While I think it is a grand marriage of two yummy things, I always like adding a bit of liquor to any of my champagne/fruit juice cocktails. It cuts down a bit on the sweetness, which is perfect for me. As you can imagine, this caused tremendous confusion at Harry’s, me toying with their decades-old drink. (more…)

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Brunch, Dairy free, Drink Time, Gluten free, Italian, Vegan, Vegetarian, World traveller by Courtney

This morning I have a little hair of the dog for your morning brunch. It’s no secret champagne is one of my favorite drinks, but when it comes to brunch, once I had a Mr. Funk mimosas were over for me. The Mr. Funk of New Orleans is a champagne cocktail from Brennan’s (also of New Orleans). My first visit there, I had this with my brunch, and I was hooked not only on Brennan’s, but the cocktail with the funk-y name.

The Mr. Funk is simple to make – it’s a blend of champagne, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice. Mix one up for yourself and ring in the new year right! (more…)

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Brunch, Dairy free, Drink Time, Gluten free, Vegan, Vegetarian by Courtney