Drinkin' on the Job: A bubbly start to the New Year!
As we celebrate the beginning of a new year … we're here to help you kick it off right! While we know it is wise to take this chance at a fresh start to focus on health and well-being … sometimes our “well-being” is helped along by a bit of “the juice.”
We thought it might be fun to let you in on some effervescent ways to celebrate the start of 2024 (then you can start your stint as a teetotaler … at least for a minute or two)
We all know about the French 75 and the classic champagne cocktail, but why not make this year’s celebration a bit more exciting with these bubbly creations?
Spressatura Royale
Mixologist Joaquin Simo says “sprezzatura refers to the stylishly disheveled look perfected by Italian men … the artfully askew collar, mismatched socks - all done with that devil-may-care attitude.” Who wouldn’t want to sip on that type of casually elegant drink?! Combine 1 oz Amaro (we told you to get this last month, so it should be in your bar!), ½ oz cognac, ½ oz honey syrup (2t. honey dissolved in 1t warm water), ½ oz fresh lemon juice, ice and 2 oz sparkling rosé. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice combine Amaro, cognac, syrup and lemon juice. Shake well. Strain into champagne flute and top with sparkling rosé. Salute!
Paris Between the Wars
This beverage combines the smokiness of scotch, the bitterness of Campari and crispness from the bubbly to create a refreshing, tongue-tingler of a cocktail. The Francophile and brown-liquor lover in us couldn’t resist this! To serve yourself and one lucky friend, you’ll need 2 oz Campari, 2 oz Scotch, 2T fresh lemon juice, 2T simple syrup, ice cubes, 2 oz dry sparkling wine (like brut Cava) and a lemon peel. Combine all but sparkling wine in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously until chilled. Pour into a beautiful cocktail glass, top with sparkling wine and garnish with lemon peel. Santé!
Death in the Afternoon
Ernest Hemingway was quite the cocktail aficionado. One of his favorites was “Death in the Afternoon” … a tribute to his passion for Absinthe! The recipe is simple. As Ernest says “Pour one jigger absinthe into a Champagne glass. Add iced Champagne until it attains the proper opalescent milkiness. Drink three to five of these slowly.” This is a good way to test the absinthe waters! Maybe start with one of these at brunch or perhaps as you immerse yourself in “A Moveable Feast,” or “For Whom the Bell Tolls.” Olé!
Black Velvet
Quite possibly the first-ever beer cocktail, the Black Velvet was served while the English were in mourning for Price Albert. You’ll find this interesting coupling of high class and working class creates the perfect marriage, mirroring Albert and Victoria’s trail-blazing partnership. It’s a silky and effervescent delight that is sure to delight the senses. Simply pour 4 oz champagne into a flute and top slowly with 4 oz of stout (like Guinness). Serve and enjoy. Cheers!
Happy 2024!
We want to take a minute to wish you all a safe, happy, healthy new year!! We have lots of fun cocktailin’ excursions planned for 2024, so stay tuned!