Champagne

Cranberry and Croissant Bread Pudding with Champagne Zabaglione Sauce

My grandparents are from all over; I’m a mixture of German, Scandinavian , English and Irish. So would someone please tell me why I love all things Italian? My theory is that a female in the family made a clandestine visit to Italy once, came home after a fling with a handsome Italian man and [...]

Read the full article →

Bacon and Caramelized Onion Tart and the Best of 2011

Hello and goodbye. That time of year when we look at the past 12 months and search for accomplishments and meaning and face toward the new year with both anticipation and maybe some trepidation. Did we accomplish all we wanted to; did we grow, provide, serve enough? Will we make changes to how we manage [...]

Read the full article →

French 75 – An Elegant Champagne Cocktail for New Years Eve

I wanted something a bit unique for New Years; something more than ‘just’ a glass of Champagne but not what has become my standard of adding Champagne to a liqueur either. I’ve done that a lot over this holiday season with the Cranberry liqueur I made. I love it but it was time for something [...]

Read the full article →

Warm Honeyed Brie with Raspberries and Almonds

I’ve participated with Steven Gilberg and @WineTwits before when I’ve hosted combination wine tastings and tweetups that serve to get the word out about different wines; either by region or type. When I was asked to serve as a host for a ‘food’ event, how could I say no? I invited friends; made sure they [...]

Read the full article →

How to Make Cranberry Liqueur and the Perfect Champagne Cocktail for the Holidays

This is one of my favorite things to make over the holidays yet because I put it on my blog a couple of years ago, it has for the most part languished in the nether world of being there but no one knowing it. As I work to finish the batch for this year along [...]

Read the full article →

The Strawberry Muddle

Strawberry Muddle - sweetened sparkling wine with strawberries and lemon

This drink was featured in the July ’09 issue of Bon Appetit magazine. I had just received the magazine and was having friends over for a cocktail and luckily had the fruit on hand and some of my favorite sparkling wine chilling in the fridge. One of the mainstays of my summer bar is Cristalano [...]

Read the full article →

Happy New Year and our Most Popular Posts of 2010!

The last day of the year, 2010. It’s been one heck of a year. For me, too much of it spent rehabilitating from the most serious injury I’ve ever had but thankful that it’s getting better, that my family is healthy and that I’ve been able to stay in touch with the ‘outside’ world through [...]

Read the full article →

Cranberry Champagne Cocktail

2 well-chilled 750ML bottles champagne or sparkling cider 1 cup well-chilled cranberry juice cocktail, or to taste 3 tablespoons Grand Marnier In a large pitcher, combine all ingredients; serve in champagne flutes. Makes 7 cups, serving approx 8

Read the full article →

Cranberry Mimosa

I love serving this variation on the standard Mimosa over the holidays. The addition of cranberry juice adds to creating a festive look and flavor and it’s perfect for brunch or with early appetizers.

Read the full article →