Aperol Spritz

My favorite Aperol drink is the Aperol Spritz. I think this drink is becoming more popular, I see it on more and more brunch menus. If you see it you should definitely try it. It is very light and refreshing without being too sweet. A little bitter, a little citrus and quite bubbly.

Classic Champagne Cocktail

I remember years ago watching An Affair to Remember. Deborah Kerr orders a champagne cocktail with pink champagne (*swoon*). It sounded so pretty and romantic, just like the movie. This is a great cocktail to serve on New Years Eve to add a bit of glamour without much fuss.

Mimosa | Three Ways

I recently treated myself to an Exotic Bitters Mini Set from Scrappy’s Bitters. I was on the hunt for a good lavender bitters and I was not disappointed. Along with lavender, the set also included cardamom, grapefruit and chocolate bitters. Grapefruit is the easiest to incorporate and I had plans for that lavender and chocolate… but what to make with cardamom?

French 75

Something I had never had before was Cognac. I've had Brandy in other drinks, like this

Mulled Wine. I knew nothing about it and still know very little. From what I read, Cognac is to Bourbon as Brandy is to Whiskey. All Cognacs are Brandy, but not all Brandys are Cognacs. Follow? Cognac is a name that is protected like Champagne, Bourbon*, Scotch** and many other foods (cheese is a big one) that get their name from a specific region. All other products produced to be the same but not from that special region have to have a different name. Champagne/sparkling wine for example. Another thing I had to decipher is what the VSOP and VS etc. meant! VSOP stands for Very Superior Old Pale or you may hear Very Special Old Pale; it is aged a minimum of four years. VS is a shortened version, just Very Superior or Very Special. XO stands for Extra Old and is aged a minimum of six years. While I have learned these meanings, I haven't tasted each one or spent time on deciphering which I like/which is good. Who knows if I ever will, Brandy and Cognac can get into the hundreds of dollars.

Ruby Mimosa

Remember here when I said I always have grapefruit juice and soda water on hand? Aside from mixing the two (half-and-half) for a refreshing non-alcoholic cocktail, I like to make a mimosa with grapefruit juice instead of orange juice.

Like your drinks dry? You'll likely enjoy the top recipe more than a traditional mimosa! Like super sweet drinks but want to try this? You'll want to make the second version on this menu!