{friday cocktail: sparkling negroni}

I cannot believe that it has taken me this long to mix together one of my favorite cocktails, the classic negroni, with a topping of champagne!  After noticing a champagne cocktail using Campari at a local wine bar in our neighborhood, I knew the next chance I had to mix up a negroni I would be trying it as a sparkling version.  The negroni cocktail can turn some people off because of its very distinct strong taste and bitter flavor from the Campari, but a few ounces of champagne on top definitely cuts the taste a bit for those who might prefer it.  It's the perfect cocktail for cozying up on a fall evening (or if you live in California you can turn the AC up and pretend it's less than 80 degrees out!)

Oh and PS- that awesome needlepoint coaster pictured above is from this set!

Cheers!

{friday cocktail: campari spritz}

With all the negronis we make around here, it is not as if we are hurting to get through a bottle of Campari, but the bitter taste of the spirit has really grown on me so I have been searching for other fun drinks to use it in.  A girlfriend of my mine orders Campari spritzes from time to time which inspired me to try one out especially since it seems perfect for the summer heat.  This recipe is a total classic and extremely simple to prep not to mention it includes sparkling wine (whats not to like?!?!).   This drink definitely showcases the unique flavor of Campari, but the refreshing sparkle from the club soda and prosecco make it a perfect poolside drink.

Cheers!

{friday cocktail: trouble in paradise}

Lately I have been seeing a lot of great cocktail bars make more use of tinctures in the place of bitters for their recipes.  Even though tinctures sound complicated and fancy they are actually quite easy to make. You simply infuse the flavor you wish to have a tincture of by soaking it in a high proof alcohol- for example a basil tincture is just a healthy handful of fresh basil leaves soaked in everclear overnight and then strained into an eyedropper container.   See more about tinctures here.

Since I love spicy cocktails, I was particularly intrigued by this cocktail from Tosca Cafe in San Francisco which includes a black pepper tincture along with my new favorite cocktail ingredient, Campari. This recipe is one of the select few that both appeal to my love for citrus-y and sweet cocktails as well as Chris' preference for more bitter bourbon or whiskey based drinks.

Cheers!

{friday cocktail: a trio of sugar rimmed recipes}

At first when Fresh Origins offered to send me over a pack of their crystal cocktail rimmers I didn't exactly jump at the idea since sugared glasses remind me of bad cocktail bars, but then when I took closer look at the intriguing flavor line-up they have I couldn't resist!  I enjoy the chance to add flavor elements to otherwise simple cocktails through the use of bitters and I figured these herbal/floral sugar crystals in flavors like fennel and cilantro could serve a similar purpose.  

For this Friday's cocktail post, I whipped up three different drinks using the rose petal, fennel and basil crystals.  Of course I love how all of these turned out, but the refreshing Garden Tonic using the basil crystals was by far my favorite.  You could easily substitute champagne in the place of the tonic for this one if you wanna get a bit more fancy with it.

Cheers!