Life has been busy. Taking care of my mom, my aunt and a dear friend who had a house fire. A vacation to Montreal and Quebec. A couple of business trips. A LOT of work in the office. I'm behind. Seriously behind. So, let me without further ado introduce you to the French 75.
We first had this drink in New Orleans. And, loved it. Then, we made it at home. Meh. Fast forward to Ina Garten's new cookbook - Cooking for Jeffrey. Several drink recipes but this was the one we had all the ingredients for. This time it was a five. Just as good as New Orleans. It'll go on our short list for sure. Right up there with my beloved Boss Tweed!
French 75
makes four cocktails
Ingredients:
4 ounces VS or VSOP Cognac
4 ounces simple syrup
3 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
2 cups ice cubes
1 750 ml bottle good Champagne, chilled (we used Prosecco)
4 long strips of lemon zest
Directions:
Put the Cognac, simple syrup and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with the ice. Shake for 30 seconds. Pour into four Champagne flutes and top them off with the Champagne and lemon zest.
from Cooking for Jeffrey by Ina Garten
First, the disclaimer, we don't use champagne. We happen to like Prosecco. We find it slightly drier and more approachable than champagne. It's just a preference, and although neither one of us were big on bubbly, we have, over the past couple of years, found that sparkling wines have their place in the rotation. Adding to that, our friend, The Wine Guy, Doug Pendleton, sells this wonderful Prosecco in 187 ml bottles (6 oz), Riondo, from Spago Negro.
Last night, my brother and sister-in-law came over for dinner. We'd cleaned the house and generally scurried around, and we had a bit of time before they were due to arrive. Connie had chilled the wine for dinner. I'd marinated the pork tenderloins in Hanger One Spiced Pear Liqueur, brown sugar and Kikkoman Teriyaki Sauce. The sweet potatoes were cut and ready to be roasted. The head of cauliflower was cored, slathered with olive oil and ready to be roasted. I could actually unwind for a couple of minutes. I asked for a glassof wine or a cocktail. Connie said that a champagne cocktail might be nice because it's lighter and we have the whole night in front of us. Then I hit on it. What about some of that wonderful pomegranate liqueur, Pama mixed with the Prosecco?
Home run! This was not only delicious, but beautiful. This is going to be a regular cocktail for us.
Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail
1 1/2 oz Pama Pomegranate liqueur
3 oz Prosecco
Pour the liqueur into a flute, top it with the Prosecco, toast the one you love, and enjoy!
