2 Cocktails for Spring

Typically I like to release a cocktail recipe post on a Friday as a way to kick off the start of the weekend.   In light of the fact that today is Tax Day, I am mixing things up and sharing my two favorite cocktail recipes for Spring.  Lets face it, on Tax Day a cocktail post seems very appropriate.  

These are two very easy cocktail recipes that I have been loving this season.  I am in no way reinventing the wheel, but have certainly added my own creative touches with both presentation and a few ingredient modifications.

Classic Champagne Cocktail

This is an easy recipe and a great way to enhance your standard glass of champagne.  The sugar cube does not make the cocktail sweet, but rather balances out the bitters.  In addition to loving this cocktail, I have also become a huge fan of the champagne coupe this spring.  Coupes are elegant, unique and do not have to be expensive (mine were on sale for less than $6/glass at the time of purchase).  Here is a link to a set of 4 coupes for under $20!

  • 1 Sugar Cube
  • Angostura Bitters
  • Champagne or Sparkling Wine
  • Twist of Lemon Peel and/or Edible Flower to Garnish

Instructions:  

  1. Place one sugar cube in a champagne glass.
  2. Saturate the sugar cube with Bitters
  3. Fill Glass with Champagne or Sparkling Wine
  4. Garnish with an edible flower and/or a twist of lemon peel

Springtime Greyhound

This is a refreshing cocktail that I have loved for a while.  The classic Greyhound recipe is extremely simple (see here).  Over the years, I have found ways to enhance this cocktail so that it still kept its original flavors, but now has a bit more punch.  To make this a "springtime cocktail," it's important to use a pink grapefruit juice and ruby red fresh grapefruit slices (along with an edible flower) to garnish.  Beyond the cocktail ingredients, I would recommend serving this cocktail with a pretty cocktail napkin (currently I am loving these Monkey Business Cocktail Napkins by Caspari).  

  • 1 part Citroen Vodka
  • 2 parts Grapefruit Juice (High Quality)
  • 1 part Perrier or sparkling water equivalent
  • 1 Fresh Squeezed Lemon Wedge
  • 1 Slice of Fresh Ruby Red Grapefruit and/or Edible Flower to Garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a double old fashioned glass, combine ingredients over ice
  2. Garnish with a slice of fresh ruby red grapefruit and/or edible flower

Cheers to Springtime! (and Tax Day!)

Valentine's Day Cocktail Party for Two - Dessert & Champagne Bar

Part two of this Valentine's Cocktail Party for Two might be the most essential part of this evening-- Dessert and Champagne!  I didn't want to go wild with the food and have my husband rolling out of the room at the end of the night, but there was no way that I was going to host a romantic Valentine's evening without a few chocolates and glasses of bubbly.  

I also want to point out that this evening works really well if you are single and want to host a Valentine's themed party for a group of your single friends.  The only adjustments I would make would be to add more cheese, appetizer plates and champagne (depending on your total number of guests).  This day is about being with those closest to you and having fun, so if that means friends, great!  

Desserts:

If there is one thing my husband LOVES, it's a "sweet treat" or two.  Still worried about overloading my husband with food, I wanted to have a modest dessert selection.  I decided to select little bites that kept in line with the Valentine's/Romantic theme and didn't require a ton of prep work.  The results were both delicious and festive. 

Champagne Bar:

I love serving champagne with all of the "fixings."  There is something about the ability to customize your own glass of champagne that really makes it unique, festive and extra delicious.  For this spread, I included  blackberries, raspberries and fresh red currants.  Other tasty additions could be pomegranate seeds and champagne cocktail ingredients (sugar cube + bitters).  

Table Decor & Other Accessories:

The concept I wanted to stick with when designing this table was simple, chic, festive and functional.  I kept the color scheme to red, gold, black and white, and brought over only one piece of patterned tableware from the cocktail table (my Scalamandre Cocktail Napkins).  This way I could create both a cohesive and romantic aesthetic without going overboard on the decor.   

As is my goal with every post, I want you to feel both inspired and empowered to recreate these concepts I'm sharing in your own home.  Whether you choose to have a romantic cheesescape for two or a Valentine's Dessert & Champagne party with your friends, I hope this post has given you a new perspective on how to celebrate this holiday.