Valentine's Day Champagne Cocktails

February 10, 2016 Callie Cagney

I absolutely love all of the planning leading up to Valentine's Day. Whether it's baking, decorating, shopping for a gift to get my husband and then of course enjoying a romantic dinner for two. I mean honestly, what's not to love about this holiday!?! Even if you are spending the holiday with friends, it's a great opportunity to incorporate a little festive entertaining into your evening plans.

I know I have said this before, but it's really true…Champagne is an absolute essential for my Valentine's Day festivities. Last year I set up a really cute/romantic Dessert and Champagne Bar, which was fabulous. However, this year I have decided to make my Valentine's Day champagne mobile (thanks to the recent addition of my bar cart). Yes, this year I am going to be serving champagne cocktails fireside (well actually just in my living room, but fireside would be picturesque if we had one). My husband and I are both big fans of making champagne cocktails, so I have set out all necessary cocktail accoutrements along with a few holiday treats on my very "decked out" bar cart. Here is how I went about creating this very festive and delicious setting:

Bar Cart Details

While I am really looking forward to enjoying this delicious looking bar cart of treats with my husband on Sunday, I am equally (if not more) excited to share Friday's post with you all. One last Valentine's post is coming to Redefining Domestics on Friday, and I must say that it is probably the sweetest yet, so stay tuned!

Learn about the Art of Cocktail Making with these 3 Books

January 18, 2016 Callie Cagney

I have been having the best time styling and re-styling my new bar cart! Who ever thought that a Christmas present could bring an adult the same type of joy and excitement a child expresses when they receive a new toy!?! While decorating this bar cart continues to be super fun, I have realized that when it comes to making an actual cocktail, I am but a novice. Now it's one thing to have a well decorated bar cart, but if you don't know how to properly use the tools you take so much pride in displaying, then what the heck is that?!?

Over the weekend, I visited my local Barnes and Noble (I still really enjoy going to bookstores) to see what literature was available with respect to cocktail crafting. After some extensive research, I have put together a list of the three books I have found to be the most helpful/informative for anyone looking to better understand the world of cocktail crafting.

Shake: A New Perspective on Cocktails, by: Eric Prum & Josh Williams

Eric Prum and Josh Williams have made the art of cocktail making extremely user friendly with the creation of their book, Shake. From the simple yet beautiful visuals, to the easy to follow recipes, this book couldn't be a better starting point for getting your feet wet when it comes to learning how to craft a delicious cocktail. Their recipe for "A Mid-Winter Marg." is already on my menu for Super Bowl Sunday and their section on Cocktail Crafting 101 has been extremely helpful to reference while I have been working to put together a properly stocked bar and bar cart. For those of you looking for a high level overview of cocktail crafting and some delicious recipes, this book is for you!

The Craft Cocktail Party: Delicious Drinks for Every Occasion, by: Julie Reiner

I love this book not only because it contains cocktail recipes for every season, but also because the author, Julie Reiner, breaks down the basic formula for making a delicious cocktail. In addition, she shares various tips and tricks for how incorporate an array of cocktail making techniques into your drink recipe and use what you have on hand to create a flavorful beverage. If that weren't enough, I am totally in love with her cocktail presentations and I find her array of garnishes to be inspirational. Julie Reiner shares so many great ideas for how to create and serve a show-stopping cocktail for any occasion, which is why this book has quickly become a favorite of mine.

The Curious Bartender: The Artistry & Alchemy of Creating the Perfect Cocktail, by: Tristan Stephenson

I would have to say that of the three books selected for this post, this one speaks to my learning style the most. I am inquisitive by nature and love to learn as much as I can when diving into a new subject, so this book couldn't be more perfect for me. The Curious Bartender includes a history of every spirit, recipes for making delicious cocktails, a breakdown of how to stock your bar, lessons on various cocktail crafting techniques and a resource page detailing where to purchase all of those bar/bar cart accessories (like here). This book is a wealth of knowledge, a go-to reference for me and a fabulous addition to my bar cart!

Hibiscus Margaritas

May 15, 2015 Callie Cagney

I am so excited to bring you today's post! As you may recall from my Date Night article last week, I talked about the fabulous cooking class my husband and I had taken at CulinAerie. We had enjoyed the most delicious Hibiscus Margaritas during the class, but at the time I wasn't able to obtain a copy of the recipe, so I shared a link with you all to a similar hibiscus margarita recipe. In a joyous twist of fate, the chef from our cooking class, Eliza Gonzalez, ended up reading the post and sending me the Hibiscus Margarita recipe!

Ingredients

1/4 cup Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
3 cups of strongly brewed hibiscus tea (recipe below)
1/2-1 1/2 cups of Granulated Sugar (to taste)
1-1 1/2 cups Tequila Blanco
Slices of Lime and/or Key Limes to garnish

How to make hibiscus tea: Rinse ½ cup of hibiscus blossoms (about 1 ounce) and put in a saucepan with 3 cups water. Bring to a simmer and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain and let cool down completely. Add ½ cup sugar and stir until dissolved. Serve chilled or use as a base for margaritas. You can make this one day ahead.

Where to find hibiscus blossoms: Blossoms are sold dry. You can find them in Latin stores or at some organic markets in their bulk or loose tea /spice aisles. Hibiscus blossoms are also sold on Amazon.com.

Instructions

In a large pitcher, combine lime juice, hibiscus tea and sugar until sugar is completely dissolved.
Then add the tequila blanco to the mixture and set pitcher aside
Rim glasses with margarita salt (I really like this lime infused salt) and then fill serving glasses with ice
Pour margarita mixture into each glass and garnish with slices of lime and/or key lime.

These margaritas are the perfect late spring/summer cocktail to serve at your next gathering because they are easy to make, refreshing and so delicious! I also love that this recipe allows you to tailor the ingredients to your own preferences (ex. I prefer cocktails with less sugar and lots of citrus), and regardless of the modification the recipe still turns out perfectly. I am planning on serving these fabulous margaritas tonight with Eliza's recipe for Shrimp Tostados. I honestly couldn't think of a better way to celebrate TGIF, than with this delicious cocktail/nibble combination. Cheers to TGIF everyone!

Many thanks to Eliza, for allowing me to share her Hibiscus Margarita recipe today!

Valentine's Day Cocktail Party for Two

February 9, 2015 Callie Cagney

Valentine's Day is less than a week away and like previous years, I was having trouble thinking of what to do for my husband. I have heard people say that this is a holiday for women, but that just seems like a poor excuse to get out of having to do something for your significant other to show them how much they mean to you. Yes, you should show your love and appreciation for your partner every day, but its nice to have this holiday to really go all out with a nice and romantic gesture.

Brainstorming what to do for my husband….well immediately I knew what I didn't want to do--anything super traditional. I am not a big fan of overloading on the hearts/cupid decor. I can understand a touch of hearts decor, but after this holiday is over, when else are you going to be able to use this stuff? The answer…next valentines day. I just cannot justify spending that kind of money on stuff you are only going to use one day out of the year (Christmas Decor is up for an entire month in my house so don't even try to argue that one with me).

What did I come up with? I came across these Scalamandre Placemats by Caspari while perusing Amazon.com and was immediately hooked! My valentines idea suddenly became clear, I was going to make a romantic cocktail hour for my husband (with a mini cheesescape of course) and then round out the evening with a dessert and champagne bar (*I will be sharing those details on Wednesday).

Table Decor:

Votives- I used my Tiffany & Co. Crystal Rock Cut Votives, which I have talked about in my article on Coffee Table Candles. Other great votive suggestions for this coffee tablescape would be:
- CB2's Hatch Candle Holder, CB2's Frosted Glass Candle Holder, West Elm's Mercury Tea Light Holders
Flowers- I kept this aspect of the table very traditional with deep red roses.
- For the large rose bowl, I used slightly over a dozen roses. If you don't have a rose bowl, I highly recommend getting one. I am not an expert at flower arranging, but having this rose bowl has made this arrangement look professional. Additional bonus- you can buy rose bowls very inexpensively like this rose bowl available at Amazon.com.
- For the bud vases, I used CB2's Ai Bud Vases and suggest filling them with either African Roses or Spray Roses.

Table Setting:

Placemats- Scalamandre by Caspari (Set of 4)
Napkins- CB2 Restaurant Dinner Napkins (Set of 4)
Napkin Rings- I had purchased my horn napkin rings from Williams Sonoma on sale. They no longer carry the napkin rings, but here are a few similar options:
- Pottery Barn Horn Napkin Rings (Set of 4), Simon Pearce Polished Horn Napkin Ring, Kenneth Cole Reaction Home Horn Napkin Ring
Coasters- I used my Brass Chilewich Dahlia Coasters.
Stemware- Pictured are my William Yeoward Fanny Champagne Flutes. A few additional champagne flute options would be:
- Riedel Vinum Champagne Glass (Set of 2), Lenox Marchesa Imperial Caviar Gold Champagne Flutes (Set of 2), Williams-Sonoma Somerset Champagne Flute (Set of 4), CB2 Cheval Clear Flute
Cheese Board- I used the Godinger Plume Cheese Board with Server
Cheese Knives- The Godinger Plume Cheese Board does come with a cheese knife, however I opted for a set of 2 silver cheese knives. Here are a few different options if you are looking to grow your cheese knife collection:
- Jean DuBost Laguiole 3-Piece Cheese Knife Set- Stainless Steel, Sur La Table Hotel Cheese Knives (Set of 4), Michael Aram New Molten Cheese Knife Set
Small Serving Bowls- The crystal bowls pictured below are actually antiques that I inherited, but here are a few small bowl alternatives:
- Julia Knight Peony Round Bowl 6", Libbey Crisa Tempo Square Bowl (Set of 12), Sur La Table The Cambridge Collection Footed Serving Bowls

Food & Drink:

For the Cheeseboard:
- Camembert Heart Cheese- The only heart on this table! I was perusing the cheese section at Whole Foods and came across this Camembert Heart from the Old Chatham Sheepherding Company. I couldn't resist! Pictured above I have garnished it with fresh julienned sage, because I felt it needed a little color for presentation purposes. I've actually noticed a fair number of grocery stores carrying heart shaped cheeses right now, like Trader Joe's. Even if you can't find a heart shaped cheese, there are still so many great cheese options available for your Valentine's Cheesescape.
- Cypress Grove Midnight Moon- This is a personal favorite of mine. I cannot get enough of it and it's definitely a cheese that you will see time and again in my cheesescape photos. Why do I love it so much? This gouda has delicious nutty and brown butter notes, pairs beautifully with a variety of preserves/ chutneys and always seems to be a crowd favorite (especially for my husband and myself).
- Chutney- I went with a personal favorite of both mine and my husband (since we are going to be the ones eating it), Virginia Chutney Company's Hot Peach Chutney. I love the combination of sweet and heat, plus it pairs beautifully with the Midnight Moon.
- Fresh Red Currants- I am totally in LOVE with currants at the moment. Not a common choice, but their tart/slightly sweet taste is fantastic. They pair beautifully with a variety of cheeses and are a great addition to your glass of bubbly (as you will see in Wednesday's Post). It is towards the end of their peak season, but I am still able to find them in some local grocery stores.

Cheese Accompaniments:
- Whole Grain 34 Degree Crisps- Available in a number of grocery stores, specialty food stores and online.
- Dried Pear Simple & Crisp-Available in specialty food shops, Whole Foods and Online.
- Sea Salt and Rosemary Crostini- Available at Whole Foods.
- Tart Dried Cherries- Available at most grocery stores and online at Amazon.com
Nut Dish:
- Spicy Cayenne Chickpeas by 2 Armadillos Co.
- Trader Joe's Sweet and Spicy Pecans
- Trader Joe's Rosemary and Seasalt Marcona Almonds
- **For additional nut ideas, check out my post on Cocktail Party Preparedness: Food & Beverage
Champagne and Sparkling Wine Suggestions:
- I think champagne or sparkling wine is the perfect Valentine's cocktail. Enjoying a bottle of bubbly with your significant other seems pretty romantic to me! The type of champagne/sparkling wine and price point are totally up to you. If you are looking for suggestions, I would recommend: Domaine Carneros by Tattinger, Moet & Chandon Champagne, Chandon or Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut.

While this is only Part One of my two part Valentine's series, I hope that this concept has inspired you to possibly think beyond the typical Valentine's Day fare. There are so many romantic gestures and home accessories that you can do/use to make Valentine's Day special, thoughtful and romantic for your significant other. Stay tuned for Part Two of my Valentine's Series on Wednesday, where I show you how to round out this cocktail party with a very sweet ending.

Lemon Basil Cocktail

January 5, 2015 Callie Cagney

Looking for a refreshing cocktail to serve at your next get together or for a post work happy hour at home? Try making this Lemon Basil Cocktail. It's easy to make, refreshing, packed with flavor but also low in sugar. This skinny cocktail is great for keeping to those healthy New Years Resolutions, but also shines during the spring and summer months (it is really refreshing). Cheers to the New Year!