New Year's Yummies!

Ok, so I admit it! I am an old lady! Oh but my husband is just as bad! We will NOT be watching the ball drop! WHY, you ask? Well because we are in bed with the lights out in our 10th dream by 9:30! yep! So, we won't see the ball drop, we won't scream Happy New Year and make out at 12am, we won't be hugging and kissing everyone (unless we are dreaming about it, but I doubt that)....
BUT~ I do know that celebrating with a glass of Champagne is a TRADITION! I LOVE Champagne, especially Prosecco Champagne from ITALY! Unlike Champagne, Prosecco is made withe the charmat method of producing sparkling wine in which the second fermentation takes place in pressurized tanks not in the bottle. The shorter, less labor intensive method is ideal for Prosecco as it preserves the crisp, young, fresh flavor of the grapes and keeps it affordable.

When choosing a good Prosecco look for the D.O.C. denominations: Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene, Prosecco di Conegliano or Prosecco di Valdobbiadene. These wines are always a good bet for quality. Also the sub-denomination Cartizze (indicating they were grown on the slopes around the village of San Pietro di Barbozza). These are known for their drier, more mineral characteristics. It is best to drink Prosecco within three years of its vintage to experience its peak freshness, although many of the high-quality wines are best aged up to seven years.

 It's so crisp and refreshing and yes, one small glass will get me off my feet and floating in the air! I get light, kiddy and soooo smiley! LOL!


So, although We won't be toasting, you just may be! So enjoy some of these great tasty recipes....

New Year's Champagne Cocktail Recipes
It is tradition to toast the New Year with a glass of champagne. If you want a sweet twist on champagne for the upcoming New Year’s festivities, try one of these delicious recipes:






Bellini
A bellini is a nice alternative to your New Year’s bubbly, and makes a perfect drink for a New Year’s Day brunch. This classic cocktail is a mix of champagne and peach nectar is enjoying revival among cocktail enthusiasts. Use the recipe below to create your own delightful version of the bellini:

• 2 oz peach juice or peach puree
• 4 oz champagne or prosecco

Pour peach puree into champagne glass and add champagne. You can also create a “Baby Bellini” which is a non-alcoholic version of the drink. Simply substitute sparking cider for prosecco to make this yummy mock tail.
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Kiwi Sparkle
Enjoy this unexpected take on champagne. Garnish with a slice of kiwi to give guests a hint at what’s inside.

• 3 oz champagne
• ½ oz kiwi liqueur
• 1 oz kiwi juice
• Black Velvet

Serve this twist on traditional Irish stout to your beer-drinking guests. Great if you're having a casual party but still want to get a champagne toast in when the ball drops.


Create a 4:1 ratio of champagne and black Irish stout
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Champagne Fizz
Sugar and lemon give this fizzy drink a lemon-drop flavor. A good combination of sweet and sour, this cocktail will be sure to please your guests.

• 3 oz. chilled champagne
• 1 ½ oz. gin
• 1 oz. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. sugar.

Pour the gin, lemon juice, and sugar into a cocktail shaker that is half filled with ice cubes. Shake well. Strain into a champagne flute and add champagne. Serve chilled.
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Champagne Sangria
Try a twist on traditional sangria with this bubbly adaptation.

• ½ cup of orange juice
• 1 cup strawberries, blended
• Chopped fruit (apple, mango, orange, lime)
• 1 bottle of champagne

Prepare a large bowl or pitcher. Add in the orange juice, strawberries, and fruit. Mix together well. Allow to sit for at least a few hours (and preferably overnight), so the liquids absorb the flavors of the fruit.


Add in the champagne just before serving, so that it doesn't go flat.
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Poinsettia
Perfect for holidays, this ruby red cocktail will punch up your party.

• ½ oz Cointreau or triple sec
• Champagne
• 3 oz cranberry juice

Pour the Cointreau and cranberry juice into champagne flutes. Top off with champagne.
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French 75
Named after WWI French artillery gun, this drink packs as much punch as its name implies.

• ½ oz lemon juice
• 1 oz gin
• ½ oz Cointreau
• Champagne

Pour the lemon juice or gin and Cointreau into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes and shake well. Strain into a champagne flute and add champagne.
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Champagne & Strawberries
When in doubt, keep it simple and give guests the option to have their champagne as is or garnished with strawberries for a hint of flavor or do as I did for our wedding day... PINK Champagne with Raspberries inside! OMG! So delish!

As always, be safe..Drink with responsibility and remember..you are not the only one on the road, so if you have had a few drinks, TAKE A CAB, GET A RIDE or find a couch to sleep on!! 
XO