The Spirit World

I wanted to make some comments before getting to the main point of today’s Brewsday post. You’ll remember from last week (I hope) that I have developed an interest in mixing beer with other beverages. My determination to explore this mixological territory was redoubled when I opened up a cocktail book a few […]

Happy New Year! Pass the Champagne! Or perhaps I should say “Sparkling Wine”, since that is actually what I am discussing here, the sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France simply being the most quintessential version, and the one that comes first to the minds of most people.
You’ve probably all heard the various versions […]

Nothing says “Christmas in Spain” like Freixenet (pronounced, “fresh-in-NET”).
Freixenet–headquartered an hour’s drive from Barcelona–is Spain’s largest and most well-known brand of cava. You’ve all seen Freixenent at your local liquor store. It’s that sinister-looking black bottle with the gold lettering and foil-wrapped stopper.
“Ahhhhh,” you’re now saying. “*That’s* Freixenet?! So tell me…what […]

Last week it was all apples, this week we are focusing on another fruit of the season, the beautiful pear! Lara has already provided you with the Pear Nectar Martini which would be a great choice for this weekend but here’s another alternative, the Pear Brandy Champagne Cocktail.
I first had this cocktail at one […]

It has been hot here in the Northwest - not as hot as some areas of the country but very hot for those of us with webbed feet!
On Monday I had a little gathering at my house and found the perfect beverage to serve. Light and refreshing, and best when prepared several hours […]

I tend to travel by myself quite often - it started back when I used to do a lot of business travel. After being out on the road so many times on my own, I came to actually enjoy it. You have total freedom over what you do and when you do it! […]

Last May, Oprah’s magazine, O, celebrated it’s 5th anniversary. In the July 2005 issue the published the cocktail that was created for their celebration.
This cocktail would serve a variety of needs but with it’s light pink color, it would be especially fitting for a Mother’s Day Brunch.
O Fizz
Makes 4 cocktails

3 […]

I entertain quite often and one thing I try to do - both to give my guests a way to be part of the party and as a way to take a bit of the load off me - is set up the beverages in a way that makes it easy for everyone to handle […]

I hope you enjoyed St. Patrick’s day as much as we did! In our young family, we are always low key. No bar hopping, no drinking at all actually (that ensures no hangover the next day, something that you do NOT want around an early rising toddler) BUT, we do a whole lot […]

For Valentines Day I can think of no better cocktail to celebrate with than the Kir Royale. It has the obvious benefits of being Champagne for celebration, French for romance, and tinged with pink to take on the appropriate color. There is however another important aspect of this drink that makes it oh-so-appropriate, and that […]