A Bourbon Good Luck Charm for the New Year

Celebration of New Years 

would be incomplete without 

a good luck charm of a cocktail like this!

Master Mixologist, Bobby G. Gleason, created this cocktail and I applauded the combination of Jim Beam and lemon from the first sip. 

Ring in the New Year with a French 75!

Even though it may sound like a dainty little drink, this potent marriage of gin and bubbly is name after a giant gun ~ the French 75mm gun  ~ used in the First World War.  Evidently the cocktail was rumored to have such a kick that it felt like being shelled with the powerful field gun right in the gut.  

The Canon de 75 modèle 1897 the source of the name of the cocktail

Simply named 75 (Soixante Quinze in French), the original recipe differed slightly in that it was served over cracked ice in a tall glass, similar to a Tom Collins, with champagne replacing the soda. 

An early form of the French 75 was created in 1915 at the New York Bar in Paris.  Years later in 1942, it was popularized in America at the Stork Club in New York City, and appeared in the cult classic movie “Casablanca” that same year.   It is referenced twice in the John Wayne films A Man Betrayed (1941) and Jet Pilot (1957.) 

Combine gin with fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, champagne, and cracked ice; shake and strain into a champagne flute, top with champagne, add a lemon twist for garnish, and…

Voila! 

A French 75! 

Ring in 2018 with this classy cocktail!

Cheers!

Author: Pam

French 75

A potent marriage of dry gin and bubbly.

ingredients:

• 1½ OUNCES London dry GIN
• ¾ OUNCE LEMON JUICE
• ½ OUNCE SIMPLE SYRUP
• 3 OZ CHAMPAGNE

instructions:

1. Combine the first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker with cracked ice. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds and strain into a champagne flute.
2. Top with 3 oz of champagne and serve with a lemon peel for garnish.

Have a safe

&

Happy New Year!

Classic Cocktail to ring in the New Year!

This is a simple classic drink

to ring in the New Year!

Angostura Bitters, you know, that easily recognized bottle with the oversized label and yellow lid in the grocery store and liquor stores...

It was 1824, when German born, Johann Gottlieb Benjamin Siegert, serving as Surgeon General in Simón Bolivar's army in Venezuela, developed Angostura Bitters for use in his medical practice, in the town of Angostura, now known as Ciudad Bolívar.  

Dr. Siegert used his aromatic bitters as a medical tincture to improve the appetite and digestive well-being of the soldiers.  

By 1875, the family business moved to Port of Spain, Trinidad and was run by 3 of the doctor's sons.  The exact formula of Angostura bitters ~ a unique blend of natural herbs and spices ~ is a closely guarded secret formula.

To this day, people use a couple of drops of bitters in a little water or just plain to relieve an upset stomach, gas, hiccups and so forth.

The bitters are extremely concentrated and are an acquired taste, being used is small amounts as flavoring in cocktails, coffee, juices, salads, ice cream, marinades for meat, soups and sauces.

It's the key ingredient for many cocktails, including this classic champagne drink.  

Classic New Year’s Eve Champagne Cocktail

1 sugar cube

Angostura bitters
Moet & Chandon Brut Champagne
Lemon twist, for garnish

Soak the sugar cube in the bitters and drop into a champagne flute. 
Top with champagne.
Garnish with lemon twist.
Makes 1 serving

This New Year I wish that ~

Fate never takes you for a bumpy ride,

Cupid strikes you with his sweetest arrow,

Lady Luck bestows upon you health and wealth,

Your Guardian Angel keeps your mind 

alert and bright.

Have a Happy and Blessed New Year 2017!

The best,

Pam

Time to Ring in the New Year!

New Year's Eve is here people and this little cocktail will not let you be nodding off as the New Year approaches!

Champagne may be the drink of choice for many on New Year's Eve, but save the bubbly for another time and try this unique drink...

A Midnight Martini is a dark, easy to make martini with strong coffee flavor ~ chilling the espresso before making ~ is an important element to the drink.

Although, the martini is sweet enough on its own, the simple syrup adds a nice little froth to it. 

It's the perfect cocktail to keep you going into the wee hours!

Midnight Martini Cocktail

Ingredients:

2 ounces Grey Goose vodka
1 ounce espresso or strong coffee (cold)
1 ounce Kahlúa
Healthy splash of simple syrup
Orange twist for garnish

Method:

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake it hard for 10-15 seconds.
Strain into a martini glass.
Garnish with orange twist.

ENJOY!

HAVE A GREAT

HAPPY NEW YEAR

AND

BE SAFE!

Happy New Year to You!

In the New Year,

may your right hand

always be stretched out in friendship

but never in want.

Here’s wishing you

a

Happy New Year!

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year

Maple Syrup-Roasted Tomatoes for NYE

Appetizers ~ Canapes ~ Tapas ~ Dim sum ~ Hors d'oeuvres…

"...many of the great cuisines of the world -- Chinese, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Spanish, French and Italian, just for starters -- have long recognized that dawdling over small servings of many different dishes, sharing tidbits and discoveries, not only stretches out a pleasant social evening but bonds friends together in a very emotional way. In fact, the very word "companion" comes from the Latin com panis, or "with bread," meaning the person you share meals with -- friendship defined by dining...The most familiar versions are Middle Eastern mezze and their Spanish derivatives tapas; Chinese dim sum (meaning, sweetly, "touch the heart"); French canapes and hors d'oeuvres (themselves derived from the Russian zakuski); and Italian antipasti. In Vietnam, such drinking dishes are called "do nhau" -- literally, "little bites," and sounding not unlike "doughnut." The Thai, who might be the world's masters of outdoor gourmet dining, call them "kanto." Indians refer to samosas and other such little fried finger foods, cheerfully enough, as "chat."
---"Bite-Size Cusine," Eve Zibart, Washington Post, Sept. 4, 1998

These tiny tomatoes are marvelous straight out of the oven.  Roasting enhances their natural sugar and juices; adding the maple syrup intensifies their sweetness.  This recipe is adapted from Saveur.  

With a supply of toothpicks, this will be a tasty appetizer for you to serve on New Year’s Eve just as they are; or, topping baguette slices slathered with a little garlic butter and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, or simply spread with goat cheese.

Other than an appetizer, they are perfect on salads, pastas, pizza, or even on your scrambled eggs for breakfast.  This could be your go-to appetizer that takes little time, and ingredients.  A hit for your crowd!

Maple Syrup-Roasted Tomatoes

Adapted

Ingredients:

16 cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

2 tablespoons maple syrup

2 tablespoons olive oil

¼ teaspoon dried thyme

2 cloves garlic, minced

Salt and seasoned pepper, to taste

Method:

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Arrange tomato halves cut side up on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet.

Whisk together remaining ingredients and drizzle over tomatoes.

Bake for 20 minutes, then stir and add a couple of tablespoons of water if they appear too dry.

Return to oven and bake for another 20-30 minutes until tomatoes are browned on bottom and begin to collapse.

They're tasty little bites!

Be sure to visit my friend, Linda’s blog, @My Kind of Cooking for great tips and delicious easy recipes! 

Happy New Year to YOU!

May you all have a 

fantastic 2012 that is filled with:

Good Health

Joy

Success

and 

Peace!

Happy New Year!!!

Cheers!