12/24/07 Bubbly Cocktails

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran. On today's program, we will continue answering questions from the holiday email. A listener asked what types of cocktails I would recommend making that use sparkling wine as a base. Sparkling wine always sets the stage for festivity. Although I am not a huge fan of beverages made with sparkling wine as I much prefer to drink it all on its own I have had a few good ones. In fact my sister makes a version of a Mimosa with sparkling wine and passion fruit juice. It is also good with guava juice. The proportion is about 1/3 juice to 2/3 bubbly. It really is refreshing and not too sweet. Then the more traditional sugar cube soaked in bitters that you set in the bottom of a fluted glass top it with bubbly and you have a champagne cocktail. Another simple champagne cocktail is made by combining a splash of raspberry liquer or frambois to a glass of champagne. If that is too sweet try cranberry juice. The ladies in my book group made Champagne cocktails by combining peach schnapps and sparkling wine to create an imitation of an Italian cocktail called a Belini. Create your own cocktail by adding just a splash of something that you like to your bubbly. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thanks for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.