We sell a pretty swell little book called “Southern Cocktails, Dixie Drinks, Party Potions &Classic Libations” and from this comes our all time favorite cocktail for btg socials – the French 75. Even though it’s named after the French 75mm field gun in WWII, it originated in the New Orlean’s French Quarter in the 1920’s. It’s lovely, refreshing, and oh so sophisticated.
Mix 2 oz gin or brandy, ½ cup fresh lemon juice and 3 T simple syrup and shake over ice. Strain into 2 champagne flutes and top with a dry champagne. Garnish with a twist.
It’s hard to beat a margarita on a hot summer day and our Ultimate Margarita recipe comes from the Southern Cocktails book as well. After you make this, you will have a hard time settling for the margaritas that most bars put out. Run a lime wedge around the rims of these cute dog glasses, dip them in salt or sugar and chill. Fill a cocktail shaker with 1 and ½ cups of ice and add 1 ½ oz premium silver tequila, 1 oz Cointreau liqueur, 1 oz fresh lime juice and 1 tablespoon superfine sugar.( Just regular sugar processed in a blender). Shake vigorously and pour into prepared glass with ice. Squeeze 1 or 2 lime wedges in and serve. Serve alongside our simple guacamole and chips. Mash ripe avocados with lime juice, a little finely chopped red onion and salt and pepper. Add cilantro if you like.
Italians know how to enjoy life, and the Campari Spritz is one of their secrets. Sipping a spritz at a sidewalk café, or one’s own ,porch with friends is the perfect summer past time. And with only three ingredients, Campari, sparkling wine, and soda water, it doesn’t get much simpler. Serve them with a side of potato chips and imagine yourself in Venice. Why not? La dolce vita is a state of mind.
