Summer Obsession: Champagne Cocktails

by Slynnro

If you already follow a Texan on Twitter, then you know. It's hot. Damn hot. Hottest summer on record hot. I-looked-at-the-forecast-and-there-are-6-days-with-108-as-the-high hot.  

HOT.

Patio drinking season in Texas is therefore rather short-lived. April and October are our prime patio drinking months. But as one who lives a mere block down the street from the Ritz Carlton Dallas, and is absolutely in love with the people watching scene at their Rattlesnake Bar, I have to make some heat-related sacrifices. And spending my summer evenings watching the drama that plays out at the outdoor patio bar at the Ritz is not one of them. So instead, I sacrifice ALL other cocktails for champagne. Light, fizzy, refreshingly cold (the idea of red wine right now would require a fainting couch). Champagne is where it's at. And the only thing better than a lovely glass of Feuillatte (my favorite) is a glass of Feuillate mixed with something delicious and citrus flavored.  

And I'm not talking mimosas here. I'm talking about drinks that let the champagne shine.

Here are some fun recipes to give a try!

A delicious vodka-berry-champagne compilation

Citrus Champagne Cocktail

The Classic French 75 or a Rose 75

Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail

And all this champagne goodness obviously calls for some new champagne flutes or champagne saucers!

World Market is a great place to pick up affordable barware, like these pretty-hued flutes:

I am in love with the etching on these flutes from Anthropologie:

I love the long stem on these saucers:

What are your favorite summertime drinks?

Comments

[Rhi]

There is an amazing restaurant in Portland that comes to your table and teaches you how to make a bubbly cocktail with dessert. I think my favorite is Pimms, Grapefruit Rind and Prosecco. It's a damn shame that it will be several months before I can enjoy one.

[Gretchen]

Champagne is a fave of mine! Try this one, we called it the poinsettia at Christmas but we drink it all the time:
1 part vodka
2 parts cranberry juice
Shake and pour into martini glass. Top with champagne and finish with a twist of orange.

[Jennie]

Well, you know I'm a fan of this post.