with apples, aspic and sparklers bring back to us the taste of the magic of this night. And to diversify the tradition, you can dream up on the theme of festive drinks!
My guests have not been surprised for a long time when, before going to the festive table, I invite them to try some mysterious drink of bright red or, say, orange color in a beautiful glass. Although the culture of aperitifs has not fully taken root among us, it is slowly gaining popularity. The Latin word aperire, “to open”, clearly reflects their main purpose – to reveal our taste sensations before the meal and, of course, create a festive mood. Then, in the middle of a hearty dinner, in the interval dedicated to the change of dishes, a correctly composed shot (drink “in one sip”) will refresh the appetite and avoid feeling of heaviness. In France, this technique is called un trou normand, “Norman hole”: between appetizers and hot, literally a spoonful of green apple sorbet, poured with Calvados, is served. Everyone will surely like bright festive cocktails: young friends, older relatives, and children. One has only to offer them to everyone’s taste: non-alcoholic and strong, dairy and with the addition of champagne, ice and hot … Experiment!
KIKI COCONUT
Ingredients for one serving
- 1 kiwi
- 1/2 cup grapefruit juice
- 1 / 2 a glass of pineapple juice
- 3 art. l. coconut syrup
- a few mint leaves
- crushed ice
Preparation
Place the empty glass in the freezer for 10 minutes. Cut a thin slice of kiwi for garnish, peel the rest of the skin and blend in a blender with the rest of the ingredients and a little crushed ice. Pour into a chilled glass, garnish with mint leaves and kiwi slice
Metropolitan
Ingredients for one serving
- 1/3 cup cranberry juice
- 2 tbsp. l. sugar syrup
- 4 st. l. vermouth Martini Rose
- 4 tbsp. l. Gina Beefeater
- 1/2 lime, a few raspberries
- a couple of mint leaves, a sprig of rosemary
- crushed ice
Preparation
Mash raspberries, squeeze half a lime, pour in vermouth, gin, juice, syrup and shake well with ice. Pour the cocktail into a glass, garnish with raspberries, mint and a sprig of rosemary.
BLACKBERRY WITH CHAMPAGNE
Ingredients for one serving
- 1 tbsp. l. Marakui Syrup (Passion Fruit)
- 1 st. l. Cointreau liqueur
- 1/2 cup sparkling wine
- a few blackberries
- crushed ice
Preparation
Mash the blackberries, add ice and other ingredients, mix gently. Serve in a champagne glass, garnished with a blackberry skewer.
DARK ROM
Ingredients for one serving
- 1/3 cup dark rum
- 2 tbsp. l. strawberry liqueur
- 1 tbsp. l. sugar syrup
- 1/2 lime
- blueberries, raspberries and blackberries
- crushed ice
Preparation
Mash the berries, pour in the rum and liqueur. Squeeze half a lime, add ice and stir. You can decorate the cocktail with a sprig of mint and berries on a skewer.
MARGARITA MOCCA
Ingredients for one serving
- 1/4 cup coffee liqueur
- 1/4 cup Cointreau
- 4 tbsp. l. liquid chocolate (available in supermarkets)
- 3 art. l. Baileys liqueur
- 1 tsp. grated dark chocolate
- 1/2 tsp ground coffee
- several coffee beans
- crushed ice
Preparation
Whip the liqueurs, liquid and grated chocolate in a blender with ice. Pour the cocktail into a tall glass. Then lightly sprinkle it with ground coffee and garnish with coffee beans.