Let the drinking commence...

It's summer. I am no longer pregnant. Let's celebrate with a cocktail, shall we? My husband discovered this amazing new drink recipe which uses Grey Goose's newest vodka, Cherry Noir. The "Cherry Collins" as they call it, is a light and refreshing summer cocktail you could enjoy poolside on a hot day. It would also be a great cocktail to serve at your next dinner party.

and here is the recipe:

Ingredients

GREY GOOSE® Cherry Noir

2Parts Fresh Lemon Juice

¾Parts Simple Syrup

¾ Parts

Club Soda Splash

Preparation

1. Fill glass slightly above rim with cubed ice.
2. Pour ingredients in order listed to 1/2 inch from top of glass and stir.
3. Add soda straw and garnish with a cherry.

Tips

The sour is a classic cocktail, and the key to making a great one is using fresh-squeezed lemon juice and simple syrup, rather than pre-prepared sour mix. Use this same basic recipe to create delicious Sour cocktails with all of the GREY GOOSE Flavored Vodkas.

Summer Brew

Apparently I am totally behind because I have never tried summer brew. Have any of you tried this tasty summer concoction? Our friend's Fred and Maria served it at a BBQ over the weekend and now I can't wait to make it myself! It's essentially a mix of Lemonade concentrate, beer and vodka served over ice. For the recipe click HERE.

and a few pics from the BBQ...thanks to Fred and Maria for a great time! Fred is a soccer coach, so there was no shortage of soccer balls to play with...

Maria and I and the kiddos

Looking at a caterpillar...and notice he has a ball AND a car in his hands...multitasking!

3 handsome boys

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend too!

Call me bubbles...

I am not sure if it is this warm weather, or just the fact that it is going to be a beautiful long weekend, but I am certainly ready for a cocktail. In the heat, I tend to crave something bubbly and fruity and very cold. My husband has perfected the art of champagne cocktail creations, and he is always mixing up something new.  We did a lot of the St.Germain cocktail (elderflower liquer and champagne...yum!) last summer, but here are some new ones that I can't wait to try!

The Raspberry Champagne cocktail: recipe HERE

Champagne Pomegranate cocktail recipe HERE

And a Peach Prosecco spritzer recipe HERE

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone! And...CHEERS!

S if for Sauvignon Blanc!

About 70% of the time I am a bubbly girl, but when it comes to wine I am a tried and true Sauvignon Blanc drinker. My husband and I got turned on to New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc's a few years ago, and it seems like when it comes to white wine this is what we enjoy the most. I think it is the crisp, fruity flavors and light body of these wines that make them so easy (and tasty!) to drink. A lot of people prefer this in the summer, but we really like it all year round. We have tried many different kinds, but these are just a few of our favorites.

Nobilo-around $9 a bottle

This good buy has intense lemon, citrus and tropical fruit flavors that make it absolutely delicious. It's light and crisp and pairs wonderfully with a prawn salad or any fish dish. My dad happens to be a wine distributor, so this is always stocked in our wine refrigerator!

MATUA- around $13 a bottle

According to the Wine Curmudgeon, this wine has citrus, lime and grapefruit flavors up front, and a wonderful pineapple-y middle. Serve chilled and pair it with a chicken or fish dish or even something spicy. This is a popular Sauvignon Blanc served by restaurants, it's a great price for a really good bottle of wine.

KIM CRAWFORD-around $15 a bottle

I was actually recommended this wine by a gentleman from New Zealand that I sat next to on a flight home from NYC. He said this was by far his favorite, and I would have to agree with him. With notes of  Gooseberry, citrus and passion fruit it is the perfect blend of earthy and sweet. It pairs very nicely with any seafood or vegetarian dish and of course a great salad. 

Cloudy Bay-Around $30 a bottle

When we feel like splurging on a bottle of Sauvignon, Cloudy Bay is always our first pick. We first tried this wine on the roof top terrace of the Park Hyatt in Chicago, paired with Sushi and salads. It blew us both away. It has a broad spectrum of varietal flavors which include tropical flavors of guava and mango to ripe lime/citrus and sweet herbs. It is fantastic served nice and cold...especially on a warm summer night.

What is your favorite Sauvignon Blanc?