Ladies Thyme- A Champagne Punch

Champagne cocktails can have it all. fresh. light. herbal. sweet. savory. bubbly… Morning, noon, or night. Universal.

When hosting, champagne punch is a blank canvas. This is one rendition I made for a bridal shower and appropriately dubbed “Ladies Thyme”.  I used a sweeter sparkling wine, prosecco, with no added sugars to not overwhelm but to highlight the herbal and citric notes of this punch. What made this uniquely perfect however, was the homemade thyme bitters.  Try it at your next event!

Ladies Thyme

2 bottles Sparkling wine (Prosecco)

2 cups Gin

1 bunch Thyme (1/3 cup packed)

32 oz unsweetened or hand squeezed ruby red grapefruit juice

A week before your event find a glass bottle large enough for the herbs and the gin. Simply put the gin and herbs in the bottle and place it in an unlit place. The day of the event, gather your punch bowl pour in your thyme “bitters” followed by your grapefruit. Just before guests arrive, uncork the champagne and top.

For best results, ladle into champagne glasses and enjoy a few before your friends drink it all.  Cheers!

Cocktail Chronicles Kickoff ….. Captured on the iPhone.

Truffled Martini: Truffle stuffed olives

I know what you’re thinking…. this blogger is an alcoholic. If I say no, well then I just may be! So I’ll just say, I have found a passion for having, and crafting a well made cocktails. Usually, Im a wine drinker, but have found cocktails so have so many of the same qualities a a full bodied earthy yet fruit forward red. I mean, what is not to love? Layers of well balanced flavor to keep surprising, and a little goose to top it off. Cocktails are like the perfect red wine blend, but with infinite possibility.

Cocktails are like the perfect red wine blend, but with infinite possibility.

Cocktails are so creative. everything you would do with a meal, you can do with a cocktail. Spicy, sweet, savory, sour, bitter… I find mixology an Art. An Art I tend to partake in on my own time.

As a bit of a precursor to what I will be later posting- my own  “Cocktail Chronicle” series- Infusions, fresh pressed mixings, herbs, homemade bitters and reductions. From picked carrots, to spicy ginger, and often a kick of  jalapeño and depth of whiskey, I cannot wait to share my own passion for balanced libations with you. Ill call it a serious fun.

Here are a few mixed concoctions I’ve captured while out and about to feed your intrigue of what is to come….

Angostura Smash: Makers Mark, Lemon Simple, Muddled Mint

3 Bitter Manhattan: Classic Manhattan with angostura, citrus, and black walnut bitters

Peter Rabbit: Pimm’s #1, bruised basil, pressed lemon, pickled carrot

No. 87: Currant Infused Rye, Becherovka, Ginger Beer, Fresh Lime

Penicillin: Scotch whisky, lemon juice, honey syrup, fresh ginger
(Usually single malt scotch ) but subbed Mescal for smokiness

Poolside Gimlet: Gin, fresh lime, mint, and the kicker…. celery bitters

The Fashionista: Vodka, ginger beer, muddled blackberry, and jalapeño