Here are my good libations:
Champagne Punch Bellini
Anything with bubbly in is always a winner and this recipe by Crazy for Crust is gloriously simple but super yummy. *serves 4-5
Ingredients:
1 (750ml) bottle of Methode Cap Classique, Champagne if you want to splash out or sparkling wine if you don't.
1/2 cup raspberry sorbet - your favorite flavor sorbet)
Fresh raspberries - but you can use any fruit.
Directions:
The amount of servings you get depends on how big your champagne glasses are.
For each serving: place 1 tablespoon scoops of sorbet in the bottom of a champagne flute. Fill with champagne and top with a fresh berry. Serve immediately.
To view this recipe in full, click here
Bubbly choice - Stellenrust Clement de Lure MCC NV or Thandi Sparkling White 2014
Pear and thyme fizz
Elgin valley pears (when in season), fresh thyme and beautiful bubbles - a perfect combination. *serves 6
Ingredients:
2 cups good-quality apple juice
1 ripe but firm pear, very thinly sliced
12 sprigs fresh thyme
1/4 cup orange-flavored liqueur (I like grand marnier)
1 bottle sparkling wine or MCC
Directions:
In a pitcher, combine apple juice, pears, thyme and liqueur. Stir together, then refrigerate for 2 – 4 hours to allow the pears and thyme to infuse the juice with flavor.
Divide between 6 champagne flutes, discarding thyme, then fill remainder of each glass with champagne. Garnish each glass with a sprig of fresh thyme. Bottoms up!
Bubbly choice - Kleine Zalze Methode Cap Classique Non Vintage Brut
To view this full recipe, click here
Late-Harvest Wine and Campari Cocktails
Ingredients
3 3/4 cups sweet late-harvest white wine, such as Riesling
2 1/4 cups fresh orange juice
1 cup Campari
Ice, for serving
Directions
In a large pitcher, mix the white wine with the fresh orange juice and Campari. Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours. Fill tall glasses with ice, pour the cocktail over the ice and serve.
Wine choice - Paul Cluver 'Close Encounter' Riesling 2014
To view this full recipe, click here
Stellenbosch Hills La Serena Mojito
Stellenbosch Hills hand crafted the celebratory La Serena, a premium aperitif paying respect to its heritage. Turn an average Mojito into something special with a dash of the La Serena to give your drink a splash of rich nougat, nut flavours and notes of rose petals.
Ingredients
2 parts Rum
½ fresh lime
12 fresh mint leaves
2 heaped bar spoons of caster sugar
Tonic water
Cubed ice
Crushed ice
Tablespoon (or two) or La Serena
To Garnish: Sprig of Fresh Mint
Directions
Put the lime wedges into a glass, then add the sugar and squish everything together.
Rough up the mint leaves and then add to glass and mix with the lime.
Half fill the glass with crushed ice and add rum - stir till the sugar dissolves.
Add tonic and top with ice.
Add the La Serena.
Garnish with mint.
Strawberry Ombre Sparkler
The original recipe calls for blackberries but I figure strawberries are far easier to come by in South Africa. Grab yourself a tub of edible glitter from Yuppiechef or any good baking shop and decorate your champagne flutes for extra cheer. *serves 4
Ingredients
1 cup fresh Strawberries
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
1 bottle MCC
Directions
In a small saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, and water. Bring to a boil on high heat, and then reduce to a simmer and let cook for approximately 12-15 minutes. The blackberries will become soft and bright in color and a pinkish purple syrup will form. Take off of the heat and drain the berries, keeping the syrup in a separate bowl. Set both aside and allow to cool.
Once berries and simple syrup are cooled, spoon about 4 tablespoons of syrup into the bottom of each champagne flute (this recipe makes 4 drinks)
Top with champagne.
Garnish with fresh berries or the cooked berries, and a sprig of rosemary.
Cheers!
Mcc choice - Villiera Tradition Rosé Brut NV
To view this full recipe, click here