Weekend Cocktail: Fresh Strawberry Fizz

Down South where I come from, we are in the early weeks of strawberry season. This is one of my favorite times of the year... chilly mornings, dew on the ground and fantastic early strawberries on the shelves at the farmer's market. The guy I get fresh strawberries from sells them off the back of his pick-up truck...real old-school.

I wanted to make a strawberry something or 'nother for my first weekend cocktail blog post since leaving for Food Network Star back in January. I also wanted to make it with some sparkle since we are still celebrating the cast announcement for the show. (please forgive me, this could go on all summer) So.... here's what I came up with: a simple, elegant cocktail perfect for a brunch, wedding reception, bridal shower, or ladies luncheon. My Fresh Strawberry Fizz... similar to a Bellini but with strawberry puree instead of peach. Let me know what you think! Happy weekend, friends!   

FRESH STRAWBERRY FIZZ

1 pint fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced

1 750ml bottle Prosecco, chilled

2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur

1/4 cup fresh orange juice

Add the strawberries, orange juice and Grand Marnier to a pitcher. Puree using an immersion blender (stick blender or you can do this in a regular blender) until very smooth. Taste. If the strawberries are very sweet, you won't need a sweetener, however, if the strawberries are not that sweet, add a bit of Agave Nectar or Confectioners' sugar and puree a bit more.

Fill champagne flutes 1/3 full with puree. Top with Prosecco. Serve with a strawberry garnish.

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Weekend Cocktail: Champagne Cocktails Perfect for New Year's!

There are lots of cocktails featuring Champagne and I happen to love all of them:)

For those of you with a love for the bubbly and something to celebrate, check out these Champagne cocktails, all perfect for that toast to the New Year!

Pretty Delicious: Chambord CocktailCLASSIC CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

Soak a sugar cube in Angostura bitters. Drop the cube and a twist of lemon in a Champagne flute. Top with chilled Champagne. Cheers!

MIMOSA

The perfect way to start out the New Year, a Mimosa is a must for your brunch menu. Make them by the glass for a small gathering or by the pitcher for a crowd. For one: add a splash of orange liqueur like Grand Marnier to each glass. Fill 2/3 with chilled fresh orange juice. Top with chilled Champagne. For a pitcher use a 1:5 ratio of orange juice to Champagne and stir in 1/4 cup orange liqueur.

CHAMBORD CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

Made with Chambord black raspberry liqueur and Champagne, this cocktail is as pretty and festive as it is delicious! I featured this one for New Year's last year and everyone loved it! Drop a big, juicy blackberry or raspberry into the bottom of each glass and add a shot of Chambord. Chill the Champagne and top each glass as guests arrive!  Get the recipe...

The King's Peach CocktailTHE KING'S PEACH

I created this Champagne cocktail named for the Oscar winning film The King's Speech for an Oscar party. Use fresh or frozen peaches and peach nectar... top with a little Champagne. Get the recipe... 

BELLINI

Made with peach puree or peach syrup and Prosecco, this refreshing Italian version of the Mimosa is delish! To make it easy, I always just use peach nectar you can find in the International aisle of the store and top with Prosecco which is Italian sparkling wine. Use one ounce peach nectar to four ounces Prosecco. 

KIR ROYALE

Another beauty, this classic cocktail is simply an ounce of Kir (Creme de Cassis) topped with Chilled Champagne.

POINSETTIA

A classic Southern holiday punch, this recipe is easy to make in a punchbowl for a crowd: One chilled bottle of orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Triple Sec, four bottles of chilled Champagne, and 1 large bottle of cranberry juice.

FRENCH 75

This classic cocktail is one of my favorites any time of the year. In a cocktail shaker with ice add: 1 ounce gin, 1/2 ounce each of simple syrup and lemon juice. Shake until well chilled. Pour into a chilled flute. Top with chilled Champagne.

Need some ideas for bubbly? Check out my recommendations for bubbly at all price ranges! Print it out and take it with you when you are shopping to use as a guide.

MARTIE'S TOP PICKS FOR CHAMPAGNE & SPARKLING WINE

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Weekend Cocktail: Cotton Candy Martini

One of our friends, Lea Ann from Newnan, Georgia is hosting a wonderful party tomorrow for a little boy who really needs one. I'm amazed by Lea Ann... for those who follow my Facebook page, she's Makaley's mom. Even though they have a lot on their own plate, they've made time and budget to do something wonderful for another family. Lea Ann told me she was testing cotton candy for the party tomorrow.... doesn't that sound like fun? Anyway, it made me remember this recipe. Since we've used some of the ingredients before, hopefully you'll have them on hand.

Here's to you Lea Ann! Thanks for following us and for sharing your wonderful ideas and generous spirit with all of us! Happy weekend, everyone!

COTTON CANDY MARTINI

2 ounces raspberry flavored vodka

1 ounce Chambord liqueur

splash of Grenadine

splash of Champagne, Prosecco or club soda for some fizz

If you have it- cotton candy for garnish

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, Chambord, Grenadine, and Champagne. Shake until the shaker is frosty and the cocktail is well chilled. Serve in chilled martini glasses and top with a whisp of cotton candy. Serve!

Cheers to the weekend!

More weekend cocktail recipes from Martie Knows Parties

Chambord Champagne Cocktail

The King's Peach

Strawberry Pear Sangria

Reata's CF Cherry Limeade

Classic Whiskey Sour

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The Royal Wedding: Details for Prince William & Kate's Wedding; Viewing Party Ideas

I've got to admit that I have a growing curiosity about the big day... I'm talking about the most anticipated wedding of the year; that of Prince William to Kate Middleton. It is estimated that over 2 BILLION people around the world will stop what they are doing to watch as this historic event takes place at 11am on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey and I will be one of them. I planned a little viewing party back in the day when Princess Diana married Prince Charles and I do not intend to slight the oh-so dashing William- who, I am sure, is marrying Kate only because she reminds him so much of me:) Live pre-wedding coverage begins at the following times around the USA:

New York, Atlanta: 6am (Eastern)

Chicago, Dallas: 5am (Central)

Denver, Salt Lake City: 4am (Mountain Daylight)

Phoenix: 3am (Mountain Standard)

Los Angeles: 3am (Pacific)

Details of the wedding have been closely guarded secrets; very few of the plans have been released or leaked out. What is known thus far is that Kate will arrive at Westminster Abbey by car and not by carriage. The ceremony will last for approximately an hour. After the wedding, the couple will travel by the same carriage used for the wedding of Charles and Diana to Buckingham Palace where the royal family and invited guests will enjoy a reception hosted by the Queen. Later in the evening, Prince Charles will host a wedding dinner for close friends and family at Buckingham Palace. For more details of the wedding, the history of Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and the couple, visit William and Kate's official wedding website... after all, every couple has one these days:)

ROYAL WEDDING VIEWING PARTY IDEAS

If you're planning a royal wedding viewing party to watch the actual event as it happens, a typical British breakfast is a must. Use formal china and teacups if you have them. This is the perfect occasion to drag out all of your silver trays and tiered serving pieces. The Brits are known for their eclectic and whimsical sense of style so feel perfectly free to mix and match patterns like a slightly kooky old aunt. Kate's wedding color is blue which you can incorporate in china, flowers, or linen. The English are known for their incredible gardens and every Brit I know has a bit of green they are proud to show off. Known for their roses - a bunch of any large, open roses make the perfect decorations. 

THE ENGLISH BREAKFAST: TWO WAYS

The British call the post-wedding meal a 'Wedding Breakfast' but it actually features brunch and main course dishes, not breakfast items. The culinary team at Buckingham Palace is responsible for catering the reception, which will begin with an array of cold and hot canapes for the 660 guests invited to Buckingham Palace after the ceremony. Read more and watch videos about the reception and wedding cakes from the royal wedding site...

Full English Breakfast with eggs, sausage, tomato, etcSince the wedding will happen at the crack of dawn in the US, a real breakfast menu is the perfect way to go. There are two traditional types of English breakfast menus: a 'fried' breakfast" or "Full English" features eggs, grilled sausages, which are called bangers, beans (like our baked beans), hash browns, a baked tomato and mushrooms with grilled cheese on toast on the side.

Scones with cream and jamThe other type of English breakfast includes tea with milk, scones, toast, or English muffins, jam, marmalade, butter, and fresh fruit. The Brits are known for their strawberries and cream, which always show up on the menu at Royal Ascot, Wimbledon, and posh polo matches. The symbol of love, purity, passion, and healing, the strawberry has been incorporated into English wedding breakfast since medieval times. 

Get Martie's recipe for strawberry scones...

Other typical wedding breakfast items include Buck's Fizz, similar to what we know in the USA as a Mimosa.

Buck's Fizz Recipe

Fill a champagne flute with 2 parts orange juice and top it off with one part chilled champagne. The traditional recipe calls for a drop of grenadine.

If you really want to pitch in and feel as if you are a part of the Royal Wedding, the couple has set up a charitible gift fund to help celebrate their wedding. The fund will focus on aid for five different causes that have been chosen by the couple: Conservation for future generations, aid to service personnel and their families, changing lives through arts and sports, children fulfilling their potential, and help and care at home.

Touched by the massive outpouring of good will and congratulations since their engagement, the couple asks that anyone with the desire to send them a wedding gift consider making a donation in their name to the fund.

 Learn more about the Prince William & Miss Catherine Middleton Charitable Gift Fund...

 Cheers and best wishes to William and Kate. Here's to a long and happy life together!

FOLLOW MARTIE ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE RECIPES, COCKTAILS, PARTY IDEAS, AND CONTESTS! Martie with Chanda Temple, writer for the Birmingham News

Weekend Cocktail Recipe: Chambord Champagne Cocktail

Bubbly, sparkling Champagne. There is no beverage more festive or more associated with celebrations than Champagne. And what’s New Year’s Eve without Champagne?

Photo: Arden PhotographyBut adding a mere teaspoon of raspberry liqueur to your Champagne elevates the celebration to another level. Chambord is a premium black raspberry liqueur named for the French town where it had been made since 1685 from cognac twice infused with raspberries, blackberries, and currant along with Madagascar vanilla and secret spices. Best paired with a crisp French Champagne, the color and the taste of this cocktail is joyful and jolly; everything you’d want as you ring in the New Year

A half hour before guests arrive, chill bottles of Champagne in cooler or bucket filled with one half ice, one half water. The serving temperature for Champagne should be approximately 43-48 degrees Fahrenheit.  Drop one blackberry or two raspberries in each Champagne flute and carefully add one teaspoon of Chambord onto the fruit. When guests arrive, pop the first cork and fill glasses. The golden Champagne will turn dark pink and the berries will float to the top, lifted by the effervescent bubbles.

CHEERS! HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

WANT SOME CHAMPAGNE AND SPARKLING WINE SUGGESTIONS? CHECK OUT MY TOP 11 LIST FOR 2010.... BECAUSE I COULD NOT SELECT JUST 10!