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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Make it Tonight: Nutella Cookies

My friend Liz recently sent me this recipe for Nutella cookies...and it took me a few weeks to get a chance to make them. Now that I've tasted one, I wish I'd made them a lot sooner! Dark, rich and delicious with cocoa, Nutella and butter... Need I say more? For the unacquainted. Nutella is a hazelnut spread- find it in the peanut butter aisle. Warning- it is highly addictive and these these cookies will soon become one of your favorite recipes. Make them even better by making sandwich cookies with more Nutella, marshmallow fluff, or ice cream! Head's up= this recipe calls for chilling the dough for 4 hours before baking so just be prepared to allow for the chill time.

Nutella Cookies- stuff with more Nutella, marshmallow fluff or ice cream for awesome sandwich cookies:))NUTELLA COOKIES

Makes 4 dozen cookies- depending on the size

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 stick unsalted butter

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 cup Nutella

1 teaspoon vanilla

finely chopped, toasted hazelnuts

Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. Beat sugar and butter on medium speed for five minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating to fully incorporate the egg before adding the next one. Add the Nutella and vanilla; beat until combined. Chill dough four hours or overnight. The Nutella makes the dough very soft and you really need to chill it well before you bake. If you don't have time to chill for 4 hours, wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and pop it in the freezer for 1 1/2 hours before baking.

Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Use a very small ice cream scoop to insure uniform size cookies. Roll the tops and sides in the chopped hazelnuts. (you can substitute another nut like almonds if you can't find the hazelnuts) Do not get the nuts on the bottom of the cookie. Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes... more for crisp cookies and less for softer cookies. Let cookies cool on the baking sheets.

The cookies will spread as they bake so leave a bit of room between them.

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Make it Tonight: Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Brrr... there's a chill in the air and the holidays are right around the corner. No matter if you're just cuddled up in a blanket watching Christmas movies or coming in from holiday shopping, make up a mug of this fast and super rich hot chocolate! Check out the variation at the end... a shot of something extra to warm you up fast!

PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE

Makes 2 large mugs

2 1/2 cups milk (use whole or skim, whatever you like)

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

3 tablespoons sugar

6 squares (3 ounces) 60 % Cacao dark chocolate, chopped 

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

dash salt

4 peppermint candies or 2 peppermint sticks, crushed fine + 2 peppermint sticks for garnish

1/2 cup heavy cream or whipping cream

Put the candies in a plastic bag and crush them using a rolling pin or mallet. Set aside. Put the milk in a saucepan. Slowly bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve. Put the cocoa in one of the mugs. Add a bit of the hot milk and stir until it becomes smooth, adding more milk to thin it out. Add it back to the saucepan. Next, add the chopped chocolate and stir until it is completely melted. Let the chocolate heat through, stirring constantly. Add the crushed candies and stir until they are melted. Pour into mugs and drizzle a little heavy cream on the top. Garnish with a peppermint stick, whipped cream, a dusting of cocoa, marshmallows, or even more crushed candies... whatever you like and your diet can afford!

Variation: Add a shot of brandy, vanilla vodka, chocolate or white chocolate liqueur, coffee liqueur, or peppermint schnapps to your mug for some extra warmth!

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Easy Party Appetizer: Ham Delights

I first had ham delights back in the 80's when my sister-in-law made them for a holiday party. I'm not 100% sure where the recipe originally came from. I then made them for my own family and the recipe got passed around over the years. These little sandwiches make an appearance for most holiday get-togethers... even all these years later. They are so simple and perfect for a party because you can make them in advance... or even freeze them if you make up a big batch so you can have some anytime. Keep this recipe handy for tailgating season, too. Add some spicy chili or tomato soup and your friends will be happy no matter what happens with the game!

Cheesy Guilty Pleasure: Ham DelightsPARTY HAM DELIGHTS

Preheat oven to 400

Ingredients

3 packages Pepperidge Farms Party Rolls*

1 pound ham, shredded (use boiled or leftover ham of any kind)

1/2 pound Swiss cheese, finely grated

1/2 pound butter, softened

3 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard

1 small white or yellow onion

1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds

1 teaspoon Worcestershire

Salt and pepper

Dash cayenne pepper

Prep and assembly:

Prep the rolls by removing them from the tray and slicing them in half. Do not separate the individual rolls. Put the bottom back in the tray. Cover until later.

Next grate the Swiss cheese, if you did not buy the already grated kind.

Prep the ham by putting it into the food processor to shred it. Remove to a bowl.

Put the onion the food processor and finely chop. Add the butter, mustard, Worcestershire, S&P, cayenne, and the poppy seeds; whir until it is a spreadable consistency.

Leaving the bottom in the tray, spread the top and the bottom of the rolls with the mixture. Add a layer of ham and a layer of cheese. Put the top on. Dab a little butter here and there on top. Cover the entire tray with foil and wrap tightly. Bake until toasty and cheese melts.... about 20 minutes.

Slice in-between the rolls with a serrated knife and serve warm.

I've "gourmet-ed" these up by adding some unique farm cheeses... or Gouda, Gruyere, and Goat cheese is also a delicious combo!

*If you cannot find the little rolls... make this on a loaf of French bread- split in half. Wrap it in foil, bake according to the directions. To serve, slice the loaf into 1/2" slices.

Talk of the Town Nashville Summer Special: Recipes & How-To Tips

Happy 4th of July!

For those of you watching our TV special on Nashville's Talk of the Town, here are links for some of the recipes and ideas we showcased today! Scroll all the way to the bottom to see the how-to video from the show.

Infuse your summer with flavor!INFUSED LEMONADE

Take your lemonade from ordinary to extraordinary when you infuse the simple syrup with flavor. Get the recipes:

VANILLA BEAN PLANTATION LEMONADE

INFUSED SIMPLE SYRUP

For even more lemony fun, make a lemonade station for your party with lots of mix-ins and libations! Get the how-to...

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Popsicles and ProseccoPOPSICLE-PALOOZA!

Hi-tech, low tech, and low tech ways to make your own frozen treats for kids and adults this summer.

POPSICLE HOW-TO

POPSICLES AND PROSECCO

Once considered just a kiddie treat, the popsicle has gone exotic! Whether you make your own popsicles or buy them, this elegant presentation takes popsicles to a whole different level. The perfect way to end a summer dinner party or wedding reception.

Some other great homemade popsicles to make include:

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE POPS

S'MORES POPS

16 HOMEMADE POPSICLE RECIPES

Watch our how-to video from Talk of the Town!

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BACKYARD CAMPING PARTY

This one is so much fun for just about any occasion... birthday party, neighborhood party, team get-togethers, and more. It is even a fun date night. Watch the video...

This is a super inexpensive "stay-cation" for those staying home this summer. You'll feel like you went away... and best of all, your bed and the air-conditioner are just steps away!

Here's the simple recipe for the hobo packs that you can throw right on the fire or grill:

LOW COUNTRY HOBO PACKS

This is a similar taste to a one pot boil but even easier. Since shrimp cooks faster than the potatoes and the corn, it is best to pre-cook those so that you don't overcook the shrimp.

For 6

1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on

1 large onion

3 ears of corn

12 medium red potatoes

Old Bay Seasoning

2 lemons- one cut into wedges for serving

1 Beer (you can substitute water if you like)

butter

salt and pepper to taste

Parboil the potatoes and corn for a few minutes on the stove in boiling water. Do not cook completely. You just want to give them a bit of a head start so that all of the food in the pack has an equal cooking time. I usually cook the potatoes for 8 minutes and add the corn. Cook 4 more minutes and remove from the heat.

Tear large squares of aluminium foil to make the packs. Layer the potatoes, onion, corn, and shrimp. Add a dot of butter, salt, pepper, and a dash of Old Bay seasoning. Turn up the edges and add about 1/4 cup of beer to each package. Squeeze some lemon juice over the top and seal the packs well on all sides. Cook over medium coals for about 10 minutes until the shrimp are cooked. You can put these directly on the edge of a campfire, too.

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Scrapbook Paper LanternEASY TABLE DECORATIONS: SCRAPBOOK PAPER LANTERNS

Scrapbook paper sheets

Double sided tape or glue stick

Mason jars or other jar, vase, etc

Candles: floating candles, tealights, or other light source

These lanterns are so easy to make and can really dress up a table or customize any party for very little money! Since scrapbook paper comes in all colors and patterns, you really have endless options. Here's the how to:

Get a sheet of scrapbook paper. If it is thick, you'll want to cut in some designs so light will shine through. If the paper is thin or you use vellum, you don't need to cut in a design. You can use a hole punch or a paper cutter- or a utility knife.

Use a glue stick or double faced tape along the edge of the back side of the paper to form the paper into a cylinder.

Put the light source into the jar. For tealights or candles, I like to put sand in the bottom to keep the candle off the bottom of the jar. This is a great use for floating candles or even glo-sticks.

Place the paper cylinder over the jar.... and you have a customized lantern!

 Custom banner made of flags and ribbonCUSTOMIZED BANNERS

This is one of the easiest ways to dress up any area in your party colors.  Using flags, ribbon, or scrapbook paper, simply make a pretty line of color to decorate a fence, a tent, or patio.

For the paper banners, fold over to make a triangle. Fold over a piece of clothesline, twine, rope, or string. Secure with a piece of Velcro or double stick tape. I like using a Velcro dot so I can use these over and over again; sometimes in different color combinations! You can make these directional banners or signs, too by lettering them... lots of fun and very affordable.

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