Champagne (need I say more)?

      A woman should never be seen eating or drinking, unless it be lobster salad and Champagne, the only true feminine and becoming viands. 

      Lord Byron

I don't agree with ol' Lord Byron on the exclusivity of this statement, as I think a woman should be seen eating or drinking any food she darn well pleases... as long as she is using her proper manners - this is the South, y'know. ;o)  However, I do agree with the passion for Champagne that his comment reveals. 

I think just about any occasion is made all-the-more so when you pour a pretty, sparkling glass of bubbly.  Personally, I have two favorite ways to enjoy Champagne: either with a splash of Chambord Liqueur or in a fruity, tangy, and slightly sweet Champagne punch. 

First, let's discuss Chambord.  If you've not had the pleasure, Chambord Liqueur is a rich, raspberry-flavored liqueur that is a delicious addition to many drinks, especially those with Champagne or Vodka in them.  Like most liqueurs, Chambord is sweet and cuts the bitterness of the main alcoholic ingredient.  And being French, it naturally comes in an ornate and eye-catching bottle.  Speaking of, the manufacturer recently changed the bottle's design.  It's gorgeous and more sleek, but I do love the old design as well.  (And I am so very glad that I had a bottle on our bar before the bottle design was updated)!  That tiny crown on the bottle cap gets me every time.  But who wouldn't love the little touch of royalty that the Chambord bottle adds?  No woman I know, I dare say!  ;o)

the old design - traditional yet charming, no?



The new design - check out the pretty new labels and trellis-design on the bottle neck.  I like!



If you have never tried adding this delicious black raspberry concoction to your favorite bubbly (mine is Veuve Clicquot, mmmmmm), you simply must.  It's super easy (just pour in, the exact amount is just a matter of taste) and enjoy.  Pop in a raspberry or a blackberry for a garnish.  In addition to tasting good, it also gives your glass of Heaven a beautiful pink glow.  Perfection.

Second, let me tell you about my second favorite punch to serve to my guests, especially my female guests (although let me tell you, your male guests will drink a pitcher or punch bowl of this one dry as well).  And the only reason that this punch is my second favorite is because, at this point in my cocktailing and culinary experiences, I have yet to find an alcoholic punch that I like more or serve more often than my beloved Beer Punch.  But I digress.

This recipe, which I nabbed at the always helpful and on-point website allrecipes.com, is one of my go-to's for several reasons.  First, it is delicious.  Recently, I've served this Champagne punch at my son's Sip 'n See, at our family's Christmas Brunch, and at another holiday gathering we hosted.  In fact, it was such a hit with our neighbors at the Sip 'n See that one of the ladies on the committee for the Avondale Estates Christmas Tour of Homes got the recipe from me and we served it at the Pre-Tour Kick-off party.  (See pictures of our house on the Tour here). 

And not only is this a yummy recipe, it can be doctored up in a variety of ways to make it seasonally appropriate.  At the Sip 'n See, we garnished it with citrus fruits, mint, and strawberries and served it in a large drink dispenser.  On Christmas, I adjusted the recipe slightly (adding in a little extra cranberry juice concentrate) to give the punch a redder hue.  I also added in cranberries instead of strawberries.  Obviously, the possibilities are many.

Find the recipe below, or at the website here.  And be careful - this is one that's taste lets you get carried away a smidge quickly.  :o)

Happy cocktailing!

xoxo
Lindsay

Champagne Punch

Prep Time:
10 Min

Ready In:
10 Min

Ingredients

• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen cranberry juice concentrate
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate
• 1 (6 ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate
• 1 (750 milliliter) bottle white wine, chilled
• 1 liter carbonated water, chilled
• 2 (750 milliliter) bottles champagne, chilled
• 1 lemon - sliced, for garnish
• 1/2 cup fresh mint, garnish

Directions

1. In large punch bowl, combine the cranberry juice concentrate, pink lemonade concentrate, limeade concentrate, white wine, club soda and champagne. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves.