Sparklers, Sangria plus a Miracle on Bourbon St.

A Toast to the Holidays! Live, Laugh & Loaf.

I'm feeling SUPER special today because my lame cooking blog is getting some attention! A PR agency (from New York City!) sent me pics and recipes for holiday cocktails.

Sparklers!

Yeah, yeah, I'm being a little facetious. It's easy to become overly-sensitive when you live in Utah, where no booze is allowed to cross state lines. (Bye-bye free samples.) Where everyone just assumes you're a hick. Even when you're not.

I used to work in New York. Produced many a television commercial there. Not always by choice! As low woman on the totem pole, I got saddled with a December TV production project every single year. Because my boss.. and, my boss's boss... and, my boss's boss's boss much preferred to stay home for the holidays.

But, enough about that. Manhattan is a magical place at Christmas time. So, I was delighted to see these very clever uptown concoctions. Ideal for the many parties we've been invited to.

Sparklers!

• 4 oz. VOGA Sparkling Pinot Grigio
• 1 oz. Vodka
• .5 oz. Raspberry Liqueur
• .5 oz. Soho Lychee Liqueur

* It's practically impossible to substitute the unique flavor of Lychee, an exotic Asian fruit. (To get close, mimic a combo of grapes, strawberries and watermelon.)
** If you have never tried a sparkling Pinot Grigio before, you might be surprised. Less sweet than champagne. Delightful.

Sangria

Sangria!

• 2 bottles VOGA Merlot (Or, try an old vine Zinfandel)
• 1 cup pomegranate juice
• 1/3 cup Triple Sec (orange-flavored liqueur)
• 1 blood orange (cut into sections)
• 1 very tart apple (cut into sections)
• 1 cup of cherries
• 1/4 cup fresh pomegranate seeds
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick

Let this percolate in your refrigerator overnight, allowing plenty of time for the fruit flavors to blend.

Miracle on Bourbon Street

• 1 sugar cube
• 4 dashes of angostura bitters
• 1/2 shot of bourbon
• Top up with VOGA Premium Sparkling Pinot Grigio

Midnight Kiss

Midnight Kiss

• 2 oz. VOGA Italia Sparkling
• 1 oz. apple cider
• .5 oz. ginger vodka
• Juice from ½ lemon
• 1 apple (sliced)

VOGA is a collection of Italian wines, very reasonably priced, all quite tasty. Bottled as such to attract attention. Will it work? I dunno. Especially with the name VOGA, which sounds like vodka... and a bottle that looks like vodka. Well, I'm stumped. And, slightly relieved I don't have to produce their t.v. commercials.

But, who cares? Wow your buds with some clever uptown libations. 'Tis the season.