If you didn’t plan early, making reservations at the restaurant of your choice can be quite a challenge. Speaking from personal experience, even with a reservation, spending an hour waiting to be seated during the “night of love” is a common experience. Choosing to spend the “love fest” indoors is an excellent option. The two of you, a soft, low-burning fire, meats, fruits, cheeses and a selection of your favorite cocktails and sparkling wines is much more romantic than a room filled with strangers. The possibilities are endless.
This year I am setting the scene for an unforgettable Valentine’s Evening, with Le Grand Courtâge, a new luxurious, yet affordable sparkling wine that offers a French cachet and elegance. Since Valentine’s Day is on a Friday this year, I am adding a few delicious sparkling wine cocktails just in case you decide to spend the entire weekend “in”.
Frothy Lemon Sorbetto
- 2 cups lemon sorbet, softened
- 2 tablespoons vodka
- 1/3 cup sparkling wine or Italian Prosecco wine, chilled
- zest of one lemon
- Chill 4 champagne flutes.
- In a bowl, whisk lemon ice cream until smooth. Gradually whisk in the vodka and sparkling wine or Prosecco, by hand only. Do not whisk until it becomes liquid. Pour mixture into a pitcher and serve immediately in chilled champagne flutes, tall glasses, or goblets. Sprinkle lemon zest on top. Serve with small spoons.
The French 75
- 1-1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) gin
- 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) triple sec (I used Cointreau)
- 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) simple syrup (recipe follows)
- 1/3 ounce (2 teaspoons) fresh lemon juice champagne (or dry sparkling wine or cava), chilled
In a cocktail shaker, mix 4 or 5 ice cubes and the gin, triple sec, simple syrup and lemon juice. Shake until thoroughly blended and chilled. Strain mixture into 2 champagne flutes. Top off with champagne
Pamplemousse Royal by Gooseberry Mooseberry
- 1 bottle pink bubbly
- Red grapefruit
- 3 oz vodka
- 1 oz agave syrup
Method and Instruction please visit Gooseberry Mosseberry
In addition to its distinctive taste, the appeal of Le Grand Courtâge lies in its philosophy, ‘Embrace Life. Dream Big. Accept all Invitations.’ The aim is to encourage people to find joy in life’s simple pleasures and change the luxury, special occasion mentality of ‘champagne’ by offering a product with an exceptional value which is sure to impress.
You can find additional recipes for romance at Le Grand Courtage
Great ideas. I’m digging the sorbeto.