A little refreshment?

As part of my birthday weekend in Napa, Marissa, Julia and I went champagne tasting at Domaine Chandon. We toured the winery and were amazed by the stainless steel tanks that hold thousands of gallons of champagne during the first aging process. Apparently the carbon dioxide emitted during the first fermentation in late fall is enough to make people pass out! Because "champagne" is reserved to wine produced in the Champagne region of France, anything made here is called sparkling wine made in the "methode champagnoise" (champagne method). But it's bubbly and delicious and Chandon definitely makes a fantastic bottle :) Our tour concluded with a champagne cocktail lesson, where we learned to mix three different drinks with champagne. I knew I had to share, especially the last one, even though it's not technically "baked." After a glass of one of these drinks, I think you'll forgive me :)





Classic Champagne Cocktail
Slightly spicy and bitter - a nice contrast to the sweetness of the champagne

Pour a small amount of champagne into a glass, then place a sugar cube on top of an absinthe spoon over the glass. Saturate the sugar cube with bitters (4-5 drops). Pour more champagne over the sugar cube to fill the glass, then drop in the sugar and stir to dissolve some of the sugar. Enjoy!

Love Potion 29
Named for Highway 29 that runs through Napa Valley. Not strongly flavored but very pretty and a nice refreshing hint of rose.

Place a hibiscus flower in the bottom of a champagne flute, then fill with champagne. Add 1 drop of rose water. Simple!








Ginger-Lime Mojito
Hands down the best drink I have ever had. If you want to do it the traditional way with white rum, add some club soda or ginger ale to keep it light and bubbly.

Place a few sprigs of mint and a couple of slices of lime in the bottom of a highball glass. Add a small amount of champagne and muddle to release the juice from the mint and lime. Add a splash of ginger juice, a squirt of agave nectar, and about 1/2 oz of ginger liqueur (Domaine de Canton). Stir gently. Be prepared to have your mind blown.