It’s time for another great cocktail – one that combines some of my favorite things.

The first is Rosé vodka.  I discovered this last summer and was immediately in love with it. There are a lot of flavored vodkas out there and this one tastes a bit like rosé wine. Yet unlike many flavored vodkas, this one is not overpowering; it’s subtle.  And it’s completely drinkable on its own on ice. And bonus, if you are watching your calories. (But warning… vodka has more alcohol so don’t let the taste fool you into consuming as much as you would drinking wine.)

Compari is a lovely red Italian bitter, with notes of orange peel and other fruits. It’s strong and could be off-putting for some. That’s why if you think it’s too strong for your tastes I recommend its orange counterpart, Aperol, which is a bit sweeter.  Either way, these lovely Italian bitters go well with a lot of things as mixers. You’ll love having them in your home bar to experiment.

And the combination here, along with some prosecco, is so wonderful! It’s a go-t0 for brunch and warm summer evenings by the pool.

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Rosé Sparkler

Prep Time5 mins

Course: Drinks

Keyword: cocktails, happy hour

Servings: 1

Ingredients

• ¼ cup Rosé Vodka
• ⅛ cup Campari or Aperol
• ½ cup Prosecco

Instructions

• Combine vodka and Compari or Aperol in a cocktail shaker with ice.
• Mix.
• Pour in glass with ice.
• Top with Prosecco.

Nothing says summer to me than blackberries. Growing up close to rural areas, my grandparents would take my sisters and I to drive along the roads to find blackberry bushes to pick. And pick we did. (And of course at more than a few while picking.)  My grandmother would turn most into the taste of summer: blackberry jam. To this day, I taste blackberry jam and think of her.

But blackberries make more than jam. They’re great on salads, in pancakes and muffins, in yogurt, and especially in this Blackberry Basil Sparkler.

It’s an amazing versatile drink as well. Don’t have blackberries, try raspberries or watermelon. Or not keen on basil? Switch it out with mint or thyme. Whatever you do, make sure you have enough for more than one; you’re going to like it that much!

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Sparkling Blackberry Basil Cocktail

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time5 mins

Course: Drinks

Keyword: cocktails, happy hour

Ingredients

• 8-10 large fresh or frozen blackberries
• 3 tbsp. fresh basil, torn
• ¼ cup honey, preferably local
• ¼ cup water
• 4 oz. Elderflower liqueur (optional)
• 750 ml bottle Prosecco, chilled
• Fresh blackberries for garnish (optional)
• Springs of fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

• Add the blackberries, basil, honey, and water to a small saucepan set over medium heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture is heated through and starts to thicken, approximately 4-5 minutes. Gently press on blackberries while heating to release juices.
• Remove from heat and strain mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove solids. Reserve remaining liquid and set aside to cool.
• If using, divide the Elderflower liqueur among four champagne flutes, along with a drizzle of the blackberry simple syrup. Finish by topping off each glass with some chilled Prosecco.
• Garnish each glass with 2-3 fresh blackberries and a sprig of fresh basil, if desired, before serving. Enjoy!

Summer is (unofficially) here. And after being indoors for so long, it’s time to celebrate. That’s why every Friday until the Labor Day holiday in the US, I’ll be sharing a Happy Hour cocktail for you to celebrate the warm weekend ahead.

This week we start with a party favorite: Ginger Mint Spiked Lemonade. It’s refreshing and addicting, so be careful. (Or make it sans alcohol by substituting water for the vodka.)

You can always justify the drinking of this because there are some great benefits. Both lemon and ginger have antioxidants and help boost overall immunity and digestive health. Ginger is a natural antibacterial and antiviral that helps fight infections in the body. And lemons are a great source of vitamin C and other nutrients.

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Ginger Mint Spiked Lemonade

Perfect for a summer evening

Prep Time1 hr 30 mins

Cook Time1 hr

Course: Drinks

Keyword: ginger, happy hour, lemonade, lemons, mint, vodka

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

• ½ cup chopped mint
• ½ cup chopped peeled ginger
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 750- ml bottle lemon-flavored vodka
• 2 cups fresh lemon juice
• Lemon slices
• mint leaves

Instructions

• Bring mint, ginger, sugar, and 2 cups water to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat, whisking to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat and let sit 1 hour. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring glass or a small bowl; let ginger-mint syrup cool completely. Cover and chill until cold, at least 30 minutes.
• Combine vodka, lemon juice, ginger-mint syrup, and 4 cups water in a punch bowl and stir well.
• Ladle spiked lemonade into ice-filled glasses and garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves.

Last time, we explored some of the well-known wine regions in Europe. Today, let’s focus on some others from around the globe.

Argentina

Argentina is said to be the fifth-largest wine region and continues to grow each year. One of the best-known wine regions is Mendoza and is known for its Malbec. San Juan is considerably hotter and drier than Mendoza and is known for its Syrah and Douce noir. La Rioja was one of the earliest wine regions in the country, cultivated by Spanish missionaries.

Australia

Vineyard Kangaroo

Wine is produced in every state in Australia, though the more well-known regions can be found in the southern, cooler parts of the country. The country produces a wide range of varieties (due to the vast climatic and topographic differences) but is best known for Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Portugal

Portugal has 14 distinct wine regions which grow a wide array of grape varieties. The largest region is Alentejo, which is known for both its cork production and its dry red wines. The Douro Valley is a wine region that is protected by UNESCO, and is famous for its fortified Port wines, as well as non-fortified varieties known as “Duoro Reds”.

South Africa

South Africa is known for its excellent Chenin Blanc. (One of my favorites.) The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley also produces Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays in its much cooler climate.  As a side note, South Africa is also the largest producer of brandy in the world.

Chile

Chile is the seventh-largest producer of wines. The Atacama region in the north is famous for its brandy-like Pisco, while the Aconcagua and Casablanca valleys are known for producing red Carménère and Shiraz, as well as Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay. The Maipo Valley is known for its excellent Cabernet Sauvignon.

New Zealand

Wine-making in New Zealand dates back to the early 19th century. The largest region, Marlborough, is famous for its Sauvignon Blanc, which make up almost three-quarters of the country’s entire wine production. (Trust me. I am addicted to this wine!) Another major region is Canterbury, known for its Pinot Noir.

Next time, I will be taking on the United States. (And there is so much more to the US wine-making than Napa and Sonoma!)