Happy Thirsty Thursday! GINSANITY CHAPTER X: You can never sparkle too much {Elderflower Citrus Sparkler}

Elderflower Sparkler

Happy New Year.  LOL.  I don't think I ever said that.  I am cautiously optimistic for 2013. 
Happy Thirsty Thursday... 1st one for the year.
Even though I'm on a diet for another 15 lbs [at least]I still enjoy my special cocktail treats.  This one was very special indeed, combining all of my favorite things and looking SOOOOOO pretty.

What is it? I called it an Elderflower Sparkler.  It was sweet & citrus-y with a hint of pine needles.... Florida at Christmas :)

WHAT YOU NEED:

3 slices/rounds each of orange, lemon & lime

1 & 1/2 ounce lemon OR Orange not so simple syrup

1 ounce gin

1 ounce St. Germaine

Ice

3 ounces Champagne {brut}

St~Germaine, Gin & Champagne
Can you go wrong?

WHAT YOU DO:

GENTLY Muddle 1 slice orange, lime and lemon with not so simple syrup in a shaker [do half of each flavor if you have them on hand!]. Add gin, St. Germaine and a little ice. Shake well and strain into glass.

Pack with ice and top with Champagne garnish with remaining fruit. Sip & Stir.  Repeat.

ENJOY [you are welcome]

THIRSTY THURSDAY {Fruit & Flowers Sparkler}

Meet my Thursday.... this is my daughter's Middle School Orchestra.  It was a field trip today.  I try not to miss because I know these days are coming to an end but this one was pretty hellish.  We had to be at the school at 7 a.m. so we could travel WITH the Chorus AND the Band to visit and perform at 4 Elementary Schools in the area.  Two school buses packed full, a U-haul full of instruments & music stands and about 80 kids all told in 90 degree heat.  Unloading, slepping, watching them perform, packing up, riding in the bus to the next school and then doing it all over {and over again}.  Don't get me wrong the kids were AWESOME.  Well mannered, helpful and performed incredibly but I'm an OLD WOMAN and I am whooped {and Rebecca forgot the flask!}.  

So, I'm THIRSTY.  But it's all good because it's Thirsty Thursday and I'm enjoying a lovely cool cocktail.  I'm calling it the Fruit & Flower Sparkler and it is YUMMY AND REFRESHING.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED:

1 & 1/2 ounces St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur
1 & 1/2 ounces pomegranate juice
4 fresh strawberries sliced
4-5 ounces Brut Champagne


HERE'S WHAT YOU DO:
Add everything but the Champagne in your processor {I used my Magic Bullet of course} and puree then add to glass, fill with ice and top with Champagne.


AHHHHH, it's Friday soon but this will hold you over :)


p.s. have you gotten a Magic Bullet yet?  You deserve one.... summers here.... frozen drinks in a snap ~

You knew this was coming..... {Elderflower Mojito}

Elderflower Mojito

I'm not going to lie, I've been thinking of this since I bought my St~Germain.  I just needed mint.... and apparently someone to get it for me.  Well, it all came together today.  Thanks Barbie for the mint and the Fluff for Kyra.  All is well.  Wish you coulda stayed for a maiden Mojito.... you'll have to come back.
So, here's what you need
1 1/2 oz. white rum {I used Bacardi}
1 oz St~Germain
1 oz Simple Syrup
8 mint leaves
4 lemon slices halved

Muddle to perfection
fill appropriate glass with ice
top with 2 oz club soda and.... you know, AHHHH

p.s.  I've finally remembered to put an order in with Farmer PopPop to grow mint.... I mean my mint bill annually is akin to a utility bill, we need to grow it  

Think Paris 1947 {St. Germain Cocktail}

St~Germain Elderflower

I bought a bottle of St~Germain Elderflower Liqueur and I think WE are going to have a lot of fun experimenting.  St~Germain is a 40 Proof liqueur made from Elderflowers picked in the French Alps.... my particular elderflowers were picked in 2011 as indicated on a sticker on the bottle {that my blogger would not upload a picture of for some reason!!!}. Anyhow, at first sip I'd definitely say 2011 was a great year for elderflowers.  Elderflowers are white {not purple like my picture} but I didn't have time to go to the Alps prior to posting this blog I am so darn EXCITED to tell you about this.

As I begin my elderflower journey,  it made sense to start with their "signature" cocktail, The St~Germain Cocktail.

I AM IN LOVE.

Think of all things delicate and beautiful, then add ice and a slice of lemon. yup.  you are there.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

2 parts	Champagne {I used Prosecco}
1½ parts	St~Germain
2 parts	Club Soda

WHAT YOU DO:

Stir ingredients in a tall ice-filled Collins glass {I used a big wine glass}, mixing completely. Garnish with lemon.

Heaven.