The Happiest Hour {Cup of Cheer}

This cocktail is just that, a cup of cheer! Taking inspiration from the songs of the season, this rosy red sipper is dazzling and delicious. A glass of prosecco, a splash of blood orange, and a drop of grenadine make up this spirited drink. It's perfect with holiday dinner or toasting with friends. Here's the recipe...

:: Ingredients ::
3 oz Prosecco
1 oz Blood Orange Juice
1/2 oz Grenadine
Maraschino Cherry for Garnish

:: Directions ::
Combine first 3 ingredients in champagne flute. Garnish with cherry and enjoy!

Stock the Holiday Bar

Tis the season for holiday parties! They can be such fun to attend, but if you are hosting your own it, like any other party, can get a bit overwhelming. You want to make sure all guests are pleased and have something there they enjoy, but can't tailor a menu to everybody's taste. The same goes for the bar. Some people prefer vodka over gin, whisky over scotch, craft beer over commercial styles, and champagne over wine. Either way, you want to make sure there is something there for everybody but don't want to break the bank buying everything in the liquor store. Fear no more! Here is the guide to stocking the perfect holiday bar. You won't break the bank and everybody is sure to be pleased. With these staple items guests can make the cocktail of their choosing. Happy Holiday bar stocking!

Liquors:
1 Vodka
1 Rum
1 Whisky
1 Tequila

Wines:
1 Red
1 White
1 Sparkling (Champagne, Prosecco, etc.)

Mixers:
Coke
Sprite
Sweet n' Sour
Orange Juice
Cranberry Juice

Additions:
Limes
Cherries

Indulge In {Ravioli with Prosecco Cream Sauce}

This is what happens when I plan on making dinner, don't plan on sharing it with you, and it turns out to fabulous not to. You get Instagrammed photos. I know we all love Instagram but sometimes it's not the best means of sharing images, especially on a blog. But, sometimes you have to work with what you have.

Saturday night started out pretty typical. We skipped the football game because we were unwilling to sit in the pouring rain, and had planned on ordering take out as we do most Saturdays. That was until I stumbled upon this recipe that I couldn't pass up. So, during a break in the storms, I headed to the store to gather the supplies. With a few spur of the moment ingredients added, and the quick boil of a sauce and a package of raviolis, we had quite possibly one of the best, much fancier and complicated than it sounds, meals I've ever made. The Prosecco cream sauce had just enough flavor to compliment the raviolis (I used mushroom and four cheese) without being heavy and overpowering. Plus it was super simple to make! This is the kind of dish that takes no time, but makes a big impact on guests. Here's the recipe...

:: Ingredients ::
2 Packages Store Bought Ravioli (I used mushroom four cheese.)
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Clove Garlic, minced
1 Cup Heavy Cream
1/2 Cup Prosecco
1 Tsp Tomato Paste
1/2 Cup Asiago Cheese, shredded (plus more for garnish)
Salt & Pepper to Taste

:: Directions ::
1. In a medium sauce pan, heat olive oil adding garlic one oil is hot. Sautee garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
2. Add in heavy cream, Prosecco, and tomato paste. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
3. In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook ravioli according to package directions.
4. Once sauce has simmered for about 10 minutes, add in asiago cheese and stir until melted.
5. Drain pasta and place in individual bowls. Ladle sauce over top, sprinkle with asiago cheese, and garnish with fresh or dried parsley.

*I additionally served mine with Italian seasoned grilled chicken breast.

The Pink Drink

Because there's not really a better name for it. I love my family more than anything. They are probably one of the funniest, most random groups of people you will ever meet. Living three hours away can be difficult, but they always try to include me when they can through pictures, texts, and phone calls. One Saturday night I was enjoying a relaxing evening at home with R when I get my scheduled weekend update. This one came from my aunt. It was a simple text stating that my Dad's "Pink Drink" was great. In my 23 years of existence, never has he made a "Pink Drink". Confused by this so called "great" drink I had never heard of, I was dying to know what was in it. A combination of prosecco, limoncello, and raspberry, my aunt was convinced that it was absolutely fabulous. Ever since I got that text a couple months ago, I've been dying to recreate it for myself. Of course I couldn't pass up this "great" drink recipe, and this weekend I headed off to the store to pick up the necessary ingredients. Skipping the outrageously priced raspberries, I opted instead for strawberries. With bottles, and fruit, in hand, I headed home and here's what I created...

:: Ingredients ::

6 Strawberries, pureed, plus more for garnish

Prosecco

Limoncell

:: Directions ::

1. Puree the strawberries

2. Mix one part strawberry puree, one part Limoncello, and two parts Prosecco

3. Garnish with a strawberry and Enjoy!

After a little afternoon indulgence, I realized my aunt was right. The "Pink Drink" truly is great!