You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday!!!

Summer is days away Dolls, and if you’re like me you are feverishly working on a beach ready body. The challenge, great food from graduation parties and cookouts can curtail the best laid workout regimes. We all know that burgers and adult beverages equals calories; but what’s a Doll to do? I stumbled upon these low-cal cocktail suggestion from Town & Country, added the recipes and thought they could be perfect for Champagne Sunday! Peep mixology!

Classic Bloody Mary. At 125 calories, this is a cocktail that doesn’t need to be tweaked since it’s already fairly healthy. “The tomato juice offers a lot of vitamins and minerals, and the celery stick gives you some fiber.”

drink-recipes-bloody-mary-07-pg-full

Ingredients.

  • Celery salt
  • 1 Lemon wedge
  • 1 Lime wedge
  • 2 oz Premium Vodka
  • 4 oz Tomato juice
  • 2 dashes Tabasco Sauce
  • 2 tsp Prepared horseradish
  • 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 pinch Celery salt
  • 1 pinch Ground black pepper
  • 1 pinch Smoked paprika

Garnish: Celery stalk and lime wedge

The Mixology. Pour some celery salt onto a small plate. Rub the juicy side of the lemon or lime wedge along the lip of a pint glass. Roll the outer edge of the glass in celery salt until fully coated. Fill with ice and set aside. Squeeze the lemon and lime wedges into a shaker and drop them in. Add the remaining ingredients and fill with ice. Shake gently and strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with a celery stalk and a lime wedge.

Gimlet. “This is really just gin or vodka on the rocks with tons of fresh lime juice and sometimes fresh mint, too. Bartenders occasionally put simple syrup in it but you don’t need it. The drink doesn’t require the sugar if you have lots of fresh lime juice.”

077 gimlet

Ingredients.

  • 2.5 oz Gin
  • .5 oz Lime juice

Garnish: Lime wheel

The Mixology. Add all the ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass or an Old Fashioned glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Margarita. “Tequila on the rocks with fresh lime juice, Cointreau, and a splash of soda. Skip the sugary mixers.”

Margarita-new

Ingredients.

  • .75 oz Fresh lime juice
  • 1 oz  Cointreau or triple sec
  • 1.5 oz Blanco tequila

Garnish: Lime wheel

The Mixology. Add the ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass or rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel. (For a slightly sweeter drink, add a dash of agave syrup—one part water, two parts agave nectar—before shaking.)

Dark and Stormy. “Use just a splash of ginger beer (consider using the diet version of Gosling’s if you’re mixing this up at home) with dark rum, a splash of lime juice, fresh lime, and fresh ginger, which has good anti-inflammatory benefits.

dark-n-stormy

Ingredients.

  • 1.5 oz Gosling’s Black Seal Rum
  • Stormy Ginger Beer or other ginger beer
  • 1 splash of lime juice

Garnish: Lime wedge

The Mixology. Fill a tall glass with ice and add the rum. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Moscow Mule. “This is a good equivalent to the Skinnygirl Margarita for guys. Just use vodka, fresh lime juice, and mint leaves with lots of ice and a splash of ginger beer (I don’t think you need sugar or simple syrup).”

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Ingredients.

  • 2 oz Vodka
  • 3 oz Ginger beer
  • Juice of half a lime

Garnish: Lime wheel.

The Mixology. Add all the ingredients to a Moscow Mule mug or highball glass filled with ice and garnish with a lime wheel.

There you have it; cocktail recipes that will keep your beach body goals in tact! Happy Champagne Sunday! Chin! Chin!

Until Then,

L.

The Pretty Domestic

 

 

 

You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday!

Hi Dolls! I’ve been away for a minute. The hubby and I went on a mini-vacay to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where we stayed at La Posada Resort and Spa. If you are ever planning a trip to the Southwest, La Posada is really a wonderful resort property. And Dolls, the spa is to die for! I selected the Osmosis Medi Facial, which didn’t disappoint.

But I digress. We’re back and are full swing in Memorial Day weekend activities and cookouts. But a memorable cookout is incomplete without a great lemonade, with a “pretty domestic” twist. Here is an “adult” lemonade cocktail that your friends will be sure love.

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Champagne Lemonade

Ingredients
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice
  • 1 bottle Champagne or sparkling wine
  • Thin lemon slices, for garnish
Directions

Put the sugar and 1 cup water into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil. Cook for 1 minute until the sugar has dissolved, turn off the heat, and allow the sugar syrup to cool.

In a pitcher combine the cooled sugar syrup with the lemon juice and remaining 2 cups water and mix well. Fill a Champagne flute halfway with the lemonade and top with Champagne. Garnish with a lemon slice. Yields 8 cocktails. Chin Chin!

Happy Memorial Day!

Until Then,

L.

The Pretty Domestic

 

 

 

You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday!

Today’s Champagne Sunday recipe is not your traditional champagne cocktail. It’s the drink I was having when my husband proposed to me. I’ve only seen it on the menu at one lounge, Pazo’s; but, I order it every time we go there for cocktails. It’s called La Vie En Rose, and I guess for sentimental reasons, it’s really is my favorite drink, but I’m renaming it, “The Proposal.” Peep the mixology below.

The Proposal

La Vie En Rose

 Ingredients.

  • Moscato d’Asti
  • Soho Lychee Liqueur
  • Rose Water
  • Fresh Rose Petal

Chin, Chin!

Until Then,

L.

The Pretty Domestic

 

 

 

 

 

You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday!!!

Last week I traveled to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for business. It was super cold and windy when my business colleagues and I arrived, making the idea of venturing outside of the hotel for dinner a non-starter. Luckily, The Colcord Hotel had a restaurant attached, Flint, which made our dinner decision easy.

Dinner was great, but the piece-de-resistance was my St. Germain Champagne Cocktail. It really was wondeful. So much so, that I called the restaurant for the recipe when I returned home, knowing that it would be my next featured drink on Champagne Sunday. Peep the mixology.

St. Germain Champagne Cocktail

StG

Ingredients.

  • 1/4 oz. St. Germain
  • 1/4 oz. lemon juice
  • 1/4 oz. simple syrup
  • 1/2 oz. Hendrick’s Gin
  • Top with your favorite champagne

I hope that you enjoy it as much as I. Chin, chin!

Until Then,

L.

The Pretty Domestic

 

 

You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday!

Hey Dolls! Happy Sunday! Today’s Champagne Sunday is not the usual champagne cocktail recipe. I ran across these goodies in a magazine and thought they were too cute (in a kitschy kind of way) not to post. They’re Stack Wines. What are Stack Wines you ask? Well, they’re stackable, single servings of California wines. Each sleeve contains four, 187ml “stackables,” equivalent to a 750ml bottle of wine.  Apparently, you unzip the sleeve, unsnap the glasses, peel back the foil and sip.

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Now quite frankly, I am skeptical of the quality of a wine that comes in a zip sleeve with an aluminum lid, but I imagine these little numbers would be quite convenient for locations where glass containers are not allowed ~ the beach, an outdoor concert, and some tailgate party locations.

Stack Wines has also received a great deal of press ~ Food Network and Real Simple Magazines, Cosmo (I wonder would HGB dare try Stack), InTouch, OK!, The LA Times and the New York Times.

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Images: Stack Wines

I’m sure the reviews are mixed. I still love the aesthetic of a beautiful bottle of wine on the bar, and consider myself a wine snob; but I am willing to give Stack a try. Would you?

Until Then,

L.

The Pretty Domestic

You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday!

It’s Champagne Sunday, and I’m sure you are not surprised that today’s champagne cocktail is a nod to the 86th Annual Academy Awards. I love the actual ceremony, but am more excited for the E! Live from the Red Carpet arrivals. While you are eyeing the gowns and jewels, why not sip on a “Starlet.” Could there be a more apropos name?!

The Starlet

The Starlet

Image: thehamptons.com

  • 50 oz. Remy Martin VSOP
  • .50 oz. Cointreau
  • 1 Sugar Cube
  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • Top with chilled hhampagne

Directions. Build all ingredients in a chilled champagne flute.  Garnish with a long lemon twist.

Chin Chin!

I’ll be back tomorrow with my “Red Carpet Wrap.”

Until Then,

L.

The Pretty Domestic

You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday …

Hey Dolls! Welcome to Champagne Sunday, the 2014 Olympics Edition!

The Opening Ceremonies commenced Friday night with much pomp and circumstance; and Sage Kostenburg won the first USA Gold Medal on Saturday for Slopestyle Snowboarding. What better way to celebrate Champagne Sunday, than to sip on a libation that pays homage to the spirit of the games. Chin! Chin!

Gold Medal Martini

Ingredients

1.5 oz Old Tom Gin
0.5 oz Dolin Blanc Vermouth
2-3 large ice cubes
Edible gold stars

Recipe

1. Place ice, gin and vermouth in a mix glass. Add ice and stir 40 times to get very chilled.

2. Strain into a martini glass and add gold stars as a garnish.

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Image: Cupcakes and Cashmere

“Citius ~ Altius ~ Fortius … Higher ~ Faster ~ Stronger.” Go USA!

Until Then,

~ L.

The Pretty Domestic

You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday … The SAG Edition

Today’s Champagne Sunday is a nod to the SAG Awards Red Carpet; so aptly named, why not try “Gina’s Red Carpet Cocktail.”

Red Carpet Cocktail

Image: Food Network

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups vodka, chilled
  • 1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice, chilled
  • 1/2 cup lime juice
  • 1 bottle Champagne or other sparkling white wine
  • Chilled maraschino cherries, for garnish

Directions. Add 1 1/2 ounces of the vodka to each champagne flute. Top with 1 1/2 ounces of the pomegranate juice and 1 tablespoon of the lime juice. Add the Champagne or sparkling wine and a cherry to each flute for a sweet garnish. Salut!

RED CARPET RECAP

My initial observation, the SAGs didn’t bring as much glamour and glam as the Golden Globes; but still there were some standouts. Let’s go.

THE MANI CAM

My fav was Miss Lupita. The gold Deborah Lippmann polish, paired with the Fred Leighton ring, against the turquoise Gucci gown was simply beautiful.

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Image: E! Online

WHO ARE YOU WEARING?

Sarah Hyland. Pretty and fresh was the first thought that came to mind when I saw this young Hollywood starlet. I love the strapless light pink/blush Pamella Roland, with the gathered empire waist. What you don’t see is that the dress has pockets! I love pockets. The dress works well with the Jimmy Choo’s and the Neil Lane clutch. Also, loving the deep part, side sweep hair a la Veronica Lake.

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Image: E! Online

Gretchel Mol. I only caught a brief glimpse of Gretchen Mol as she arrived on the red carpet; but loved her dress. Not everybody can pull off white, but she does it well. This J. Mendel with the mesh top is modern and clean.

20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards - Arrivals

Image: becauseiamfabulous.com

The Big O! Oprah Winfrey looked FABULOUS! She was wearing that deep purple Badgley Mischka! And, love the big hair! She is indeed the queen of all media!

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Image: Onetheredcarpet.com

Camila Alves. Mrs. McConaughey was simply gorgeous in this jeweled-toned vintage Donna Karan Atelier. She looked absolutely statuesque and stunning!

camila alves

Image: FashionAwards.com

Lupita Nyong’o. This Doll is batting 100% this awards season. The turquoise Gucci silk crepe column dress, with embellished collar was sick! So far, she can do no wrong in my book.

Lupita

Image: BellaNaija

AND THE WINNER IS!!!

Kerry Washington. I chose soon-to-be Mommy, Mrs. Asomugha, because she was an absolute risk-taker last night in custom Prada. Most Dolls would stay away from showing their baby bump, but not Kerry. I loved the pink sequined cropped top, with the high-waisted black skirt. The cute bun and black satin headband were perfect. The Twitter-verse lit up with comments. I loved it.

Kerry

Inmage: Hollywood Reporter

THE OLD GUARD

Two of my favorite actors looked grand last night and earned a well-deserved “shout out!” They gave old Hollywood glamour! Standing ovation for Michael Douglas (even with the scruffy beard) and Dame Helen Mirren.

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Image: E! Online

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Image: Perez Hilton

There you have it; my SAG Edition of Champagne Sunday! Who caught your eye last night?

Until Then,

~ L.

The Pretty Domestic

You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday!

Many of us, in quest to be healthier in 2014, have limited our alcohol intake. We all know that alcohol equals calories. But this week’s Champagne Sunday combines the best of both worlds ~ a little healthy, mixed with a little fun!

Sparkling Champagne Smoothie

Sparkling Champagne Smoothie

Image: Sur La Table

Ingredients:

  • 1 c. plain or fruit flavored yogurt
  • 2 c. fresh or frozen fruit of choice
  • pinch freshly grated nutmeg
  • 6 oz. chilled champagne

Directions. This recipe is for a blender with standard 64 oz container. Place yogurt, fruit, and nutmeg into the blender in the order listed and secure lid. Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to High. Blend for 30 seconds or until desired consistency is reached. Pour into champagne flutes, filling ¾ full. Top off with champagne and gently stir to combine.

Here’s a toast to your good health!

Until Then,

~ L.

The Pretty Domestic

You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday …

Christmas is all about the glitz and sparkle. There is nothing better this time of year when sitting back and taking in the beauty of your holiday decorations than a “glass of sparkle.” But don’t think that you have to drink it as is, there are so many options for enjoying your favorite Champagne, Prosecco or Cava. Here’s one with a name that is fitting for the season ~

Christmas in a Glass

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Image: Food Network

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle Prosecco, or other sparkling dry white wine, well chilled
  • 1 bottle gingerbread flavored syrup (or cranberry flavored syrup)

Directions. Pour the Prosecco into glasses. Add a capful of the syrup to each glass of the Prosecco, to taste.

As an extra special treat on Champagne Sunday, our very own clean eating expert, Nicole Nichelson, is sharing with us her annual Nik’s 12 Days of Cocktails. We are a couple days behind, so we will use today to catch up. But for the next 10 days, you can enjoy a festive holiday cocktail with your family or to select one of her swanky libations to serve at your holiday soiree. Click the links to peep the mixology.

Nik’s 12 Days of Cocktails ~ Day 1

Pomegranate Pear Holiday Punch

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Nik’s 12 Days of Cocktails ~ Day 2

12 Days of Cocktails_2

Nik’s 12 Days of Cocktails ~ Day 3

 Mulled Wine

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Leave a comment and let us know which recipes you tried, and which is your favorite. Chin Chin!

PS ~ It’s not too late to enter the Pretty Domestic Stella & Dot Holiday Jewelry Give-Away. The winner will be announced on Wednesday! Bon Chance!

Until Then,

~ L.

The Pretty Domestic