Spring Aperitifs

Many of us travelers are still lamenting last year’s canceled European trips.  I may have a solution to soothe our house-bound woes.  Since we missed Europe in 2020, why not bring Europe to us in 2021?   In fact, let’s celebrate Spring’s arrival with a toast to our beloved France, Italy and  Spain.  Here are some aperitifs that you may not know, but let’s be adventurous in this doggone pandemic!

               Pastis colored with a little grenadine & diluted with water is a Provencal delight

We’ll start with France.   There’s no more beautiful area of the country to welcome Spring than Provence.   Located in the south of the country, Provence is an idyllic landscape of rolling hills, olive trees, budding grapevines, and blossoming fruit orchards at this time of year.  Pastis is synonymous with Provence.   A licorice flavored spirit, Pastis is often seen on most tables at Provencal sidewalk cafes occupied by locals.

 

The most common Pastis aperitif is simply diluting it with water (a kind of 50/50 ratio).   But, I’m ratcheting my cocktail up a notch to pay homage to Provence’s other famous drink, rosé wine.   Like rosé, my Provence aperitif is pink.  This is as easy as 1-2-3 by adding the following simple ingredients:

1.   1 ounce of Pastis
2.   1 dash of grenadine
3.   5 ounces of cold water     

Add all of the above ingredients to a glass filled with ice.   Voila!  Viva La France!

 

                             A taste of the Amalfi Coast can be yours without leaving home

              

Next, we’ll cross the border into Italy for an aperitivo.   Most everyone knows Italia’s Limoncello, the most famous of which comes from the jaw-dropping Amalfi coastline.   This lemon-based liquor is usually consumed after dinner, but we’re switching it up in the pandemic.  Our Limoncello drink is easy-peasy:  1/3 Limoncello, 1/3 tonic water, 1/3 sparkling water.   Serve it over ice or shake, strain & serve in a martini glass.  Top both with thin slice of lemon.     Cin Cin!

       

         Wine-Knows will be visiting Gonzalez Byass on their October trip to Granada & Seville

Let's now travel to Spain’s southernmost wine region, Jerez de la Frontera.  Our apertivo here will be a dry Sherry.   If you’ve never had a dry sherry, you must as it’s nothing like the sweet or “cream” sherries you may have had.  It’s also nothing like the insipid “cooking sherry” you have in your kitchen.   This dry sherry is on an entirely different planet.

One of my favorite Spanish aperitivos from Jerez is Una Palma, made by Gonzales Byass.  This dry sherry is aged from three to five years.  It’s delicate but yet offers layers of complexity.  I would serve it well-chilled and pair it simply with Spain's yummy Marcona almonds or black olives.  This wine is a knockout and deserves to be the star of the pre-dinner show.    Viva Espana!

For more info on our 2 last seats to Granada & Seville:

http://www.wineknowstravel.com/granada-and-seville-itinerary/

5 Cocktails that Scream Summer

Summer is only days away.  Here’s what is on my list for aperitifs to get our summer parties started (once we're safe for gatherings)!

Rosé -Strawberry Sangria

Nothing says summer more than Rosé and strawberries---I’ve combined them both in this delectable drink.  

Recipe:  Add ½ cup of both sugar and water to 2 cups of sliced strawberries---simmer for 10 min and let completely cool.  In the meanwhile, add all of the following ingredients together in a large pitcher:  3 cups sliced strawberries, 1 cup raspberries, 1 orange thinly sliced, 1 cup orange juice and 1/3 cup Gran Manier.  Add the completed cooled cooked strawberry mixture.   Let steep together for at least 1 hour in the frig.  Prior to serving, add one bottle of sparkling Rosé.

                                         A Cotswold toast to a special week in England

Pimms Cup

Strawberries are the star of yet another drink---this is England’s most popular summer-time libation at Wimbleton.

Recipe:  Add the following to one bottle of Pimms:  an equal size amount of lemonade (preferably homemade, although Trader Joes has a good substitute), ½ cup of seeded, peeled & finely chopped English or Persian cucumber, ½ cup of finely diced apple, 1 cup of thinly sliced strawberries, a good handful of finely chopped mint).  Let sit in frig for at least 30 minutes to chill and marry flavors. Serve in a glass and top with a sprig of mint or cucumber.

                                           These easy cocktails are a crowd-pleaser

Limoncello Spritz

This one is simple.  Simply combine 1/3 part of Limoncello with 1/3 sparkling water, and then add 1/3 part of tonic water.  Serve with lots of ice, a piece of summer-time basil and a wedge of lemon.  It’s really refreshing on a hot summer’s day.

                                   Summer on Lake Como demands Aperol Spritzs

Aperol Spritz

This perennial fave is also simple.  Combine one 750ml bottle of Aperol, with an equal amount of Prosecco.   Gently mix in 1 cup of sparkling water, and serve in an ice filled glass, topped with a wedge of orange.

                                   Elderflower is the secret to this ethereal gin & tonic

Elderflower Hendrick’s Gin & Tonic

This glorious aperitif is another easy cocktail.   Hendricks pairs well with elderflower and cucumber.   Plan for 2 oz of Hendricks per cocktail, and 5 ounces of Fever Tree’s elderflower tonic.  Use one generous teaspoon of St Germain per drink (an elderflower liqueur).  Mix with plenty of ice and serve with a slice of cucumber.

Summer-time bottoms up!