Glug, Glug, Fizz, Fizz

A little New Years tip for you:

If you can't finish a bottle of champagne after you've popped the cork, grab a metal spoon, drop the handle into the neck of the champagne bottle and put it in the fridge. It'll keep the fizz for at least another day.

The other option and my preference is finishing the bottle.

Happy New Year~

Love~ The Townhouselady

Glug, Glug

The Townhouselady says: Inexpensive & Yummy

From the Big House Wine Company Website:

"Fire in the hole… err make that fires everywhere. Yep, `08 was a hot and smoky year in Soledad. We had most of the prisoners out on furlough working the fire break. Those hot days and non-existent precipitation did lead to tiny fruit, low yields and great concentration. This Big House Red lives up to that old Fruit Bomb moniker that you’ve come to expect. It starts with a nose full of loganberries and raspberries, with hints of leather and spices. The palate is clean, exhibiting flavors of cranberries, roses, and a touch of rhubarb. This finish lingers, with flavors of vanilla, and dare I say a touch of smoke."

Cocktails Anyone?

I've been on a quest to expand my tastes beyond just wine, beer and champagne. Where to start when you're the daughter of teetotalers?

Well, the beautiful Jill of Stella's Roar (A true must read. I insist) did this wonderful post about what a well stocked bar should contain. So I'm working towards that. I've also been keeping my eyes open for products that pique my interest and taste buds. I came across Square One Botanical.

It's not a flavored vodka and not a gin. It's an organic rye spirit, that like a gin, gets a kick from organic botanicals. It is infused with eight- pear, rose, chamomile, lemon verbena, lavender, rosemary, coriander and citrus peel for an experience that is softer than gin. Sounds good doesn't it?

Square One's website provides about 20 different cocktail recipes. Each one sounds more delicious than the next.

Jill also recommended a great little book in her post The Bartender's Bible: 1001 Mixed Drinks and Everything You Need to Know to Set Up Your Bar. It's only $6.99 at Amazon and really is an indispensable resource so why not grab one? My dad always said to do a proper job you need the proper tools. Come to think of it he probably just said that in order to excuse all those Craftsman purchases at Sears but whatever. Go on and get the book anyways.

Cin, Cin!