Just the beginning of the swooning, darling. There is so much more to the champagne cocktail. This version is divine, and the colors are perfect for the season.
And it’s perfect with Baked Brie. You’ll forgive the lack of pictures; no idea why I didn’t photograph it at the time we made these drinks – I promise, I hadn’t already indulged – but it was such a perfect combo that I had to include it. And you’ll get the idea quickly, I promise.
Or you might want to try these Cranberry Baked Brie Puff Pastry Bites, which I shared my first holiday season on the blog. Totally delish -- and there are pictures!
Cheers to you, my friends. Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy holiday season!
Pomegranate Champagne Cocktails
Adapted from the Williams Sonoma blog
For each drink:
1 ounce pomegranate juice
1/2 ounce Grand Marnier
3 ounces sparkling wine
Pomegranate seeds for garnish (optional)
Pour the pomegranate juice and Grand Marnier into a chilled cocktail glass or Champagne coupe. Top with the sparkling wine and stir gently. Garnish with few pomegranate seeds and serve immediately.
Baked Brie
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 14-16 ounce wheel brie
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1 egg, lightly beaten with 1 teaspoon water
Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
On a lightly-floured surface, roll the thawed pastry into a 15 inch circle. Slice brie in half horizontally and place on the pastry. Layer the bottom half with the parsley and almonds, reserving a teaspoon or so of almonds for the top. Replace the top half. Brush edges of pastry with the egg wash and wrap sides over the cheese. Place seam side down on a baking sheet. Brush with egg wash. Bake 20 minutes. Top with remaining almonds and allow to rest 10 minutes before serving.
Serve with crackers or a sliced baguette.
Enjoy!
Leslie Budewitz is the author of the Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries and the Spice Shop Mysteries, and the winner of Agatha Awards in three categories. Death al Dente, the first Food Lovers' Village Mystery, won Best First Novel in 2013, following her 2011 win in Best Nonfiction. Her first historical short story, "All God's Sparrows," won the 2018 Agatha Award for Best Short Story. Watch for her first standalone suspense novel, Bitterroot Lake (written as Alicia Beckman) in April 2021 from Crooked Lane Books.
A past president of Sisters in Crime and a current board member of Mystery Writers of America, she lives in northwest Montana with her husband, a musician and doctor of natural medicine, and their cat, an avid bird-watcher.
Swing by her website and subscribe to her seasonal newsletter, for a chat about the writing life, what she's working on, and what she's reading -- and a free short story. And join her on Facebook where she shares book news and giveaways from her writer friends, and talks about food, mysteries, and the things that inspire her.
Pomegranate! Champagne! Brie! You are indeed a woman after my own heart, Leslie!(Besides being a wonderful writer!) Happy Holidays
ReplyDeleteto you and D!
Cheers to you and yours, Lynn!
DeleteBoth recipes sound like so much fun, Leslie. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteFun is an essential ingredient for holiday food and drink, don't you think?
DeleteA more posh alternative to a mimosa, I like it!
ReplyDeleteAnd red is a more festive colour, too.
Red to brighten the winter darkness -- though I do love me a good mimosa!
DeleteWhat a great combination! And, of course, pomegranate is good for you!
ReplyDeleteWhat? Are you saying champagne isn't good for me?!!?
DeleteWow! Happy and very merry! Hugs. MJ
ReplyDeleteAnd to you, my dear!
Delete