Better than a lemon drop: Limoncello champagne cocktail

Step into spring with this limoncello cocktail recipe

I am momentarily mad at Mother Nature.  Here in the beautiful Hudson Valley of New York, we've had awesome weather for a week. I'm talking sitting-on-the-deck-basking-in-the-sun-sipping-a-tasty-beverage weather. But today, Saturday, the first day of the weekend, it's gray and cool outside.  And Sunday will bring rain. Well, let's keep real and acknowledge it could be way worse. We're taking five minutes out of our day to talk about a limoncello cocktail recipe here. #perspective #grateful

So I've decided not to take this 50° F, mostly cloudy forecast laying down.  I'm going to press on and celebrate Spring.

Just let a little Limoncello into your life

Sippers - a cute little nickname I've given my sparkling cocktails - should most definitely be consumed slowly and peacefully. Like with friends, or a book, the dog sniffing around the backyard, or the kids sliding down the staircase railing while eating sugar directly from the bag.

Where to get great sparkling wine for a great price

In all honesty, when I'm buying my bubbles I go straight to Mumm Napa or Gruet Winery (no they didn't pay me to say that, although maybe I should ask). And yes, the latter is in New Mexico. Wine from New Mexico. The French winemakers of Gruet produce awesome sparkling wines using méthode champenoise.

The importance of the method

Méthode champenoise is the classic French method of a second fermentation in the bottle. As opposed to forcing bubbles into low-quality wine, which is how many American producers create sparkling wine.  The Gruet Blanc de Noirs goes for a bargain at around $16 retail ($13 direct as of this writing) and is charming alone or as a mixer.

Recommended pairings for sparkling cocktails

Any food. Any time. Sippers are great before, after and especially during a meal. The acidity and texture of sparkling wine pairs beautifully with just about any dish (even chips and salsa, try a squeeze of lime in your glass).  And even though I find them to be at their best when the sky is blue and the heat is on, they're not bad by the fireplace, either.  Bring on the drear Mother Nature, we've got sparkling cocktails, and you don't.

The perfect pairing

Interested in an easy, crunchy, cocktail snack? Try Cheetos. No joke. Sommelier recommended.

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Sit, stay, drool with Sadie Mae
#dogsofinstgram

Or not. She wasn't as interested in this quick-fire photo shoot as she was in chasing the lawnmower. And sniffing out new weeds. Finally, ease of craft.