Champagne Float

If I had to choose only one beverage to drink for the rest of my days then I would choose champagne. I swoon for the effervescent headiness of all those tiny bubbles dancing around in my mouth. Most people drink champagne only on special occasions but how many truly special occasions do you celebrate in a year? Maybe five? Six? However many you can count, why limit yourself to champagne toasts at only the most celebratory events? Let’s have bubbly every day! We’re grown-ups so who can stop us? I’m in if you’re in.

Here’s my take on the classic root beer float, updated and made elegant with champagne, sorbet and fresh berries.

CHAMPAGNE FLOAT

1 bottle dry champagne
2 pints of peach, mango or lemon sorbet
1 pint of blueberries, strawberries or blackberries
6 champagne glasses (the ones shaped like a saucer, not a flute)

Use an ice cream scoop to place a generously sized ball of sorbet into each champagne glass.

Divide the berries equally between the glasses. If the strawberries are large then cut them into halves or quarters.

Pour in enough champagne to almost reach the top of the glass.

Serve immediately.

Serves 6

The Fairy Godmother

Emily and Cat joined The A List so now they need to get their party on! You know what that means… cocktail time! These lovely ladies have been my BFFs since college and are friends so dear that they are like family. They are also my children’s godmothers. Or, as my darling daughter always calls them- the fairy godmothers, because they must be magical to always know exactly the right presents to send for Christmas and birthdays. So pop a cork and raise your glass to Emily and Cat!

THE FAIRY GODMOTHER

1/2 small, ripe honeydew melon
6 large raspberries
1 bottle dry champagne

A few hours before cocktail time, place the raspberries in a single layer on a small plate line with wax paper. Put in the freezer.

Peel and seed the honeydew. Puree until smooth in a blender.

Place one tablespoon of the honeydew puree in the bottom of a champagne flute. Top off with champagne. Drop a frozen raspberry into the glass to keep the drink cold.

Make a toast to friendship and enjoy.

Makes 6 cocktails.