So tomorrow is New Year’s Eve already. Where does the time go? I am looking forward to a night in with friends. I won’t say quiet because with our three boys and another two boys it will be extremely loud! We will have fun though, we always do.
One off the couples coming got married just weeks after us. They had their first son weeks after we had our first son. My husband worked with both of them back in Indiana before everyone eventually moved here. There is a history. When we get together we have fun and enjoy a drink or two. We have come up with some interesting concoctions!
Over the past couple days I tried to come up with a new champagne cocktail. I love cranberry and orange together so that is the flavor combination I went for.
A couple months ago I made some orangecello. After spending time in Italy my husband and I developed a taste for Limoncello. When I came across an orange version I simply had to make it. It is a sweet liqueur that is great by itself in the evening, well chilled from the freezer. Clearly, not everyone has this so you could try using another orange liqueur such as Triple sec, Grand Marnier or Cointreau. The sparkling cranberry juice is a perfect match and the champagne helps cut the sweetness. I certainly enjoyed it, as did my husband. Obviously the boys were unable to give this their seal of approval! Enjoy and Happy New Year!
For a great liqueur recipe head on over to from the Bartolini Kitchens. In a moment of cosmic blogging John posted a recipe for a “cello” using blood oranges that would be perfect for this. I follow his blog and everything is phenomenal so check it out!
Cranberry Orange Champagne Cocktail
1 oz. Orangello
1 oz. sparkling cranberry juice
Champagne
Fresh cranberries and orange peel for garnish
Pour the orangecello and juice in the bottom of a champagne flute. Add enough champagne to fill the glass. Garnish with cranberries and orange rind and enjoy!
Yields one serving
Feeding My 3 Sons 
What a coincidence! I just posted a recipe for orangecello and you post a use for it. Good things happen when blogs collide! I’ll be sending this link to all who received a bottle as a Christmas gift. Thanks!
Wishing a Happy New Year for you and your family!
That is too funny. I will have to put a link in to your recipe when I get home from the gym and lunch. I hope you have a Happy New Year! I am looking forward to more yummy recipes and family stories.
Thanks for adding the shout out and link. I did the same for you on my blog and I promise not to try the links now that the orancello has been opened. I could get caught in an infinite loop, going back and forth between our blogs. Happy New Year!!
Happy New Year to you too! Thanks for the link and I can’t wait to try your recipe when I am in need of limoncello, which is actually very soon!
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Gretchen – Lovely recipe. The first photo is insanely gorgeous! Well-done. Enjoy your time with your friends. There is some special history there. One can’t argue with a New Year’s Eve celebration that includes this beautiful, tasty cocktail and five happy munchkins. My best to you and yours in 2014 – Shanna
It was such hard work you know! First I tried just the orangecello and sparkling cranberry juice. That was too sweet. Then I came up with the champagne cocktail, but I did that after the kids were in bed and it was too dark to photograph the drink. So poor me, I had to have another one the next day around four in the afternoon! Happy New Year to you and your family.
Gretchen – Lovely story. 🙂 I am glad that you were eventually able to photograph the PERFECT mixology of your cocktail. I think the cocktail hour becomes one earlier with each child that I have. One more kid it will be at 2:00 PM! 😉 Have a great New Year’s! Shanna
PS I just tried the orangello link, but it is not working…
Hey Shanna, was that in the reader or browser? I just checked it via the Internet and the link worked. I also added the link to John’s liqueur recipe. Funny how we were playing with the same liqueur at the same time!
Yes, that is funny. You two have great minds… and they think alike! As in about things fruity, festive and jubilous! 🙂 Link is working now. Have a fabulous 2014. Shanna
I set up a category on cocktails but it’s virtually empty. I keep on procrastinating about making cocktails. I even bought glasses etc but what to do? This looks delicious. One of these fine days i shall try some of your cocktails. I just need to motivate myself a little harder!
Funny, I have bought some cocktail glasses too. A few different ones, deciding which ones photograph well. I like them all! Maybe for parties I’ll just serve with all different cocktail glasses! I had a nice set of 8 but am down to 5. Why replace them now when I can have fun with so much more!