Thirsty Thursday: La Vieille Ferme Rosé 2012 – the official taste of Summer 2013

Before I bid summertime adieu, I must share with you my summer love… La Vielle Ferme Rosé ($9.99).

 

Thirsty Thursday: My taste of summer 2013 - La Vieille Ferme Rosé 2012

 

I have bought a bevy of bottles of this ravishing rosé this summer and have enjoyed every single, solitary one. Oh, don’t you judge – almost every bottle was shared with a friend, neighbor or passerby on the street. Kidding…well, about the passerby thing.

 

My brother-neighbor, Matty, & me enjoying a glass (or two) of La Vieille Ferme Rosé 2012 last Saturday while frosting cupcakes

However, I’m not kidding when I tell you that this vino will symbolize Summer 2013 for me forever. With its pretty, whimsical watermelon hue, its floral scent with hints of baked brown sugar and aniseed and its taste of southern flowers, bing cherries and fruit pastille candies, this dry – yet juicy – rosé just represents the taste of summer 2013 for me. And, for me, summer 2013 was filled with fun, new beginnings, farm-to-table-fresh food, music, travel, romance and lessons learned.
One glass of La Vieille Ferme Rosé is never enough, two is not too much and the conversations and memories enjoyed over 3 glasses of this wine will live on forever.

Lucky for me, I know there will be another vintage next year. So here’s – and cheers – to Summer 2014 with La Vieille Ferme Rosé 2012!!!

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Do you have a favorite rosé? Spill it. 

 

Thirsty Thursday: The Clover Gingersnap Champagne Cocktail at Happy Hour at The Orlando

On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of attending a happy hour at The Orlando Hotel on 3rd Street here in Los Angeles. Lucky for me I did because I discovered my new favorite cocktail.

As I walked in, I was offered two selections – a variety of fresh, cold-pressed Clover juices (which just so happens to be housed downstairs) or champagne. Well, you know me…I thought, why choose? Let’s make a new cocktail for the occasion – so my friend, Edward suggested using the Gingersnap juice and, thus, The Clover Gingersnap Champagne Cocktail was born!

 

Thirsty Thursday: The Clover Gingersnap Champagne Cocktail

So what exactly is in this delicious drink? It’s very simple, really – champagne (naturally) and then Clover Gingersnap Juice ($8). This juice has Fuji apple, green apple, lemon and ginger and it is super scrumptious with a bit of spice.
I’m thinking it’s going to be a big pick for Fall because it seems to marry the citrus, zesty flavors of summer with autumnal elements like apple and spice.

So try it for yourself. And see if you enjoy it as much as we did!

Enjoying The Clover Gingersnap Champagne Cocktail at Happy Hour at The Orlando with my good friends, Jennifer Chan & Rose Curiel of E!

 

Just add 2 parts Clover Gingersnap Juice to 1 part champagne and presto-changeo – you’ve got yourself The Clover Gingersnap Champagne Cocktail.

Yep, happy hour indeed…

 

 

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What cocktail kick are you on right now? 

Thirsty Thursday: Andrew Lane 2009 Merlot, Sonoma County

Last Saturday, I went for an afternoon matinee showing of A Place Beyond The Pines. Well, as I was about to encounter both Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper, I thought a glass of wine was in order.

I told Alex D at The Landmark Wine Bar what I was looking for – something big & juicy and not too thin – and he didn’t hesitate at all before he suggested the Andrew Lane 2009 Merlot, Sonoma County.

 

Thirsty Thursday: Andrew Lane 2009 Merlot, Sonoma County

It was perfect! Alex D knows his wines!

With dark fruit and french oak, this wine drinks more like a Cabernet than a Merlot – and I mean that in the best possible way!

 

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: What’s wine would you choose before seeing a Bradley Cooper & Ryan Gosling movie?

 

 

Thirsty Thursday: Coconut Vanilla Bellini

Cheers to our first Thirsty Thursday of 2013!

To kick off the year, I can’t wait to try this delicious, delicate and darling cocktail!

COCONUT VANILLA BELLINI

What you need:
– 1 bottle of prosecco
– 16 ounces of a coconut juice blend or coconut pureed nectar

For the sugared rims:
– 1/4 cup white sanding sugar
– 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
– 1 vanilla bean

– To prepare the sugared rims, combine sanding sugar, granulated sugar, the scraped seeds of the vanilla bean and the vanilla bean pod in a large bowl and mix. You can do this a few days ahead of time if desired.
– Coat the rims of 8 champagne flutes in something sticky and sweet, such as leftover frosting or marshmallow fluff.
– To make the cocktails, pour 2 ounces of the coconut juice blend or puree into the bottom of the flute. Fill the remaining space with prosecco and stir with a long spoon to mix.
– Serve immediately!

Thirsty Thursday: The Scorpio Cocktail

I have A LOT of Scorpio friends out there. A. LOT. 

So, I figured I should celebrate them in my first Thirsty Thursday of November. FYI, I’m a Sagittarius so I’ll be posting a Sag cocktail later in the month.
Enjoy & delight in this astrological sign-satiator! 

The Scorpio Cocktail

scorpio the cocktail

Prep time: 5 minutes

Serves: 1 cocktail (Multiply recipe for more)

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz ginger ale
  • 2 t fresh lemon juice
  • 0.25 t freshly grated ginger
  • 0 ice cubes
  • 0 lemon-peel twist for garnish
  • 4 oz plymouth sloe gin

Directions

Mix the sloe gin, ginger ale, lemon juice, ginger, and ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Strain into two ice-filled glasses. Garnish with lemon-peel twist.

c/o Martha Stewart Living

 

 

 

Thirsty Thursday: Celebrating FabFitFun with Fashion’s Fave Refreshments

I was recently selected by Giuliana Rancic’s fabulous site, FabFitFun, to be a featured blogger in their inaugural Ambassadors program! Yayayayayaya!

And to celebrate, I am sharing some of their favorite Thirsty Thursday recipes with you!
After all, what’s a better way to celebrate than with cocktails?

Enjoy you fab, fit and FUN beauties!!!

xoxo,
BF

(This post originally appeared on FabFitFun on Thursday, September 6th, 2012)

It’s officially fall, and your man is all pumped up about football season. Meanwhile, you’re all pumped up about…pumps! That’s right, ladies. It’s the best week of the year — Fashion Week!

And while you might not have received your invite to sit in the front row at the Badgley Mischka runway, you can still act like you’re there! Attendees will sip on skinny cocktails created by mixologists from Gerber Group and Disaronno throughout the event. And now you can too!

We got our hands on the recipes for the drinks that all the fashion mavens will be enjoying. So whip up one of these special light drinks, zip up your leather moto jacket, and sip up as you strut your stuff! (Who really needs a catwalk to work it anyway?)

Sweet Stiletto
Will be available at Lilium and Stone Rose Lounge
Ingredients:
2 ounces Herradura Silver
1 ounce triple sec
1 ounce guava puree/nectar
1 ounce fresh sour mix

Directions:
Combine all ingredients and pour over ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.

The Skinny Jean
Will be available at Lilium and Stone Rose Lounge

Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces Voli Orange Vanilla
2 ounces lemonade
1/2 ounce agave nectar

Directions:
Combine all ingredients and shake over ice. Strain into rocks glass over ice. Garnish with an orange wheel.

Fashionista
Will be available at the Empire Hotel

Ingredients:
1 ounce Disaronno
1 ounce Bacardi Oakheart
1 ounce fresh lime juice
Dash of nutmeg

Directions:
Combine all ingredients into a glass. Garnish with dash of nutmeg and serve.

xx, The FabFitFun Team

 

 

 

Thirsty Thursday: Arnold Palmer

I was at a restaurant the other day, here in Dallas, and asked for an Arnold Palmer.

I received a blank stare.
They didn’t know what it was.
So I realized that a lot of you, out there, may not know what it is either.
And you really, really should as it is the ultimate in refreshing summer beverages!
In Los Angeles, Arnold Palmers are big-non-alcoholic brunch drinks.
Not too sweet and not too tart, it’s the perfect, hydrating, sweet-tart bev!
Refreshing and light, it is a super popular drink named after the famed golfer, Arnold Palmer. It’s said to be his favorite beverage!
And now, may it be one of yours!
It can also be served at lunches, picnics and showers as a great alternative to too-sweet punch!

Thirsty Thursday: Arnold Palmer

 Arnold Palmer
1/2 c. Lemonade
1/2 c. Iced Tea
Mix together. Serve over ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge and/or a mint sprig.
xoxo,
BF
BF Asks: What’s your favorite refreshing beverage?