Sparkling spirits makes NYE celebrations bubbly
I love the confetti and streamers, the silly hats and noise makers, the Navy Pier fireworks and worldwide countdowns, but what I love most about New Year's Eve is the no-questions-asked opportunity to pop open a bottle of bubbly.
My affection for sparkling wine goes way back — my mother claims I was weaned on Champagne flowing during her college cast parties — but my love of Champagne cocktails is relatively new.
It started with mimosas and Kir royales and thanks to A.J. Rathbun's new book, “Champagne Cocktails,” has evolved to include French 75 and Happy Youth. To make a Happy Youth, combine 6 ounces fresh orange juice, 4 ounces cherry liqueur and 2 ounces simple syrup. Divide between four flutes and top with extra dry rose sparking wine.
The book (published by Harvard Common Press), contains 50 “cork-popping concoctions” that fit any occasion, festive or otherwise. It even contains a handful of sparkling punches (the Harvest Bowl made with apple cider, vodka and orange curacao comes immediately to mind) that will please your NYE crowd.
The slim tome costs just $12.95 and paired with a nice bottle of Prosecco would make a lovely hostess gift.
The Champagne of Beers: Move over Miller High Life. A new brew from Samuel Adams is angling for that moniker.
Infinium, a collaborative effort between Boston-based Samuel Adams and Germany's Weihenstephan Brewery, boasts 10.3 percent alcohol (by contrast High Life clocks in at 4.7 percent) and comes in a Champagne-style bottle — complete with foil cover and popping cork.
Beer has more in common with Champagne than you might think. Both beverages contain yeast and beer comes with bubbles, though not as many as the sparkling wine.
“We set out to do something that had never been done before,” says Jim Koch, brewer and founder of Samuel Adams beers.
Koch was looking to create a drink that had the fresh and fruity flavors of Champagne married to the full texture and structure of beer.
“I want to get out of the categories of saying beer is this and wine is that,” says Koch, who sees the American beer industry as being about where the U.S. wine industry was 25 years ago.
Infinium costs about $20 for a 750-milliliter bottle and its availability is limited.
Consumer research showed that men would rather toast with beer than Champagne. So pick up a bottle (or two) of this and everyone will be happy.
Hangover help: Just because I'm advocating bubbling beverages does not mean I'm advocating overdoing it on the scintillating sparkers. If you down one too many Bubbly Poinsettias and wake up feeling like you've been hit by the Boogie Train, there's help for you.
And it comes in an unexpected package.
B.R.A.T. “Feel Better” wellness drink, typically given to children who have tummy problems, can help get overindulgent adults back on track.
The ultra-hydrating, organic, gluten-free product contains the right balance of electrolytes in a brown rice-milk base. It comes in 32-ounce aseptic packages and is available in four flavors: original, vanilla, cinnamon toast and chocolate honey. I had an ocassion recently to try the cinnamon toast and it was pretty tasty. It did settle my stomach, but did not have the power to conjure up lost memories.
A box costs about $6.50, but you can sometimes find it on sale (2 for $8) at Babies ‘R' Us. It's also available at area Whole Foods, Dominick's and Toys ‘R' Us and at some pharmacies (head to BRATdietdrink.com for other locations).
• Contact Food Editor Deborah Pankey at food@dailyherald.com or (847) 427-4524. Listen to her discuss food and restaurant trends on Restaurant Radio Chicago, 5 to 6 p.m. Saturdays on WIND 560 AM.