Ready to Stock-Up for the New Year?

Nothing says a New Year like some bubbly. Here are three I like that are inexpensive and tasty.

Bring out the bubbles…
Côté Mas Jean-Claude Cremant de Limoux Brut is a fruity sparkling from France which you can pick up for around $10. It has a bit of sweetness, mixed with citrus. I would not take too much notice of the “Brut” (dry) on the label.

For something very different, the Côté Mas Crémant de Limoux Rosé (also a sparkling) is delicious. It’s very light and filled with strawberry and raspberry notes.

Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio is a standard in restaurants. When people ask me about an easy to fine, inexpensive white wine in a restaurant, it’s a go-to. That’s why I was happy to try their sparkling, I quickly agreed.

The Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore is also one you can count on, whether it’s at home. It has a bit of apple sweetness, and floral notes, that make it easy drinking.


Straight up or in cocktails…
With the Santa Margherita Prosecco, I received some Sparkling Ice, a zero calorie, naturally-flavored sparkling water. It comes in many flavors. I’ve tried a few before, but not the Peach Nectarine Crisp Apple or Lemon Lime.

I’ve included some recipes below for sparkling cocktails. While I think the flavor profile of the Sparkling Ice is fantastic and delicious in drinks or by itself for a non-alcoholic beverage, I didn’t really like it used with the prosecco. I think it’s a bit too much of a bubble overload.


Green Tea Toddy
6 oz Sparkling Ice Crisp Apple
1 ½ oz whisky or apple brandy
1 teaspoon honey

Coat the bottom of a glass coffee cup with honey.
Add whisky or brandy to cup.
Heat Sparkling Ice Crisp Apple in a small pot.
Pour hot Crisp Apple Sparkling Ice into the glass.
Stir to combine ingredients.
Garnish with cinnamon stick, allspice cloves, and apple slices.


Autumn Peach Mocktail
4 oz Sparkling Ice Peach Nectarine
4 oz apple cider
Large sage leaves
Apple slices for garnish
2 pinches of freshly grated nutmeg

In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, combine 2 of the sage leaves and the shrub and muddle to release the flavor of the sage.
Fill the shaker halfway with ice and add the apple cider and nutmeg.
Pour into a cocktail glass and garnish with the last sage leaf.


Seattle Scorcher
Sparkling Ice Lemon Lime
1 Jalapeno
Homemade Sour Mix
 (Optional) A Shot of Tequila

Mix ingredients in shaker with ice.
Pour into a glass.

Garnish with lime wedges.

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