Cooking Lesson #399: Cocktails To Welcome 2022

… from the California Holiday Happy Hour Bar

How you doin’? It’s time to kiss 2021 good-bye and good riddance! Welcome 2022 and more power to you.
 
I want to thank all our readers on postings both here and on other platforms. You have supported us with your kind comments, and we really appreciate you! We have posted almost 400 blogs since the beginning of the Covid-19 lock-down as part of our Survival Guide. People tell us how much they enjoy, not only the recipes, but the history that accompanies them.
 
Look at all that has happened during the last 12 months—much of it not so good. The pandemic continues with new variants, everything has gotten more expensive, if you can even find things on shelves, we still are living in a country divided, kids are shooting kids in schools, governors are resigning, and news commentators are being fired left and right. It’s hard to even recognize our country these last few years.
 
But 2022 will be better, right? I hope so! We (just ordinary people) will make things better… after all we are positive-thinking Americans, and it is a new year. The pandemic will be overcome and that alone will relieve a lot of problems.
 
But we can make a lot go away for at least one night—the last night of year. Here are two cocktails for you to imbibe—one for the waning moments of 2021 and another for the early minutes of 2022.
 
                                                 Bourbon Negroni
 
If you're planning to toast a good riddance to 2021 with something stiff and bitter, you can't beat a Bourbon Negroni. It's easy to make, exceedingly good, and oh, so very satisfying and warming. So, warm up your New Year’s eve with this American bourbon spin on a classic.
 
Prep time:  5 minutes
Yield:  1 cocktail
 
Ingredients 
1-1/2 ounces American Bourbon
3/4 ounce sweet vermouth
3/4 ounce Campari
Orange peel, for garnish
 
Directions

1. Combine American Bourbon, sweet vermouth, Campari and ice in a cocktail shaker or glass.
2. Stir with a long-handled spoon for 30 seconds.
3. Strain and pour over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with orange peel.
5. Toast good-bye to 2021!

 
                                            Bubbly New Year’s Punch
 
Celebrate this bubbly cocktail for an uplifting New Year’s fling. The origin of champagne cocktails is unclear, but some believe they first splashed on the scene in 1861, when England went into mourning for Prince Albert. According to historians, a bartender at London's Brooks' Club decided champagne also should be used to mourn and paired it with Guinness stout to make a black velvet.
 
My recipe is to celebrate, not mourn. I have paired a sparkling wine with Lillet Blanc (delicious taste and aromas of candied oranges, honey, pine resin and exotic fruits) and fresh orange juice.
 
Prep time:  5 minutes
Yield:  6 to 8 servings
 
Ingredients 
1 (750-milliliter) bottle chilled Lillet Blanc
16 ounces freshly-squeezed chilled orange juice
1 (750-milliliter) bottle chilled Champagne, Prosecco or other sparkling white wine
Orange wheel garnish
 
Directions

1. Combine Lillet blanc, orange juice and sparkling wine in a pitcher.
2. Serve in Champagne glasses garnished with an orange wheel.

ChefSecret:  Drive responsibly!  If you are drinking, please, please, please do not drive—call Uber!

Quip of the Day: “Tomorrow is the first blank page of a new 365-day book… write a great one!”
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​To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. In this New Year, seek out the good in people and avoid conflict. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America.

#Cocktail #HappyHour #HolidayCocktails #BourbonNegroni #Champagne #Lillet #2022 #HappyNewYear #Cheers# QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 

                                          ©Perspectives/The Consulting Group, Inc., 2021

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