Cocktails to bring in the New Year

Toast 2010 in style. Happy X-Rated Fusion New Year

Whether you’re throwing your own party or crashing one, offer a delicious twist to the inevitable midnight toast.

After the requisite bottles of champagne have been secured, opt to add a spirited and playful splash of pink to the glass and the party with X-Rated Fusion Liqueur. This is a yummy fusion of ultra premium French vodka and blood oranges, mangoes and passion fruits and one of my new favorite flavors. These fun cocktails are from some of the hottest spots in the US so a big thanks to the Bartenders who created them and are sharing them with me.

Of course you may be going to a party and do want to bring a bottle of the bubbly or two. Make sure you see the wonderful gifts that Moët & Chandon have to offer. I especially love the minis…can’t go wrong with them. These are really great ideas for your receptions so bookmark this page and refer to it often.

This is the dawn of a new decade…make it yours. Congratulations to all you newly engaged couples and remember if you ever wished for a bridal fairy godmother, I’m here. Contact me if you have any special requests. Here’s wishing you every good thing in 2010. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Bitter Bubbles

1 oz X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
0.5 oz SKYY Infusions Passion Fruit
0.25 oz Campari
Top with Champagne, serve in a flute

Pink Fusion – originally served at Carlucci Lombard, Chicago

1 oz X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
1 oz SKYY Infusions Citrus
Splash of Fresh Lemonade
Top with Champagne, serve in martini glass with lemon twist

Passion Punch

2 parts X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
1 parts SKYY Infusions Passion Fruit
0.5 parts Passion Fruit of Mango Puree (or orange juice)
Top with Champagne, serve in a flute

Bessito - originally served at Asia De Cuba, New York

1 oz X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
1 oz Grapefruit Juice
Top with Champagne, serve in a flute

Love Letter - Created by Adam Wilson of Beretta

1 oz Campari
1 oz Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
0.75 oz Cointreau
0.25 oz Maple Syrup (should be 1:1 with water)
0.25 oz Small Hand Grenadine
3 dashes of Peychaud's Bitters
Shake. Add Soda. Pour over ice in highball. Garnish with a lime zest.

Red Hot Chocolate - Originally served at 116 Crown in New Haven, CT, created by mixologist John Ginnetti

1 ounce Campari
2 ounces Brandy
3 ounces Whole Milk
0.5 ounce heavy cream (optional)
2 tablespoons of dark chocolate chips

Put milk, cream & chocolate in a milk frothing cup used for espresso.

Froth milk as you would for cappuccino. When milk is hot remove frothing wand and whisk or stir vigorously until chocolate is completely melted. Add Campari and Brandy. Pour into heat-resistant cup. Can be garnished with 1 large hand-cut marshmallow or a red peppermint stick.

Perfect sippers and great individual bottles. Yummm

Not forgetting the bubbly, Moët & Chandon keeps celebrating this holiday season simple and chic with the Buckets of Bubbles champagne gift set. The clear carrying case cleverly doubles as an ice bucket, containing four mini champagne flutes that can be attached to the top of the four small bottles of refreshing Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial bubbly included in the set. Buckets of Bubbles retails for approximately $34.99.

Don't you love this 'chill box? 2 gifts in one!

Let Moët & Chandon help you navigate your way through your busy social calendar this holiday season with a simple gift that is sure to leave a lasting impression on each and every recipient. The Moët Chill Box consists of a bottle of Moët & Chandon Impérial enclosed in an elegant gold container, designed to maintain the champagne’s ideal drinking temperature for two hours. A stylish yet practical gift, the Moët Chill Box is your go-to item all the way from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. This item is available in most fine wine and spirits stores this September at no added cost when you purchase a bottle of Moët Imperial for $39.99.