As Spring blooms, we find ourselves outside much more for dining and evening cocktails.  The next time you are out for drinks with friends, check out the cocktail menu.  One of my favorite cocktails to enjoy this Spring is an old classic, a French 75.

Champagne, makes most cocktails ideal for a late spring brunch or perfect to stroll the back patio on cool evenings.  Like the Sidecar, the French 75 has World War One connections, probably being named after a WWI artillery gun. Returning French pilots, familiar with the guns deadly potency, demanded a drink equally disarming and were given one. You can substitute Gin for the Brandy.

½ oz Lemon Juice

1 oz Brandy or Gin

½ oz Cointreau

Champagne

Add lemon juice, Brandy or Gin, Cointreau to a shaker or pitcher with a bit of ice, stir or shake till cold. Strain contents into a champagne flute and top with champagne and a lemon twist.

Cheers!

I recently had the pleasure of producing an event for Saint Vintage Jewelry at the Andaz Hotel in West Hollywood.  The title sponsor for the event was Stand Up to Cancer.  The lovely Jaime King hosted the evening.  All proceeds raised from the silent auction benefitted Stand Up to Cancer.  Beautiful jewelry, beautiful people, great food and a fabulous view of LA from the Andaz’s Penthouse level Panorama room.  Not a bad way to spend a Thursday.