Friday, February 12, 2010

Valentine's Throwdown: Prosecco

Alcohol hardly ever gets any love in our house. We live in a dry county, where no alcohol or beer is sold. The next county over sells alcohol, but only in liquor stores, not in the grocery stores or convenience stores. Since I have two small children with me at all times, I usually never get the chance to visit the liquor store. So, when I made a trip to Trader Joe's over the holidays I stocked up on a few things, namely white wine, but also Prosecco.

I had never tried Prosecco before and was excited to try it out. I have an entire list of drinks I wanted to make using Prosecco, so I decided a Prosecco Throwdown was in order for Valentine's Day.

I mixed up three different Prosecco drinks this week. There were so many recipes that I wanted to try, but I settled on a Pomegranate Bellini, a Fruit Fizz with Meyer Lemon Sorbet, and an Amaretto Sour with Prosecco. While I did have a favorite, all of them would be a great drink for your Valentine's Day table.

First up, and probably the prettiest, is Nigella's Pomegranate Bellini. This recipe is the simplest of all three drinks. It only consists of two ingredients (pomegranate puree/juice and Prosecco). The color of the drink is gorgeous, but the drink was a little too tart for me. I think this drink would be best served in smaller amounts, perhaps a champagne glass.
Pomegranate Bellini
1 part chilled pomegranate puree or concentrated juice (I used concentrated juice)
3/4 part chilled Prosecco or other fizzy dry white wine
Pour the pomegranate puree/juice into a glass. Top with Prosecco. One 750ml bottle of Prosecco should yield about 6 Bellini


Next up, was Giada's Amaretto Sour with Prosecco. Back in the day, an Amaretto was one of my favorite drinks, so I was really excited to get started on this one. This was a really tasty drink made with Amaretto, simple syrup, and Prosecco. The glass is dipped into a lemon/lime sugar to coat the rim and the drink is supposed to be served on the rocks. I got a little too excited and forgot to serve mine on ice. This is definitely a sweetly flavored drink that is served with even more sugar on the rim, but I really enjoyed the flavor of the Amaretto mixed with the bubbly Prosecco. I will definitely make this drink again, especially if I had a party or people over. You can find the recipe HERE online at Food Network.
The last drink I mixed was Nigella's Fruit Fizz, which is almost like a dessert because it starts with a scoop (or two) of sorbet. You simply scoop some sorbet into a glass and top with Prosecco. I used a Meyer Lemon Sorbet that I made earlier this week, but almost any flavored sorbet will do. For Valentine's Day, a strawberry or raspberry sorbet would be gorgeous! This drink was cold, crisp, bubbly, fruity goodness and I really enjoyed it. You can find the recipe for the Fruit Fizz HERE on the Food Network.

AND THE WINNER IS..................................................................................................

NIGELLA'S FRUIT FIZZ WITH MEYER LEMON SORBET!!!

Why?

Well, Nigella's Fruit Fizz was really cold, crisp, refreshing and fun! The Meyer Lemon Sorbet seemed to compliment the Prosecco much more than the Pomegranate juice or the Amaretto. I loved that sour tang from the lemon sorbet and would definitely make this drink again using other sorbets.

Giada's Amaretto Sour with Prosecco still deserves a shout out because it was a really tasty drink. I would be happy to serve it anytime.

Do you have a favorite drink that is mixed with Prosecco?

31 comments:

  1. Kim - love this throwdown idea. Each one of the mixes look delicious, will definitely try Nigella's!

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  2. I really just like prosecco straight up...I love fizzy alcoholic beverages. What a great throwdown! One of my favorites of yours thus far. I rarely ever make mixed drinks but it's nice to ahve someone taste test them for me first :) Definitely going to give Nigella's a shot!

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  3. Can you believe that I drove all the way to Atlanta and made a trip to Trader Joes (I live in the backwoods called Alabama)
    They were out of Prosecco!!!!
    I nearly cried... And had to console myself with dark chocolate.

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  4. i've never actually had prosecco, but the drinks all turned out so pretty and made me thirsty! i love the winning drink!

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  5. I love it poured over pureed strawberries or peaches (or both)! I planned on making them for Valentine's Day too!
    I hope you have a wonderful day~
    ♥,Lilly

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  6. We drink Prosecco straight - no mix-ins at our house.

    That said, I think this was one of your greatest throwdowns yet!

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  7. STraight up for me is perfect, but these combinations tempt me. I love the one you chose and the description is perfect. You have a winner with the throwdown feature. I enjoy it!

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  8. I don't think I've ever tasted Prosecco before but it's now on my list of wines to try.

    All three drinks sound delicious and so refreshing. Beverages can be so much fun!

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  9. I love prosecco, we always have a few bottles around. Love the throwdowns! I will have to remember that sorbet idea, seems like the perfect summer drink.

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  10. I love prosecco and tagged Nigella's Fruit Fizz drink to make because it sounded so darn good. Great throwdown!

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  11. Moi never drinks (except for diet coke ;)), but they definitely look pretty.
    HOpe you and your family have a marvelous Valentine's day.
    *kisses* HH

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  12. Kim ~ "Cheers"

    I salute your choice of three delicious looking cocktails. Each has its own personality and I am sure distinct taste.

    I will have to see if I can find Prosecco and give all of these a try.

    Hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day!

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  13. Hold up, wait a minute, don't go there cuz I ain't with it...U LIVE IN A DRY COUNTY? That makes me sad. However, since you live somewhat close to a Trader Joe's, I'm not sad anymore. I love your drink concoctions. Makes me thirsty!

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  14. How would we manage to live in a dry county? We love wines, Champagne, and Cognac! Oh, my ...

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  15. I love Prosecco and have never mixed it with anything. Don't get it often enough - will ahve to try Nigella'S! Sounds wonderfully crisp.

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  16. Am so lost here but so love ur pics and nigella too....

    Que Magnifigue este...bravo!!!!

    Oh yeah...LOVE IS IN THE AIR,SO IS ROMANCE...WISH YA LOADS OF IT @ 365....

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  17. My favorite drink with Prosecco is "Cold Beer & Prosecco". I like to skip the Prosecco when making this. ;)

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  18. I prefer Prosecco over champagne and like it straight or in a Bellini (with peach syrup). My favorite brunch consists of latkes and Mimosas made with Prosecco. The latkes must be eaten as they are made and washed down with lots of Mimosas. Hey, you asked!!! :)

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  19. Gosh, I love Prosecco! I love it with brunch. I vote for the Amaretto one, because I'm such an almond lover. You live in a dry county? I just can't imagine! Now that my son is all grown up, I'm usually grabbing wine....or playing with some kinda booze when it comes to cooking. I just love the flavor! That reminds me, I need to buy some!

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  20. How pretty! Nigella sure knows her stuff. I'm making her chocolate trifle today for our dinner tonight. It has never failed me!

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  21. we lived in a small town called Elkin like that love the drinks you made

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  22. Cheers to Prosecco! Love it. I have the fruit fizz w/lemon sorbet on my list to try! Sounds delicious.

    Happy Valentine's Day.

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  23. Holy Cow Kim! NIGELLA'S FRUIT FIZZ WITH MEYER LEMON SORBET.... the name even makes me salivate! Wowsers!! That drink sounds amazing!

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  24. Happy Valentine's day, Kim! I don't drink so I won't try these but just wanted to wish you a happy valentine's day. :)

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  25. Kim – I have never had Prosecco and this was enlightening and entertaining! The bellini looks great. That sucks you are in a dry county. There is a dry county just eats of us and they complain abut the revenue they are missing. People will spend their money in a neighboring county and bring the alcohol home.

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  26. I've only drunk Prosecco a couple of times and didn't mix it with anything. We're not much of sweet drink people so we always buy Prosecco in a wine store we trust not to sell us a sweet one.

    I love your throw-downs. Each of the three were lovely to look at. It must be fun to sample everything. It's a hard job, but someone has to do it, right?
    Sam

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  27. Kim, this is great I just bought 2 bottles of Prosecco at the store last week with the goal of making Giada's Ama. sours...so glad I read your post...I think I will be using it for the Fruit Fizz instead.

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