Classic Champagne Cocktail

George Hirsch December 28, 2023

George Hirsch Lifestyle Champagne Cocoktail

Its almost time to toast- Happy New Year!

As we say goodbye to 2020, I wish you health and happiness in 2021

Champagne is recognized as the universal symbol of good news, and this cocktail's simple recipe shows that life doesn't have to be complicated to be enjoyed. A classic Champagne Cocktail may not be as trendy a drink these days, but as a classic, it’s as good as when Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr sipped it in An Affair To Remember.

Recipe: Six ounces of champagne and a sugar cube soaked in Angostura bitters is all it takes to make a sophisticated cocktail for the New Year. Drop the sugar cube into a tall flute glass, slowly adding champagne and a lemon twist.

Tips: With the Champagne Cocktail, you can trust the bitters to take the edge off lesser quality champagne or sparkling wine. You can use a lesser expensive wine for this drink, spending about $10 to $18 for a good domestic bottle. Or, as I personally prefer to use a good Prosecco. Especially good for making a Venetian Sgroppino

It is often remarked that Auld Lang Syne is one of the most popular songs that nobody knows the lyrics to. "Auld Lang Syne" literally translates as "old long since" and means "times gone by."

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Sgroppino

George Hirsch December 23, 2023

Here's a Christmas toast for you. Cheers!

Enjoy a refreshing cocktail from Venice, Italy, made from vodka and lemon sorbet and finished with prosecco. Think of this drink as a big person slushy-like beverage served as an apéritif, palate cleanser, or refreshing dessert served with crisp biscotti.

All Champagne, by definition, must come from vineyards in the Champagne region of France. This small region comprises three districts, including the towns of Reims, Troyes, Charleville-Mezier, and Chalons. Prosecco, produced in the Veneto region of Italy, is considered an everyday drink or sparkling wine. Unlike most Champagne, it does not improve with age and should be consumed within six months of the purchase or within a year of bottling. It tends to be dryer than many Champagnes. A good prosecco is inexpensive and very drinkable, right for any occasion, even breakfast.

Sgroppino Italian Cocktail

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Chill 4-6 Champagne flutes

2 cups chilled Prosecco (Italian sparkling white wine)

2 Tablespoons chilled vodka

1 cup frozen lemon sorbet

2 Tablespoons half & half

4 fresh strawberries split for garnish

4 fresh mint leaves

Mix Prosecco, vodka, sorbet, and half & half in a blender for 1 minute. Pour the mixture immediately into chilled champagne flutes. Top with berries and mint.

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Got Shrub?

George Hirsch August 30, 2023

What is a Shrub? The word Shrub comes from the Arabic word sharab, which means to drink. In the dictionary, Shrub is defined as an acid fruit drink.

Good Stuff Pick: Fruit shrubs are based on Colonial era recipes and are drink concentrates made with fresh fruit vinegar, organic unbleached cane sugar, and spices. They can be mixed with sparkling water (1 part Shrub to 8 parts water) to make festive non-alcoholic drinks and also to flavor wine and champagne. It's just as refreshing to serve for a brunch or a festive backyard BBQ, like my Fresh Squeezed Mimosa. (WATCH VIDEO)

George Hirsch Lifestyle Fresh Squeezed Mimosa

Today's refreshing beverage is perfect for a steamy hot day, like today. Cheers!

George's Berry Shrub Fiz

Makes 4 servings

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1/3 cup fresh lime juice + 1 lime sliced thin

1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled

4 cups de-seeded watermelon + 1 cup of melon balls for garnish

2 Tablespoons turbinado sugar, variable depending on how sweet the berries are & how tart/ sweet you like it.

1/2 cup ice, shaved or cubes

1/4 cup seltzer per glass + sprig of fresh mint

Blend the lime juice, watermelon, and berries with juice, sugar, and ice cubes until slushy in a blender. Serve in a tall glass filled with ice; pour 3/4 of a glass with fruit juice and top off with seltzer.

*To Spike: You can add 1/2 ounce of vodka, rum, Or tequila to each glass over the ice.

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George Hirsch’s Fresh Squeezed Mimosa

George Hirsch December 31, 2021

Here's to celebrating summer! I created this recipe as an answer to beat the heat. Enjoy my refreshing cocktail with someone you care about and cheers to enjoying a safe + happy summer.

As seen in episode title Being Served. George cooks-up a brunch fit for a king & queen with Fresh Squeezed Mimosa, Fried Egg Crab Salad, Johnny Cakes, and Savory Lamb Sausage. George visits a historic inn, for inspiration, the art of hospitality, while preserving one of the Hampton's East End, LI treasured landmarks.

George Hirsch’s Fresh Squeezed Mimosa

Makes 2 drinks

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2 cups Prosecco

1/4 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice, or fresh peach juice

2 small scoops lemon sorbet

2 sprigs fresh mint

In two champagne or margarita glasses, divide the orange juice and Prosecco. Place one scoop of sorbet in each glass. Top with mint. Serve immediately.

Tips: With champagne or sparkling wine, you can trust the fresh-squeezed orange juice to take the edge off lesser quality champagne or sparkling wine. For this drink, you can use a less expensive wine, spending about $10 to $18 for a good domestic bottle. Or, as I personally prefer to use a good Prosecco for under $15.

When opening Champagne or Prosecco, use a gentle twist - save the bubbles for the inside of the glass and not the floor.

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Refreshing Fruit or Vegetable?

George Hirsch July 28, 2020

Watermelon happens to be a vegetable! That's right, watermelon was officially declared a vegetable and also named Oklahoma's official state vegetable in 2007. The watermelon is related to the squash and pumpkin family; on the good side of the family.

Believe it or not- watermelon has higher concentrations of the antioxidant lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. A two cup serving of watermelon contains almost nineteen mgs versus four mgs contained in tomatoes and has only 48 calories; but can provide 25 percent of your recommended daily intake of Vitamin C.

Tip. Pick a melon that feels heavy for its size, that's an indication it's juicy and fresh. Enjoy eating it freshly cut or make my refreshing summer cocktail made with watermelon.

**Watermelon Cubes + Rind Greek Salad with Tuscan Kale Chips**

Use the Entire Watermelon, Including the Rind. The rind is often the most overlooked part of the watermelon. Shred butter rind and pickle in the dressing before mixing in the salad.

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