The Liquid Muse

Drinking Oscar

The most glamorous award show of the season calls for celebrity-worthy sips to enhance your viewing delight. As you’re A-List friends arrive to your red carpet event, greet them at the door with this Oscalicious libation (fyi – this recipe is a sneak peek from my next book due out Fall 2009…)

Oscalisiousness
1/2 ounce Chambord
1/2 ounce St. Germain elderflower liqueur
1 edible hibiscus flower in syrup (could be bought at Whole Foods)
3 ounces very chilled dry sparkling wine

Pour champagne into a chilled champagne flute. Slowly add St. Germain, then gently drizzle in Chambord. Drop in edible hibiscus. (a raspberry could be substituted if edible hibiscus can’t be found)

Also check out Moët & Hennessey’s signature cocktail:

Red Carpet Fizz
1/2 ounce Pomegranate Juice
1/3 ounce Crème de Peche
1/4 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice
Dash of Campari
Top with Moët & Chandon White Star

And, be sure to have some sumptuous hors d’oeuvres for your guests. Avoid the usual hummus-and-pita chips or salsa-and-tortilla chips. This is the Oscars – not the Superbowl! “Class it up” but stick to a budget at Trader Joe’s (for example) with some easy-to-prepare puff pastry chicken bites; steamed vegetarian dumplings with sweet-n-sour dipping sauce; and a platter of shrimp with cocktail sauce. To me, a perfect cheese platter has at least 3 cheeses: one goat cheese (I like the kind rolled in herbs), a creamy blue cheese (a blend of brie and Roquefort) and a Spanish Manchego with a drizzle of honey. Serve that along with a basket full of mixed crackers – wheat, multi grain, poppy seed – and a thinly sliced baguette.

Next, its time to break out some wine. Last year, I received a fabulous bottle of Sterling Vineyard’s Red Carpet Reserve numbered, limited edition wine. I had my own little Oscar celebration and reveled in the decadence of watching the Oscars in fuzzy slippers with a special glass in my hand. This year, they sent me the Gold Standard Reserve Chardonnay, the fourth vintage of a limited edition white wine. The stars will be sipping these wines paired with Wolfgang Puck's famous cuisines. Meanwhile, I look forward to opening up my bottle in time for the show – and toasting my top Oscar picks... (Go Kate Winslet!)