Category Archives: campari

Ms. S&C is back

Posted on January 31, 2022 by | Leave a comment

This wasn’t the first post Ms. S&C dreamed of writing after a long hiatus, but if she thought too long and too hard about coming back with something meaningful or remarkably inspirational – well, it wasn’t likely to happen. (But … how would Ms. S&C sum up the past 10 years? Well, that’s a damn good question. And one she intends to give some thought.)

Ms. S&C is back, primarily on Instagram. Give her a follow why don’t ya? ✨Ms. S&C on Instagram✨ Here’s a snapshot of what caught her eye this past week.

Ralph Lauren

Seasonal prints OMG. Check out the latest RL Collection, which is just gorgeous and tragically out of my budget. Love the paisley, love the florals, love the navy and green hues. 💙💚

Travel Appreciation

Appreciating Barolo wine while in NYC 🍷 Remembering New York Sours while in Portsmouth, Va 🥃 Planning for a Spring trip to Scotland and Northern England (namely The Lake District), and pairing fits with these new boots 🥾 (Keen to hear any recommendations for the UK trip!)

Self Care

Yes, this is a Negroni on the edge of my bathtub. I called it #selfcaresaturday. The temps have been pretty low in the DMV and that’s no doubt affected my mood. I drew a hot bath on Saturday evening and had a nice, long soak with this warming cocktail + my favorite Lotus Love Beauty bath salts.

Stay warm friends!

Leave a comment

Posted in campari, cocktails, fall/winter cocktails, shoes

Tagged , , , , , ,

Three things: campari, anklets, new indie-rock

Posted on July 21, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Ms. S&C would like to thank the ladies over at DIY Del Ray for the recent blogging inspiration. (I hope to channel their home renovation and decorating inspiration as well. But, I’m a little held back by the do-it-yourself concept, as I’m in a do-it-for-me place at the moment.) However, seeing their regular sharing of cool ideas and things they like reminds me: I like to share things too!

So, here are three things that Ms. S&C really likes right now:

(1) Campari

Back when I started this blog (July 2008!), the bitterness of Campari was like nothing I had ever tasted. Now, my refined — or slightly numbed — palate craves the herbal sensation. My cocktail-writing idol (and now my New York Times Op-Ed writing idol), Frank Bruni, shared his experience with the Negroni Sbagliato awhile back. After trying it out myself, I can attest to it being a pretty damn good, fizzy and refreshing, “summertime negroni.” The Campari Cup (a love child of the Pimm’s Cup) is also good use of this aperitif.

(2) Anklets

I’ve noticed an anklet on one of my yoga instructors (yes, there is more than one yoga instructor in my life — and yes, I have crushes on all of them). Then, I came across this anklet on Garance Dore’s blog. My recent captivation of anklets also reminds me of the scene in “Love in the Afternoon,” when the spunky Audrey Hepburn wears an anklet to make the womanizing Gary Cooper jealous (of course it works). All this leads me to say: I want an anklet for the summer sandal wearing! Help me find a cool one. Please!

(3) New Music

I’ve been in a music rut lately. I haven’t been excited by much of anything (anything *new* that is — but, I do have a new-found love for Fleetwood Mac). Just as I’m lamenting this rut, the new Bon Iver album comes along. I am so in love — and it has been put on such heavy rotation — that I had to purchase the first album, “For Emma, Forever Ago,” too. Both albums  are great to listen to, but the new album is particularly dreamy. Fave songs include: “Towers” and “Perth.”

Naturally, when it rains, it pours. I’ve also been recently introduced to Eleanor Friedberger’s (of Fiery Furnaces fame) debut album, and I’m pretty giddy about: “My Mistakes,” “Heaven,” and “I Won’t Fall Apart on You Tonight.” Indie-pop at its best. I swear.

Lastly, The Feelies’ “Here Before” — their first album in twenty years — is certainly worth a listen. Or ten.

The three things blog post gives Ms. S&C an opportunity to share a combination of shoe and cocktail-related finds, along with something else. That something else usually includes music or yoga.

posted by Ms. S&C

Leave a comment

Posted in campari, cocktail-related, music, three things

Tagged , , , , ,

S&C patriotism

Posted on June 30, 2011 by | Leave a comment

If money were no object, the 4th of July holiday weekend footwear may look a little something like this:

For the picnic, or the baseball game (the Nationals have a double-header on Saturday, you know), let’s don these adorable Kate Spade sandals. That bow, the grosgrain fabric, the basketweave heel — nothing could say casual American holiday better.

For the night out, how about this classic Burberry espadrille paired with a flowy black sundress? Love the combination of red patent leather, espadrille midsol, and the check pattern.

For the wide-leg white linen pants (or the white linen anything), how about these striking Diane Von Furstenberg wedges? Yes, the height, the bold color, the multi-pattern wedge heel would contrast beautifully with white.

And what to drink this Independence Day? Well, we’ll have to get back to you on that, but these Black and Blue Mojitos and this Campari Cup are strong contenders (particularly given the amount of fresh mint we have growing over at chez S&C).

Happy fireworks, barbecues, picnics, baseball games, Declaration of Independence reading, patriotic song singing, parade going, blue-and-white sprinkled, sparkler waving holiday!

posted by Ms. S&C

Leave a comment

Posted in campari, pimms, shoes, spring/summer cocktails, white rum

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Campari Safari

Posted on September 23, 2010 by | 1 comment

In honor of Ms. S&C’s Italian voyage, Miss Mojito is paying tribute with an Italian-inspired cocktail. Miss Mojito’s sister introduced this particular cocktail to the fam over the summer, and it was such a hit that we decided to revisit it on our recent beach vacation. It’s the perfect mix of tart yet sweet, easy yet sophisticated.

What’s this intoxicating drink, you may ask? The Sparkling Campari Cocktail. Campari is an aperitif that we’ve sampled on S&C before. From Italian origins, Campari is perhaps most well-known for its use in the classic Negroni (which combines the aperitif with gin and vermouth). Campari is a member of a family of beverage called bitters which – you guessed it – are known for their bitter and slightly biting flavor, often derived from herbal infusions. Bitters are a great way to tone down a too-sweet-beverage-treat.

In keeping with our Italian inspiration, there’s no better partner for an Italian aperitif than an Italian sparkling wine. Prosecco plus Campari plus plenty of citrus equals a winning combo.

Sparkling Campari Cocktail
Serves 6.

  • 1 large orange, sliced, plus additional slices for garnish
  • 1 large lemon, sliced
  • 1 cup Campari
  • 1 bottle Prosecco or sparkling wine
  • Ice

Muddle Campari and sliced fruit in a small bowl for several minutes to release juices. Divide juice and Campari mixture between six glasses filled with ice (about an ounce of Campari per glass, or slightly more if you prefer more of a bitter bite in your cocktail). Top with Prosecco and garnish with additional orange slices.

Posted by Miss Mojito.

1 Comment

Posted in campari, spirits

Tagged

Gone fishin’

Posted on February 9, 2009 by | 4 comments

Last week’s episode of Top Chef featured chef Eric Ripert as guest judge. And now, I am totally crushing on him. He was super friendly and sweet and encouraging, and he seemed to be without pretense. He has definitely skyrocketed into my Top 5 celebrity chef picks. And, as good timing would have it, Ms. S&C was able to visit Chef Ripert’s Washington, DC, restaurant, Westend Bistro, over the weekend. Like the acclaimed Le Bernardin, seafood is the star at Westend. The Salmon Rillettes and Fish Burger may sound like average dishes, but they were excellent. Ms. S&C had a great cocktail too – the Memorial Bridge Sunset was made with Campari and Champagne, garnished with a dollop of pink grapefruit sorbet. I’ve never mixed Campari with Champagne before, but I definitely will again.

On to the Top Chef recap. The Quickfire Challenge had the cheftestants competing in a three-round fish filleting tournament with sardines, Artic char and fresh water eels. Stefan easily beat Hosea in the final round, after hammering the eel to his cutting board and peeling back the skin. It was a little disconcerting, to be honest. Stefan did not get immunity but got a huge advantage in the Elimination Challenge. After dining with Chef Ripert at Le Bernardin for lunch, the cheftestants had to draw knives to see which of his dishes they had to recreate for the Elimination. Stefan’s Quickfire win meant he could choose his dish outright. Naturally, Stefan chose the easiest dish and tops Fabio and Carla to get another win. Hosea, Leah and Jamie were on the bottom. I would have paid money to see Leah go, but it was Jamie who was sent home, presumably for not liking braised celery and not knowing how to use serrano ham in a sauce.

lobster-asparagusStefan’s winning dish of lobster and asparagus with hollandaise

For the drink pairing, I would personally have a glass of champagne or a crisp sauvignon blanc with this dish, as to not overpower the lobster.  So, in honor of a killer deal I found on champagne over at Pearson’s Wine & Spirits, I’ll pair it with the Fat Bastard Blanc de Blancs. They are practically giving it away over there — $5.99 a bottle! I so regret not buying a case.

posted by Ms. S&C

4 Comments

Posted in campari, cocktails, spirits

Tagged , , ,

Bitter pink insanity!

Posted on July 26, 2008 by | 2 comments

The Shoes: My Pink Ferragamos

Bitterly insane is exactly what I would be if I didn’t own these shoes. They are by far the most elegant (and expensive) shoes in my closet. Lucky for moi, I didn’t pay a dime for them (another shout-out to LC). They are classic and timeless. They are Ferragamos.

Italian designer, Salvatore Ferragamo, was a pioneer of fashion. Born in 1898, he had already made his first pair of shoes at that age of nine. From a family of poor farmers, who couldn’t afford to buy shoes for his sisters’ first communion, Ferragamo borrowed materials from the local cobbler and made their shoes, rather than facing the same of seeing them wear clogs to church.

Ferragamo’s talent and genius ascended him to Hollywood and he earned a reputation for being a “shoemaker to the stars.” Though my research is inconclusive, it appears he designed Dorothy’s ruby slippers in the Wizard of Oz, and he’s credited with inventing the wedge(!) in 1938, for Judy Garland. His most famous invention was the cork wedge, which paved the way for platforms. He was a visionary and an inspiration, and now, my obsession.

The Occasion:

The shoes are fitted for the red carpet and the streets of Paris. For me, they mean I have an absolute go-to item for any cocktail party, fancy dinner, or event where I want to stand out. If it is a party I’m hosting? Bring on the bruschetta, antipasto, caponata, and this unique pre-dinner cocktail.

The Drink: Negroni

I can’t get enough of the old-school cocktails. The Negroni is a perfect match because of its sublime color, because it is Italian, and because it is made with Campari. The Negroni was invented in Florence in 1919, at Caffe Casoni, because Count Camillo Negroni added gin to his favorite drink, the Americano. Campari, the notable ingredient, is definitely an acquired taste, and is probably better known for their vintage posters. It is a grand aperitif.

The Ingredients/Recipe:

I’ve altered the original recipe slightly by adding extra sweet vermouth and extra orange. I definitely recommend this version for first-timers. The bitterness is like nothing you’ve ever tasted.

  • Fill cocktail glass with ice
  • Combine 1 part gin, 1 part Campari, 1 part sweet vermouth (be generous), and fresh squeezed orange juice (to taste) in an ice filled shaker
  • Shake until well chilled and strain into glass
  • Garnish with orange slice

Cin cin!

posted by Ms. S&C

2 Comments

Posted in campari, cocktails, gin, shoes, spirits, sweet vermouth

Tagged , , , , , , ,