Tag Archives: italy

Salute Italia

Posted on September 30, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Dear Italy,

I miss you. I miss my morning cappuccino. I miss my afternoon caffe (and those well-dressed baristas with their cute hats). I miss the grazies and the pregos. I miss al dente pasta. I miss fresh seafood. I miss your vino rosso. I miss saying vino rosso, per favore. Of course I miss your pizza. I even miss your graffiti and the crowded streets in Naples. I miss taking the train to Pompeii, to Sorrento, to Rome. I miss that nocciotella gelato I had in Amalfi.

I miss the sea view from my hotel room in Positano (I miss all the views!). I miss the sound of the waves crashing on Fornillo beach. I miss the Mediterranean air. I even miss those grueling stairs and steep climbs.

Other things I miss:

Lunch in Positano: prosecco, birra, misto di verdure (mixed vegetable platter), and usually al fresco.

This view of the Amalfi Coast. Is there anything more beautiful?

Visiting musuems like the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, in Naples.

Gelato. Did I mention the daily gelato?

I’m not sure when I’ll see you again (but, I plan on seeing you again!).

Amore,

Ms. S&C

[Update: For those of you keeping track of such things — you’re not crazy — this post *has* been updated with new pictures and slightly modified text. Nothing major (and not that we’re close), but we strive for perfection at S&C.]

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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.

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Tell me

Posted on September 19, 2010 by | 1 comment

Herbal spirits like Chartreuse, Bénédictine, Pimm’s, and Lillet are all the rage these days. Why are these liqueurs appearing on just about every cocktail menu put in front of you? They aren’t new spirits. In fact, most are quite old (Pimm’s was created in 1859, Bénédictine in the late 1860’s). Maybe that’s why? What’s old is new?

Ms. S&C isn’t complaining. She likes herbal aromatic additions in a cocktail. They add a layer of complexity, and without any danger of making the drink too sweet. Ms. S&C has come across a few other, lesser know, botanical spirits that she’s fallen for:  Dimmi and Aperol. Both of which happen to be Italian herbal liqueurs, and that’s particularly apropo since Ms. S&C is traveling to Italy (for the first time ever!) today!!!

Dimmi translates to “tell me,” a phrase used frequently between friends in Italy, especially on the telephone. Dimmi includes a secret blend of herbs and fruit essences such as liquorice, vanilla, rhubarb, ginseng and bitter orange. It is great with citrus and strawberries. Ms. S&C first experimented with Dimmi by pureeing *very* ripe strawberries, adding the liquor, ice, and topping it with seltzer. She also garnished with rosemary from her garden, for extra aroma. It was an intensely refreshing cocktail — one that she needs a name for.

Ms. S&C tries out a few herbal Italian liqueurs, like Dimmi, in preparation for her first visit to Italy.

Ms. S&C also tried the “Herbal Sour” cocktail recipe from the Dimmi website. This drink includes one of Ms. S&C favorite cocktail techniques: infused simple syrup (using  thyme and rosemary from her garden). Infusing simple syrup takes a little bit of work (so does fresh-squeezing grapefruits, lemons, and limes), but it is all worth it for this cocktail.

Ms. S&C’s colorful concoction of Aperol and Prosecco match the colorful concoction of her Nanette Lapore pants.

Aperol has been mentioned on the S&C blog before. Miss Mojito came across it last fall at a restaurant in Richmond. Ms. S&C found herself at the same restaurant not too long ago and tried Aperol for the first time. It was like love at first site. The spirit is bitter, colorful, and a lot like Campari. Ms S&C’s drink at Acacia was called the Mid-town Spritz and ingredients included:  Aperol, gin, orange juice, housemade fennel syrup, Prosecco. However, when at home, she can also recommend a simple mix of Prosecco with a few splashes of Aperol.

Ms. S&C wants to know: Ms. S&C wants you to tell her you would like to see more of (or less of). She’s going to be on vacay for a little more than a week, but during this time, she’d love for readers to tell her what they want on this blog. More pictures? More style tips? More menswear (any menswear?) More food and drink pairings? More bar recommendations? More shoes? More outfits? More party planning? Tell me!

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