Snowy Day Drinks

 
Work, a round of stomach illness, and half-term break have all led to a massive slow down in my Bellini posting output. Not to worry though- I sense a change in the weather… spring is finally around the corner, and with it, fresh frolicking and enjoyment of our peachy fizz! Any places you think we ought to try? Please let me know.


In the meantime, it is still the dead of winter in New Jersey, though the massive snowstorms haven’t stopped Heloise and family from partying. Don’t recall Heloise’s handsome, teenage son Luke, and his quest for a Bellini throughout Europe? Read my post ‘First Sip, First Love.’

This week Heloise wrote: “We here in Princeton are on our second (!) snow day in a row. Can you believe it? The superintendent of schools, who is very stingy about closing school, is in China with the orchestra, and her replacement seems to be more relaxed about keeping everybody at home. Love snow days!

Luke had an evening basketball game on Tuesday (my birthday), so I knew we would all get home late. Since there was no time to cook I decided to have take-out Japanese (did you ever try Tomo Sushi? Really good) and Bellinis for my birthday dinner. This is the second time we've tried the canned Cipriani Bellini mix.

The first time was a cold evening in January, right after the New Year. We had a random assortment of people here. We had invited the daughter of a friend of ours, who is a senior at the university for dinner. Luke was around and Tait, who was home from London for the holidays, showed up after a weekend in New York. At the very, very last minute Gill invited our friends Rainer, visiting from Seattle, and Jane, from Princeton- they are dating... it's a long story.

At 6 o'clock I had gone from small dinner for 4, to a serious meal for 7. Since there wasn't going to be much food for anyone I decided to try and distract them with drinks. When people arrived I offered some (very good) scotch or Bellinis. Almost everybody went for the Bellinis.

I think you’d be critical of the mix itself. It was carbonated, and had ingredients such as sugar, citric acid, ascorbic acid, potassium sorbate, and 25% peach juice. However, mixed with prosecco on a cold winter evening, for the undiscerning Bellini drinker, it was a hit.

Back to the more recent birthday dinner for 3...Fortunately Luke’s basketball team won (by one point), school for the next day was cancelled due to the storm, and so he was able to have a Bellini with us. I’d otherwise have felt guilty giving him one, if he had school the next day. The three of us enjoyed our Bellinis (citric acid and all) from the comfort of home, as we watched the snow fall.”