I’ve mentioned in the past that one of the reasons I love my neighbors Yves and Sienna is because they invite us over – often – for cocktails. They live just on the other side of the courtyard, so it’s almost like staying at home, but even better. And while I like going over to their place in the winter (see this cozy cold weather cocktail) I really love it when we get a chance to hang out on their fabulous terrace.
While Sienna is a great cook (and has a company that leads culinary tours in Rome) Yves is the barman in the family. Although good at the classics, he’s more likely to whip up something completely new. This time around he took cognac (please note: we finished off the bottle) and prosecco, with just a bit of Creme de Mure, bitters and Maraschino.
We called it the Sabine. Why? Because when Sienna asked me where I bought the shirt I was wearing, I told her it was designed by my friend Sabine. And we decided that it was a nice name for a cocktail too. (And that’s how cocktails get their names. In case you wondered).
Yves mixed up the drinks in the kitchen, and there was a big discussion about how to garnish them. Yves kept it simple, a classy monotone (very French) with just a couple of lemon twists. Sienna – who is also an artist – thought it needed more oomph. Maybe a maraschino cherry? We left them as they were – all golden and bubbly – until we got up to the rooftop terrace. The wild strawberry plant – filled with fruit – was too much to resist. We each plucked off a berry and plopped it in. The springtime garnish we were all looking for.
The Sabine
4 drinks
3 oz Cognac
1 oz Maraschino
4 tsp Creme de Mure (blackberry liqueur)
orange bitters
Prosecco
Lemon twists
wild strawberries
Pour armagnac and Maraschino into cocktail shaker. Fill with ice, and shake to chill.
Strain into chilled cocktail glasses, about half way up.
Add a tsp of Mure to each glass and top up with prosecco.
Garnish with two lemon twists and 1 strawberry in each glass. 
Elizabeth’s Newsletter from Italy
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This looks very delicious! The liquor market in Italy is so different compared to Canada. I tried this amazing martini brand drink and of course I can’t find it anywhere here. I got it in Vicenza at a bar when I asked for a martini and he pour a small glass full of this smooth and delicious clear liquid from a Martini brand bottle.
I just found your blog thanks to the La Vita e Bella blog. I commented on that as well. I am a university student working on my last year of my double major in creative writing and art history. I am currently writing a Travel Poetry book with my own photos included. All of the poems are inspired by my travels. I would love to send you one when it is completed in July 2011.
Feel Free to visit my blog!
canadianculinarytravel.blogspot.com
The Wanderfull Traveler
That was a damned good cocktail! I have been thinking about it ever since and am looking for a repeat! Maybe this weekend…
Thanks for the lovely blog Elizabeth! Absolutely lovely! Now that the weather is getting nice it is definitely the time to invent more cocktails!
It looks and sounds (as my mother used to say) divoon! Don’t be surprised, all of you in the greater Steve R neighborhood, if I rip this off – I mean, adapt it – for my own column. (There’s no way I can find wild strawberries (a) and (b) I’m not so sure about the blackberry stuff. Cassis may have to substitute.
Ed: Really? Can’t get Mure? But Creme de Casis (red or black) would work just as well I”m sure.
Murissa: That ‘clear liquid’ was Marini Bianco, a type of vermouth. Very easy to find.
Sienna: Can’t wait for the next one.