adventures of an american housewife in the south of france

Hump Day: Italian Aperitivo

During our road trip through Italy, I became pretty obsessed with the Italian tradition of the Aperitivo Hour(s).  Usually between about 5-7pm, many bars and cafés will offer a variety of free finger foods with your pre-dinner drink.  We had a great time munching on the little bruschettas, mozzerella, marinated artichokes, and crudités.  While I bounced back and forth night after night between Prosecco and...

Hump Day: Aperitif

Have dinner at any restaurant in France and the first thing they will ask you is, "Désirez-vous un apéritif?"  An aperitif is a refreshing pre-dinner drink that is meant to stimulate the appetite. Usually The Hub and I go straight for the wine, but lately we've been imbibing in a more traditional pre-dinner drink:  the Kir Royale.  We drank a lot of these while we were in Paris with my parents.   I'd...

Hump Day: Cool As A Cucumber Summer Cocktail

Here's a short story about the South of France: They don't sell club soda in grocery stores. The End. Seriously.  It's nowhere.  I came up with this Cool Summer Cocktail made with cucumber, basil and mint after being inspired by this recipe from Bon Appétit, but for the life of me couldn't find seltzer or club soda.  I ended up just using sparkling water, and it was NOT the same. We decided that...

Hump Day: Taste of the Caribbean

Yesterday we had our Monthly Office Happy Hour at work.  It's nice to work at a place where events like Happy Hour are valued and given a 4:00 time slot.  I was in charge of bringing this month's cocktail and, still feeling like the new girl, wanted to make something that my co-workers would really like.  It's been gray, dreary and rainy here in SF the last few weeks, so I thought a fun island drink like these...

Hump Day: 10 Years in the Making

"10 years ago today, I left my cold, snowy Midwestern home to get on a plane to San Francisco. When I landed, I was greeted at the airport by my good friend Alan, the 70 degree sunshine, and cool little apartment in Noe Valley. I remember thinking that moving here was the vacation I always wanted to take; a chance for me to really get to know a place for longer than a few days. I never thought that vacation would...

Hump Day: French 75

A few weeks ago, I went with my French friend to a French bistro in Union Square.  It was all very...French.  Obviously, I was in heaven.  We arrived at Cafe De La Presse around 3pm on a Saturday and decided that it was time to start drinking.  After I perused their cocktail list, I settled on a French 75 because it sounded light bodied, crisp, and boozy. Someone please tell me why I am just discovering...

Hosting a Weekend Brunch

One of my favorite things about living in a city environment is Brunch. Brunch is huge.  It's a way to get together with friends, celebrate the weekend, and provides an excuse to start drinking at 11am.  Which brings me to the part I love most about Brunch:  multiple beverages.   Water, Coffee, Juice, Champagne...take your pick or take them all.  And I will take all of them. Recently, my lovely friend...

Hump Day: Festive Holiday Cocktails

Happy Hump Day everyone!  It's official, the holidays are in full swing.  Tomorrow I'll be attending my first of many holiday parties this season and to get in the spirit, I thought I'd share some pretty delicious looking and festive cocktails that I found.  I can't wait to try these out .  What's your favorite holiday cocktail? Peppermint Patty You'll Need: - 1 oz. Smirnoff Vodka - 1 oz. Peppermint...

Hump Day: What To Drink With Your Turkey

Thanksgiving is tomorrow!  Thanksgiving is tomorrow!  The only bad thing about that is that my favorite holiday will soon be over.  I can't wait to stuff my face with deep fried turkey, delicious stuffing, mashed potatoes, and my mini pumpkin cheesecakes.  So what should we be drinking with this feast?  I did some research that I'd like to share with you on this Hump Day. This Cooking Light article suggests...

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