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Toast the Season with an Inspired Champagne Bar

To add a whimsical twist to this year’s home celebrations, host an interactive flavored champagne bar

By Madelyn Miller

Everyone knows I love to taste new flavors and try new culinary combinations. So when four yummy bottles of Torani flavors arrived at my door the day before a double header holiday party weekend, I knew exactly what to bring.

Dining at my friend Diane Teitlebaum’s house is always a delight, because she offers  yummy food, fun friends and amusing conversation. It does not  hurt that because she is a celebrated wine writer, she also has a stash of great wines.

In an inspired moment, I called to ask if she had any Champagne on hand. “Of course,” she replied. And she was thrilled to try the idea of a champagne bar. All I had to do was bring my Torani syrups. I contributed Blackberry and Tamarind and the idea was a big hit. I know you can never go wrong with champagne—but I did not know how much more fun it would be with the syrups.

Two other guests, Kevin Kalley and David Currier, who studied in France and have excellent cooking skills, are serious wine drinkers whose travels take them to top wine areas. Would tasting flavored champagnes be too frivolous for them, I wondered?

Kevin, who once co-owned a house in Mexico, loved the sweet and sour taste of the Tamarind, a flavor very popular in that country. I agreed. Kevin added about ¼ syrup to the champagne. I mixed mine almost half and half (to please my sweet palate)

Diane mixed the Blackcurrent by eye, looking for a certain color. David carefully measured his and said it reminded him of a Kir Royal.

The winner? We all loved blending our own and I promised to bring more flavors the next time we get together. I just hope Diane has enough champagne for us to continue our research through the dozens of flavors.

I can’t take total credit for this idea. Torani, the leading name in flavoring syrups,  has come up with a sparkling idea that creates a true party centerpiece, an interactive champagne bar.  Mix one part Torani with two parts champagne and top with a dash of guest participation.  Presto! - a lively and memorable party.

Making your guests an active part of the party experience is a great way to encourage conversation, and makes it easy for the party host to spend more time mingling and less time topping-off glasses.  That said, it does help to provide a few creative hints for your guests to really get things going.   In terms of actual necessities, the Torani ‘Champagne Bar’ is very low maintenance:

1.    Champagne (or sparkling apple cider for the designated drivers)
2.    A selection of popular Torani flavors – Caramel, Raspberry and Vanilla are festive favorites
3.    Accessories – have fun personalizing the bar, it is often the little touches that really make a party beverage stand out from the crowd. Encourage guests to add further sparkle with decorative toothpicks loaded with surprises like gummi bears, candied ginger, mini-marshmallows, gum drops and fruit wedges.
4.  Champagne suggestions:  for one stop shopping visit Cost Plus World Market – www.costplus.com - to purchase Torani and Champagne.  Seasonal Champagne suggestions include:  
Cristalino Brut
This festive Spanish Cava delivers abundant cheer (and value) to the holiday party season.
Zardetto Prosecco
The Venetian sparkling treat accented by soft bubbles loaded with a pleasingly sweet taste.
 Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut
Bubbly from Washington State? Domaine Ste.Michelle sparkles with the best of our top-value picks. Smashing with salty snacks!
Gloria Ferrer Brut or Blanc de Noirs
The chilly San Francisco Bay has a big influence on the terrific sparkling wines of Gloria Ferrer. Uncorking a bottle is cooler yet.
Domaine Chandon Brut or Blanc de Noirs
A classically tuned Napa Valley spin on the French method of Champagne. C'est tres bien!

MERRY BERRY BUBBLY

1/2 cup Torani Strawberry  syrup  
1 bottle of good champagne    
Fill 4 glasses with  champagne  Add 2 Tbsp. Torani  Strawberry syrup to each glass  Garnish with clean, fresh  strawberries  Enjoy!  
Additional ideas:  Try this recipe with  sparkling cider for children or your non-drinking guests.  

Torani Sparklers can be created with single or multiple flavor combinations, guests are limited only by their imaginations. Naturally-flavored, Torani syrups are available in fruit, nut and spice flavors so there really is something to please all tastes. Additionally, the syrups contain no fat, no alcohol and are low in calories (typically about 70 calories per ounce).  A selection of Torani syrups are also available in Sugar Free.

Torani is available at select grocery and specialty retail locations such as Cost Plus, Albertson's and Safeway (look in the coffee aisle), and through online distributors found on www.torani.com.  For more recipe inspiration, please visit www.torani.com or call 800-775-1925 and to receive a complimentary recipe brochure.

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