European Flair For The US Home

Weekend cocktail: Buck’s Fizz or Mimosa Buck’s Fizz invented in 1921 at the Buck’s Club, London; is two parts champagne to one part orange juice. While the Mimosa invented in 1925 at the Ritz Carlton, Paris; is equal parts champagne and orange juice. Alfred Hitchcock popularized the Mimosa as a brunch drink in the United States in the 1940’s.

Caroling, Caroling, now we go Christmas bells are ringing!   Caroling didn’t begin as a Christmas tradition. In the 13th century, well wishers went from house to house in the winter months to give out well wishes in song. Francis of Assisi, in the 15th century incorporated those same well wishes into his Christmas services giving rise to the form of Christmas Caroling we see today. 

  Weekend Cocktail: Orange Calvados This is a heart warming cocktail for chilly nights 2 shots of Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao 1 shot of Calvados VSOP Brandy Stir  and serve over ice

  Christmas Crackers are festive table decorations that make a snapping sound when pulled open. They were invented by Tom Smith who owned a sweet shop in 1847 London. They are part of Christmas celebrations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Commonwealth.  In more recent times, they have become part of the US Christmas table decor.  Crackers are typically pulled at the dinner table.  In one version of the cracker tradition, the person with the larger portion of cracker empties the contents from the tube and keeps them. In another, each person has their own cracker and keeps its contents regardless of whose end they were in. Typically these contents are a coloured paper hat, a small trinket, a riddle or piece of trivia on a small strip of paper. The paper hats, with the appearance of crowns, are usually worn when eating Christmas dinner.