The Lush Chef

Continuing with the brunch theme this week, I offer one of my new favorite cocktails to serve.  About a month ago, I was having brunch with my girl friends at Milo & Olive in Santa Monica.  I'm a fan of any restaurant with Zoe Nathan and Josh Loeb involved.  Since we had waited a while for a table in this tiny, neighborhood spot, we all decided we needed a drink by the time we sat down.  We each ended up ordering a round of their Grapefruit Sparklers.  It was just a simple drink with fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice, prosecco and a fruity red wine float, but I was truly impressed.  The flavors were bright and clean and a red wine float always looks impressive.  Here's my version of that cocktail.  Use a fruity red wine like a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Zinfandel.

Grapefruit Sparkler
Ingredients:

• Chilled prosecco (I used LaMarca)
• 3 oz fresh-squeezed pink grapefruit juice
• Fruity red wine (I used Beaulieu Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon)

- Fill a glass halfway with prosecco and top with the grapefruit juice.
- Hold the back of a spoon over your glass and slowly pour a little bit of the red wine over the back of a spoon.  I poured just enough to create about 1/2 inch of the float.