Good Fortune, Repurposed Find and a Festive Cocktail

Symbols of good fortune in the Chinese New Year include oranges and tangerines (good health & long life); tangerines with leaves intact (long lasting relationships; fruitful and multiply as in having children); persimmons (happiness and wealth).

I have a set of twins so obviously I prohibit tangerines in my home!  Instead, I decided to raid my fridge for anything orange and came up with grapefruits and clementines.  

I snagged this huge old paper cutter at a store closing sale (found some other great stuff that I'll share soon).  My first thought was that it would make a great cheese board (don't ask me why I think this way).

First, I tied the slicer down with twine since I don't want to be responsible for anybody losing a digit at my house!  Now it sits proudly on my kitchen counter just waiting to hold the object of the week.

Two milk glass bowls from my collection were taken from their usual home in the dining room hutch and now hold the fruit.  A few sprigs of rosemary add color and smell fab!

The grapefruit are not only great to display - they make one heck of a yummy cocktail!  The Cielo Rosso (Italian for Red Sky) is my cocktail of the moment (but that could change at any time!).  When I read it won the Las Vegas competition called Shake it Up: The Battle of the Mixologists, I had to whip it up!  It has a festive red color which makes it perfect around the holidays (or any time as far as I'm concerned)!  It involves lots of squeezing but it's so worth it!  I will definitely be making this for New Year's Eve!  

Cielo Rosso

1 ounce Campari
2 ounces SKYY Infusions Citrus (I use plain vodka)
2 ounces Fresh Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice
1 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice
1 ounce Simple Syrup (combine equal parts water and sugar, boil until dissolved, cool)
Fresh Basil

Shake ingredients with ice, and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist and a fresh basil leaf.


I usually quadruple (or more!) the recipe for parties.  Make a batch in advance and get your party started!

So start rummaging through your house and find something orange to bring good fortune to your New Year!  

Cheers & Happy New Year!

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