Wanted a mimosa like drink to go with the lunch sitting in the sun by the pool. But did not want too sweet a drink. Went with a drink called soiree – pomegranate juice, limoncello and champagne.

This is a spin off from a Sidecar. The rum is extra. Else, it has the usual brandy, lemon juice and triple sec. (Sidecar uses a similar orange liqueur – Cointreau). The proper garnish for a “Between the Sheets” is a flamed orange peel as done here. The drink originates from Paris in the 1930s.

A Monte Carlo is basically a variation of a Manhattan and dates back to 1948. It uses Rye Whisky (I used Templeton) and bitters (I used Angostura). And instead of vermouth, it uses Benedictine. Being a brandy based liqueur with something like 56 herbs and spices (that includes saffron), it brings a very different flavor and finish to the sips.

Classical Margarita!