Saturday, May 26, 2012

Cocktail Hour Blog Hop



Amy from http://copperdiem.blogspot.com/  invited us to join her in a fun cocktail hour blog hop. So pull up a chair and have a cocktail with me.  I am serving Bellini's


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  I went to the Internet, "the source for all knowledge" and found http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellini_(cocktail) and got the following information:

"A Bellini is a long drink cocktail that originated in Venice. It is a mixture of sparkling wine (traditionally Prosecco) and peach purée often served at celebrations. It is one of Italy's most popular cocktails.[1]

The Bellini was invented sometime between 1934 and 1948[1][2][3][4] by Giuseppe Cipriani, founder of Harry's Bar in Venice, Italy. Because of its unique pink color, which reminded Cipriani of the color of the toga of a saint in a painting by 15th-century Venetian artist Giovanni Bellini, he named the drink the Bellini.[1][5]"
  

I searched and searched for a picture of the Saint, but could not find one. 


"The drink started as a seasonal specialty at Harry's Bar, a favorite haunt of Ernest Hemingway, Sinclair Lewis and Orson Welles.[1][5] Later, it also became popular at the bar's New York counterpart. After an entrepreneurial Frenchman set up a business to ship fresh white peach pureé to both locations, it was a year-round favorite.[2]

The Bellini is an IBA Official Cocktail, thus indicating its popularity and making it a well-known cocktail to many professional bartenders.  In relation to the United States: "I think that the Bellini growth is tied to the very strong Italian chain restaurant growth, especially Olive Garden, since Italian restaurants are where Bellinis and drinks like them are featured and promoted," says Jack Robertiello, editor of Cheers magazine.[1]
A frozen Bellini was the signature drink of Romano's Macaroni Grill, a chain restaurant in the U.S.A.
Bellinis are consumed throughout the first half of Geoff Dyer's Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi.
The maitre d' at the Manhattan restaurant Pastel in Bret Easton Ellis' American Psycho brings 3 rounds of complimentary Bellinis, none of which the men drink.
In the 2011 American comedy film Jumping the Broom, Bellinis were served when the families of the bride and groom met for the first time.

 I went all out in doing research and preparation for my Bellini inspired creation!  My sweet husband went out and brought home all the ingredients to make a Bellini.  I made a batch, did not wait and let it get frozen, so we had them right after I finished blending.  They were very tasty, a little sweet, but very good.

I also went to both Olive Garden and Macaroni Grill and had a Bellini.  At Olive Garden I had a strawberry Bellini, it was frozen and very good.  While at Macaroni Grill I had their signature Bellini, which is no longer frozen and it was not good. 


This is the Bellini that was not tasty!
Although I much prefer pink colors to peach, I decided to make my design with peach colors.  I did use just a hint of pink.  I thought  the Cellini spiral would be the perfect thing to go with my Bellini.  I stitched the center of the necklace using the Cellini stitch and the sides of the necklace were done using a regular spiral stitch with the same beads.  I joined the two spirals using orange flowers.  I finished the necklace with a stitched toggle clasp.  Over all I am pleased with how this piece turned out. 


I used light pink delicas in the center and pale orange on the sides of the spiral portion of the "Bellini Cellini". 


I will be making some Bellini's to enjoy while I visit all the other cocktail blog parties.  If you would like to make your own Bellini, here is the recipe I used. 

 Please take the time and visit all the other blogs and enjoy their cocktail inspired creations. 


Hostess:  Copper Diem 
 

23 comments:

  1. Man, I LOVE your idea of research- not one BUT TWO restaurants! Personally, I love a good Belinni! Your design is just gorgeous! LOVE IT!

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  2. Lovely! I always admire the patience of seed beaders. I think you did a great job capturing the spirit of your cocktail.

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  3. Gorgeous interpretation of your drink! I love Bellini's! I went by Harry's Bar, however I never went in, boo hoo!

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  4. Your necklace is perfect! Beautiful!
    I love Bellini's but I never made one. I might have to try that at home.

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  5. Beautiful colours you used in your impressive beadwork. If you really liked Bellinis may I make a sugestion? use frozen peaches in stead of ice,(freeze your own or buy them)& a splash of peach schnapps for sweetness, blend to a puree & mix each drink in the glass. the champagne makes the puree drinkable & it isn't watered down.( I may or may not have spent a summer drinking Bellinis in the pool?)

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  6. I am impressed with your research. I love your necklace, it turned out lovely.

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  7. That came out so cute - i love those colors together. Love all your research - you're my kinda gal! LOL! Thanks for hopping :)

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  8. Love your spirit for research !:) next time take a few of us with you !! Lovely necklace - I have complete beadweaving envy with that perfect spiral stitch!

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  9. That's some incredible beadwork! Love the pink and peach together.

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  10. That's gorgeous! I love the way it turned out, matches the drink perfectly.

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  11. Wow! That is a lot of info about the Bellini..thanks!

    And that bracelet is so pretty. I love the colors, and the pink spiral. LOVE!

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  12. A stunning piece! The colors are gorgeous. Thanks for the great info on the Bellini.

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  13. Oh, wow, that was some research you did!! Lovely necklace - beautiful and just peachy (pun intended :))

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  14. Bellisimo Bellini. I know I did not spell it right. But you captured the flavor of this drink in your beautiful design.

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  15. I love your bracelet! And I totally have to try Bellinis!

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  16. I loved reading your research! I can almost taste the bellinis ... wish I had one now!

    Your cellini bellini is beautiful! Nice job!

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  17. Perfect bracelet for this cocktail!!

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  18. Pretty! Wow your work is awesome...love the color combo. A lso appreciate our research, will try one next time go to Olive Garden.

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  19. Love the colours and your research is very impressive!
    Deb x

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  20. Love the colors - need to try bellinis!

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  21. I love how you went out and tried a bellini at a few different places as "research". LOL. I have yet to try my drink which is a gimlet.

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  22. Beautiful Bellini bracelet! Sounds like you had fun "researching" ;-)

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  23. I love the research you did! Your necklace is so beautiful, bright and cheerful!

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Thank you for taking the time to stop by, any and all comments are appreciated :)