Valentine's Day...or After

Surprise your Sweetheart with a Kir Royale!

In a champagne flute (or a white wine glass)

½ ounce Crème de Cassis (I also love Chambord as a substitute)
A drop of freshly squeezed lime juice (optional)
Garnish the rim of the glass, see below
Fill with Champagne

*for fun, place a red foil-wrapped chocolate in the bottom of the glass!

Sugar rim: on a small plate wider than the edge of your glass, pour a shallow layer of fine sugar; wet the rim of the glass with lime…I squeeze a small amount of lime juice in another small plate and then dip the rim of the glass; dip the rim evenly in the sugar and then tap lightly to remove excess before turning the glass over...and let it set, then you will not have a mouthful of suger when you sip.

• Non-alcoholic variety: Substitute a 1/2 ounce of cranberry or pomegranate juice (or any favorite) for the Creme de Cassis; substitute a non-alcoholic Champagne.
• Chocolate-covered strawberries are very easy to make! Take any kind of chocolate and melt in the microwave. Leave stems on the strawberries. Dip them and then place on wax paper to set, place in the refrigerator.
• One of my favorite champagnes is Freixenet, and here is their product link: http://www.freixenetusa.com/