Strawberry Champagne Cocktails

So, I had a reader email me and ask me to point out more specifically when I roll over an ingredient or when I use leftovers to create another recipe. You asked for it, dear reader. I’m almost 100% positive that this isn’t what you had in mind. I made french toast for my husband on our anniversary, you know this. However, what you didn’t see was this cocktail.

I made those stewed strawberries and quickly realized that what I had in my pan was strawberry simple syrup. I poured some into each champagne flute, added a little bit of orange liqueur and topped it with champagne. They pack a punch, and they do down easy. Consider yourself warned.

Life has been busy lately, but I’ve been getting my fun in here and there. Saturday night, my girl Sandy was in town. The men made plans, and we called some of our favorite ladies to join us for dinner. Tapas at Solera was the first stop on the agenda.

We got a high top table at the bar along the windows, stick with me here, you’ll get why I’m telling you this in a minute. We started with a couple of appetizers and a few cocktails. Before long, we realized that there is a hotel across the street, and that no one had closed the blinds. There were a whole mess of dudes on the top floor getting ready for a night out. Dudes, you act like women you know that? It really shouldn’t take you that long to create the “I didn’t try, my hair just looks like this” look.

On the second floor of the hotel it looked like a bachelorette party of sorts. There were a whole mess of women and curling irons and make up. Yes, we could see this much detail. After the sun goes down people you should really close your blinds. With your lights on and the blinds open people passing by can see EV.ER.Y.THING. They were clearly playing music, since there was dancing and singing.

Next door (or what looked like next door) was what appeared to be a photographer setting up lighting equipment. It seemed strange, but whatever. Before we knew it we were watching the women move from the side with curling irons and make up to the side with the photographer. Huh. Those rooms are connected, strange.

Before we knew it we were watching a rotating boudoir session. Each girl went into the other side one at a time, had their photos taken and then went back. This story is probably sounding like we just sat and watched this unfold, and that’s really not the case, I swear. But, it was sort of a train wreck.

Side note :  dinner was delicious. Creole shrimp over grits… must.recreate.