Oscar Buzz: an Academy Awards Cocktail (recipe).

You may not know this, but in addition to being a boozy and foodie enthusiast, I'm also a SAG-AFTRA actress, so when awards season comes along I watch all of the nominated films and I usually have friends over for drinks and appetizers while we guess who the big winners will be. Well, this year, I've created a new Oscar-themed cocktail with some sophistication and fizz because what's the Oscars without some bubbly?

My new OSCAR BUZZ cocktail is made with Amaretto Limoncello, Almond Sparkling Wine and fresh strawberry puree. Are you getting thirsty yet? I'm using the same easy Amaretto Limoncello recipe I made in my last blog post with Ciroc Amaretto. If you don't want to make your own limoncello you can easily substitute store bought limoncello instead. I bought the bottle of Almond Creek Vineyards almond sparkling wine for only $5.99 at Trader Joe's; it's bubbly, subtly sweet and obviously not as expensive as real Champagne, so that's great. The strawberry puree is simple to make, and by straining it with a cocktail strainer you'll save your guests from leaving strawberry seeds in their teeth.

You can make this Oscar Buzz cocktail with or without ice, but I like the idea of making it "cocktail style" with ice, plus it's one of those drinks that somehow keeps its original flavor profile even when the ice melts a little.

The Academy Awards on coming up on Sunday, February 22nd, so make sure to watch my Oscar Buzz cocktail video and follow my easy recipe to learn some other mixology shortcuts. I do have a handful of favorite actors and movies that I'm rooting for so make sure to follow my Twitter feed as I live tweet my faves (especially the red carpet looks). Cheers, and I really hope you get a chance to make and enjoy this tasty Oscar-themed drink!

Oscar BUZZ cocktail

(makes 1 cocktail)

Ingredients:

*(makes puree for up to 4 cocktails)

*Strawberry Puree Ingredients:

*Make the puree: In a food processor, place 6 de-stemmed strawberries with sugar and lemon juice and pulse until smooth. Tip: peel lemons and reserve long lemon peels (for garnish) before you juice your lemons.

Directions:

Make *strawberry puree. In a shaker tin add amaretto limoncello and puree and do a dry shake (no ice) for about 5 seconds. Use a cocktail strainer and strain puree into the bottom of your glass. Add fresh ice and top with almond sparking wine. Serve drink showing colors separated for a neat visual effect or use a cocktail stirrers to blend both liquid components together. Garnish with a strawberry and lemon peel. Enjoy!