Friday, May 7, 2010

Mother's Day Raspberry Rose Truffles and Champagne


Juno

Although celebrations of mother worship have existed since before the Greek’s honored Cybele and Roman women held their festival of Matronalia to honor Juno (goddess of war and motherhood), Mother’s Day as we know it was born in the common grief of loss after the Civil War.

Originally, “Mothers Friendship Day” was established in 1868 by Virginian Anne Marie Jarvis in an attempt to bind the wounds of enmity remaining between the North and the South.

I discovered on the West Virginia Civil War site that she was an amazing woman. Jarvis had saved thousands of lives during the war by teaching women the basics of nursing and sanitation that she had learned from her brother, physician James Reeves.
Julia Ward Howe had a Mothers Day celebration in 1872 and a temperance-inspired Mother’s Day was held in 1877, however, Mother’s Day was not declared a national holiday in the United States until May 9, 1914 when Woodrow Wilson decreed the holiday, thanks to the tireless work of Jarvis’ daughter Ann.
Times have changed since the Civil War in so many ways, but mothers still hold the world together when it comes near to whirling apart. There are still wars, mothers still cry and still do their best to make things “all better” as they have done since time began.
“The real religion of the world comes from women much more than from men - from mothers most of all, who carry the key of our souls in their bosoms.” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
Although the carnation is the official flower of Mother’s Day (because it was Ann Jarvis favorite flower with red if your mother was living or white if she was not), I have always thought of roses for Mother’s Day.
Ah, roses. I remember one Mother’s Day many years ago at a NYC restaurant known for extravagant flower arrangements and favored by the older, Upper East Side beige-haired set. The genteel calm was broken when a well turned-out mother (whose accent revealed her ‘outer borough’ origins), announced ”What, no roses?” with a piercing squawk to her son. The dignified son was mortified but the rest of the children in the room looked at him empathetically and a shared a universal eye roll.
I like to think of Mother’s Day as a day to celebrate mothers everywhere and I devised a champagne cocktail redolent of and inspired by CRISPIN'S Rose Liqueur (that is made with an apple and honey mead and thousands of hand harvested heirloom roses!!!!) blended with ripe fragrant raspberries (that are kissing cousins to the rose under the large familial umbrella of Rosaceae, genus rubus) with rose chocolate raspberries that would please and amuse any mother for this occasion.
I tip my glass to my wonderful mother, Dorothy. This is my first mother’s day without her.
Here is a drink both romantic and delicious -- for all those things they are and for all the things they have done for us, here’s to a day for moms full of love and a little coddling from their children and spouses.
Raspberry Rose Champagne Cocktail for 4
1 c raspberries
1 T lime juice
3 T Basil syrup (In ½ c warm simple syrup, soak basil leaves, 1 smashed clove, pinch allspice, ½ t lemon zest, 2 T orange juice and 2 t balsamic vinegar) allow to steep for a few hours and strain)
Champagne, or any dry sparkling wine
Or… If you can’t get the wonderful Crispin’s Rose Liqueur, use ½ c of Cognac and 2 T Rosewater.
Macerate the raspberries, lime juice, cognac and basil syrup with ½ the liqueur for a few hours, covered. Mash and strain them (or use a food mill, if you have one) pressing hard on the solids then add the rest of the liqueur. Spoon 2 T or more into the glass and pour champagne over the puree.
Rose Chocolate Raspberry Truffles
2 oz chocolate, chopped or shaved
5 T heavy cream
1 T butter
1- 2 T CRISPIN'S Rose Liqueur or 2 t rosewater
1/8 t. vanilla
2-3 T sugar
1/8 t chipotle chili powder
1/8 t cinnamon
1 box raspberries
cocoa for dusting
Warm the cream and add the chocolate to melt with the butter. Add the rose liqueur and spices. Cool a little and then dip your raspberries into the chocolate and refrigerate. When nearly firm, roll in cocoa. Serve with fresh raspberries and your champagne cocktails!
Thanks to everyone for clicking on the Google Ads. They paid for 1/6 th of my ticket to England!!!
Thanks to Lazaro Cooks for this lovely award... he is a tireless promoter of everyone's blogs... for that we are all grateful!
It's World Cocktail Week. Here’s to 207 years of drinking!

37 comments:

Diane said...

I will have to think of another excuse for this. Ah I know I will drink to my Mother, who I have missed for the past 8 years now, but she is still so much part of my life. I have so many of her 'things' around me..... this looks fantastic. Diane

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

This is a wonderful and informitive post! I love the history of Mother's Day and the way women can move the world and get things done!
Your beautiful liabation and decedent truffles are magazine worthy. I will be trying both.
So beautiful, I am your newest follower!
Yvonne

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

I had no idea that that was how Mother's Day started! Deana, I'm sorry that it's your first Mother's Day without your mum! What beautiful items though and I love how you made the raspberry truffles shaped like raspberries! :D

Rachana said...

Both the cocktail and the truffles looks gorgeous!!!
Happy Mother's day and have a great weekend!

Deana Sidney said...

Food FUn> This is a great liqueur.. I don't know if you can get it in France... but you should! I love champagne cocktails!
Yvonne> Thanks so much, your blog is so lovely it is quite a compliment!
Lorraine> They are raspberries covered (lightly) in chocolate. For once less is more with chocolate... if it is too thick the raspberries get lost!
Rachana> They are soooo good... I've been pinching them since yesterday!

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

Another wonderful and informative post and a lovely tribute to any mother. I'll toast to that! I would love to pop one of those truffles in my mouth right now!

Erika Beth, the Messy Chef said...

Oh wow! Both the drink and the raspberries look delish! I will mentally thank all the moms out there in the world while sipping on that cocktail this weekend (because I am determined to make it.) :)

Sarah said...

A wonderful tribute to your Mom. I love the chocolate dipped raspberries. How delicate! And the cocktail is beautiful, too. You are so creative!

Anonymous said...

What an amazing elegant cocktail! So perfect! The raspberry truffles are equally terrific!

Mary Bergfeld said...

This looks wonderful and I appreciate the background you've given us regarding the holiday. As to the cocktail...it's appropriately festive for Mother's Day. I'll have 3 please :-). Have a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

Lazaro Cooks said...

I love your posts, informative, well-written, researched. A tribute to be proud of. Fantastic drink and truffles. Have a happy & safe weekend. Cheers!

Inspired2cook said...

What a pretty Champagne cocktail! Perfect for Mother's Day!!! http://www.inspired2cook.com

Deanna said...

Deana, those truffles look absolutely divine. My mom (also a Dorothy) will absolutely love them!

Deana Sidney said...

Savoring> would that I could send one to you!
Erika Beth> SO easy to order online and how romantic is Rose Liqueur!
All or FIngers> Thanks Sarah.. mom would have loved those truffles!
5 star> I am developing the best liqueur collection on the planet!
Mary> I never knew any of it (aside from the Roman festival).
Lazaro> Glad you liked it, thanks!
Andrea> it is pretty... a lovely color!

tasteofbeirut said...

What a wonderful post and enjoyed reading about the historical background behind the celebration; these truffles and the drink are so over-the-top, i love them!!!

Faith said...

This is a really beautiful post, Deana. The history behind Mother's Day is so interesting.

The truffles you made are especially lovely, and that rose tablecloth is gorgeous! I'm so sorry to hear about your loss this Mother's Day.

Tasty Trix said...

Oh, it's your first Mother's Day without your mom? I am so sorry. It's my 5th. Still can't believe that. I hope everyone who is lucky enough to still have their mom makes this cocktail and these truffles for her! Beautiful.

Ginny said...

Gorgeous! Happy Mother's Day!

grace said...

i'm sorry you lost your mother this past year, but the post you've just written is a lovely homage to her and mothers everywhere! those truffles are oh-so-tempting. :)

Deana Sidney said...

Taste of Beirut>They are over the top but simple to do!
Faith> thanks... believe it or not it's an antique paper doily! They are amazing! I loved finding out about Jarvis... she helped save soldiers from both sides!
Trix>Yes... those with mothers will love them... or to those of us who miss ours we can make them and remember them!
Ginny> Thanks!
Grace>Yes, to mothers everywhere!

Emily said...

I'm sure your Mum would have loved these! Thanks for filling me in on the history of Mothers' Day. In Britain, it was already in March but I'm always happy for an excuse to try great things. Your cocktail and truffles are stunnning. Sorry to hear you're without your Mum, I can't imagine how hard that must be.

Hayley said...

Hi
I'm new follower on your blog...lovely space!! both coctail and truffles looks delicious...I know how you're feeling without your mum, same with me I lost too my mum few months back...I'm sure they are watching us and giving their blessings...In UK we alraedy celebrated mother's day in March...

Becky said...

Both look scrumptious, but the raspberry truffles ... in particular, mmmmmm ...

Linda said...

Deana...sending you a huge hug for tomorrow. I know it will be a bittersweet day for you.
Such a beautiful post! I am lucky to still have my Mom and my almost 99 year old Auntie to celebrate with and my two boys....I am blessed.
I love to visit you here...
L~xo

Deana Sidney said...

Vanessa>I think she would have loved them too ( although they are not sweet enough for her~) I will celebrate with my new baby St Bernard... I am a new mother afterall!
Jagruti> Thanks so much for joining. Sorry about your mom... mine went nearly a year ago. I will remember her fondly today.
Becky> NUM!
Linda> You are too kind! HOw amazing to have a 99 year old auntie. My family usually lives to great old age...but they also have kids very late so it all cancels out. Thanks so much for your lovely words, Linda. Hope you have a great mother's day!!!

Mags @ the Other Side of 50 said...

I'd choose this delicious looking drink over roses any day.

(HUGS)to you on this first Mother's Day without your mom.

Barbara said...

Is it world cocktail week? How lovely. And how appropriate for you to have introduced us to yet another divine cocktail!

I'm sure this Mother's Day was difficult for you, although I still miss my mother every day...it doesn't change.

What a lovely tribute to all mothers, Deana. It was such a pleasure to read your post, but it always is.

(My daughter skyped from NYC yesterday and was freezing! They have to work Sunday and Monday this week because of the art walk. She had 450 people at her opening! A big success. Now if she can start selling!)

Cathy said...

A lovely post, Deana. I enjoyed reading the history of Mother's Day and think your champagne cocktail and truffles are the perfect way to celebrate.

LaDivaCucina said...

Hello, darling, I'm so sorry about your mother. I lost mine in 1972 and sometimes Mother's Day can be hard.

I LOVE YOUR COCKTAIL! and I have some rose syrup but not liqueur, wonder if I could use a bit of that without it being sickly sweet? Great idea!

Deana Sidney said...

Mags> Thanks so much... I like roses any way I can get them.. but they are so delicious!
Barbara> I will get to your daughter's gallery one of these days! It was a sad mother's day. I did think she would have enjoyed my doing a blog which I started after she passed away.
Cathy>It was cool to find out the history... I never knew... now my Brit bloggers have jogged me to find out the story of their mother's day... maybe next year!
La DIvina> wow.. so many years... it doesn't go away... that sense of loss with a mother... does it? Rose syrup would be swell I think.. but the basil adds another note... give it a whirl since you are a professional!

Joanne said...

I loved reading this history of mother's day...what a beautiful post. Between the cocktail and the truffles...I don't know what I want to eat first! I love the abundance of raspberries...one of my favorite fruits!

Pam said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Randy said...

I enjoyed your blog on Mother's Day. Interesting to find out how the holiday evolved. Your champagne cocktail looks delicious...

Fresh Local and Best said...

I'm trying to think whether I have had raspberry and rose...it sounds like such a great combination! Your pictures are gorgeous!

Gemma said...

A wonderful Rose Truffles...
Chipotle chili powder seems to me a very original flavour ;)

2 Stews said...

I missed Mother's Day at home, but could imagine spending the day with these delightful treats. I think I'll make them for a special summer dessert.

Beautiful!

Diane

Carolyn Jung said...

Wow, this would be lovely for Valentine's Day or a "girls' night out'' party, too. So festive and pretty.