A Toast

Ten years ago, I married the love of my life.

Saying yes was the best decision I have ever made.  In this past decade, I have laughed more than I have cried and smiled more than I have frowned.
Also, my husband makes a mean Radler.
We were blessed to share our special day with family and friends, and I feel it's only fitting to share today with some of my best blogging friends and you, my readers, as well as my sweet husband.

In looking for an appropriate anniversary cocktail with which to toast such a special occasion, I wanted something that was, in some way, similar to how I might describe my marriage.

The sgroppino is just that cocktail.  It is sweet with a bit of a bite, effervescent, refreshing, and, because it's basically an adult slushie, bunches of fun.

I first learned of the drink from Pamela over at My Man's Belly; she created a lovely cranberry version that I absolutely drooled over.  However, I opted to go for the traditional lemon version for today's post, as lemons can be found all over Arizona, where my husband and I met, married, and live, so it's only fitting.
Additionally, the lemon sgroppino is the perfect venue to use a bit of the limoncello that we made last year (you can read about the process here, here, and here) instead of the vodka.

Sgroppino

• 1 pint lemon sorbet (recipe below)
• Prosecco
• Sprigs of fresh mint (optional but totally worth it)

Spoon sorbet into chilled (or not) champagne flutes, 2/3 - 3/4 of the way.  Fill the glass with the Prosecco.  Top with a sprig of mint and serve immediately.

Lemon Sorbet
(adapted from Cooking Light)

• 2 cups warm water
• 1 1/3 - 1 1/2 cups lemon sugar (depending on how sweet you want the sorbet) OR the same amount of sugar and 2 Tbsp freshly grated lemon zest
• 1/2 cup limoncello
• 1 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice* (about 5-6 large-ish lemons)
• 1/3 cup fresh mint, torn

In a medium saucepan combine the water, sugar (or sugar and zest), and limoncello over medium to medium-high heat.  Bring to a soft boil and stir just until the sugar is completely dissolved.  Remove from heat and add the lemon juice and mint.  Cover and chill overnight.  Strain to remove solids, and pour the lemon mixture into your ice cream maker; freeze according to directions.  Spoon into a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least two hours.
Since the sorbet is made with limoncello, the mixture will remain soft, which is actually perfect for the spgroppino.

*I know it's been said before, but do not - DO NOT - cheat yourself by getting store-bought juice.  It isn't the same.  The fresher the juice, the better the taste.  Trust me.  Ream all the things.

So, as promised, a toast to my beloved.

Marriage means commitment.
But then again, so does insanity.
Sometimes, we're not sure which one we picked, but I've never regretted a second.
I wish nothing for us but all the love, all the joy, and all the laughter in all the years.

I hope that you are enjoying all of the Cocktail Week posts.  In case you've missed any...

• the Raging Aztec (and a KITCHENAID BLENDER GIVEAWAY) at Wanna Be a Country Cleaver
• a Raspberry-Thyme Tom Collins at Bakeaholic Mama
• some Peach Pie Prosecco Palmers from yours truly
• just a few Traverse City Cherry Mojitos over at Comfortably Domestic
• an Amaretto Sour poured by Tenaciously Yours,
• a Paloma from Climbing Grier Mountain
• Watermelon Mojo from The Hill Country Cook
• the Peach Bellini over at La Petite Pancake
• a Michigan Blueberry Smash from Munching in the Mitten (who, FYI, is a former student of mine, so that's only a little awkward for me that she's joining in this particular round of fun... something she totally enjoys)
• some lovely Cherry Amaretto Granitas from Inside NanaBread's Head

Make sure, too, that you check out the finale tomorrow - Wanna Be a Country Cleaver has a lavender lemonade - one of my favorites ever - I get a virgin one almost every weekend in summer, Inside Nana Bread's Head is pouring some raspberry mojitos (a girl can NEVER have too many mojitos), and Bakeaholic Mama is making us a funfetti martini.  Funfetti.  I'll take seven.

What is the best/worst marriage advice you ever received?

What was your favorite wedding gift?

Newlyweds and soon-to-be-weds - what's been the most interesting part of the wedding ride thus far?