Summer is here, which means it is time for strawberries, rosé, and my birthday! For my birthday party this year I wanted to create foods that were grown-up takes on childhood favorites.  And what’s more reminiscent of childhood than ice cream floats?

For my grown-up take I started with a fruity rosé filled with notes of sweet honeysuckle, fresh strawberry and hints of lemon zest. Then I amped up all these flavors with added strawberry and lemon juice and created some wine-like complexity with star anise and vanilla bean. Top it all with champagne and it’s all the grown-up and the kid in me craves on a hot summer day!!!

Frosé

4 1/2 cups strawberries, coarsely chopped Continue reading →