Celebrate Valentine's Day with Iced Tea Specialties

Love is in the air. That's right, Valentine's Day is upon us once again. It is that special day when you cozy up with your loved one and exchange tokens of your affection for one another. Or, it's a day to spend with friends, enjoying chocolate and your beverage of choice.

With one of these tasty recipes, you're sure to add some love to your favorite February holiday:

Start your night off right.

Whether you're beginning a romantic night out on the town, or a night in with the girls, this drink will set the tone for the perfect evening.

FESTIVI-TEA COSMOPOLITAN

Prep time: 5 minutes

1 bottle 100% Natural Lipton® Iced Tea with Pomegranate Blueberry
3 Tbsp. cranberry juice cocktail
3 Tbsp. orange juice
1 Tbsp. lime juice

Combine all the ingredients in an ice-filled container. Stir well and pour into chilled martini glasses.

Tip: For an adult version, replace the orange juice with 2 Tbsp. vodka and 2 Tbsp. orange liqueur.

Finish dinner with this treat.

When your meal is complete, mix up and enjoy the perfect creamy complement.

DAZZLING CREAMY DESSERT DRINK

5 servings

Prep time: 5 minutes

Stand time: 10 minutes

1 bottle 100% Natural Lipton Iced Teawith Pomegranate Blueberry
1-1/2 cups half and half
3 Tbsp. firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. finely chopped fresh ginger
2 sprigs mint, large

In a medium pitcher, crush mint with wooden spoon against side of pitcher to bruise. Add 100% Natural Lipton Iced Tea with Pomegranate Blueberry, half and half, brown sugar and ginger; stir until well blended. Let stand 10 minutes; remove mint springs.

Pour into ice filled glasses and garnish, if desired, with additional mint leaves.

Tip: For a delicious cocktail, stir in 1/2 cup vodka.

For more Valentine's Day recipes, visit Lipton Iced Tea's Facebook page.

Valentine's Day Recipes from VOGA Wines

Our friends at VOGA wines offer these special recipe treats that will make your Valentine beam with joy. To download the PDF file, just click here: VOGA Wine Recipes

Mirth and Merriment at Dolce Pane E Vino

Tucked away in a small shopping center in Rancho Santa Fe, Dolce Pane E Vino has this pixie-like atmosphere to it, to the point that I am always looking for Alice in Wonderland to sit next to me in the bar, ordering up one of those fabulous wines that are racked up throughout the wine bar and restaurant area.

The room is at once cozy, beautiful and fascinating, with the charm of old-world Italy. Dolce Pane E Vino means sweet bread and wine in Italian and was created by Dr. Anthony Smith almost two years ago, but really hit its stride when Steve Flowers came in as General Manager, with his passion for world-class wine excellence.

Details later, but I want to get into more of the “wow” architectural touches that blew me away. A quick smile and a dose of merriment comes to all who snuggle into the family style tables that are crafted for sharing, and the lighting with Italian glass that drops down from the ceiling like so many fireflies.

OK, let’s get to what most customers come in for: spectacular cuisine and that specially selected, handcrafted wine that will keep you smiling.

Executive Chef John Weimann on selected menu creations: “my salad is a seared Hamachi fresh fish with arugula, orange and ginger vinaigrette mixed. On top, a sliced avocado with mixed citrus and fennel. Also fried shallot with Uzu Juice and house-made lemon oil.” Perfect.

GM Steve Flowers on the entrée: “ it’s a Wild King Salmon served on a cedar plank, wood fired in the open oven, garnished with sea salt and charred asparagus, drizzled with lemon and saba.” He went on about the wine selected…” a white Barola Bianca from Piedmont Italy, vintage 2009. It has crispy fruit that comes through the Italian style wine minerality.”

Wood-fired entrees like this Wild King Salmon capture the food wonderland that is Dolce Pane E Vino in Rancho Sante Fe.

Two more reasons to get to know Dolce Pane E Vino. One is the imported artisan cheeses “to go” case, affectionately known as the “Formaggeria.” The 2nd is the exclusive membership Reserve 100. This wine program gives access to top-tier wines at great values from the top winemakers in the world. Every other month members will receive two bottles each of three ultra-fine wines with tasting notes, reviews and food-pairing ideas.

A typical recent trio of wines included: 2005 Col Solare Blend 94 points; 2007 O’Shaughnessy Howell Mountain Napa 95 points; and the 2007 Quintessa Rutherford Red Meritage 95 points. Make it into this wonderland of mirth and merriment by accessing www.dolcepaneevino.com or calling 858-832-1518.

Port Wine with Your Next Dessert!

Portugal’s most famous wine is Port and like Champagne in France, its origins produce a unique experience, in the Douro Valley and the seaport of Oporto. It is meticulously handcrafted as it was centuries ago, as a lusciously sweet and powerful dessert wine, with alcohol content about 20% for most ports.

Five native grapes are used for quality Port, but the one that has the most acclaim is Touriga Nacional. It has intense color, aroma and taste and is the prominent blend in the bottle. As with most other red wines, vintage counts with Portuguese Ports. A 10 year old Port will satisfy; a 20 year old Port will be ecstasy. Look for an aged Tawny Port for more of a nutty, brown sugar taste that can go to 40 years old before release. Names to know are: Cockburn, Graham’s, Dow’s and Fonseca.

One such recommended winery is Pedroncelli in the Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma, with its 2006 Four Grapes Vintage Port. The grapes, which match the best of Portugal, are estate-grown and hand-picked. It is released in 500 ml bottles and will benefit from age for the next 10 years. ( $19.) Find out more at the web site:www.pedroncelli.com.