The last time the words “Quiet on the set!” were part of my vocabulary, I was in the third grade.
Picture this, two 8 year old girls working doggedly to calm down twenty or so other 8 year old’s long enough to teach them their lines and places. As my bestie Michelle, and I, focused on writing and producing our first play together, my dream of becoming a playwright became more and more real with every clip of my board.
Welp, we’re 43 years down the road, and if you’ve read my About Me page then you know playwright never made its way to my resume. As it turns out, my family moved to a new town in the middle of third grade and Michelle and I never got to see our dream through to the end. And my new friends preferred listening to Elvis at playtime over writing the next great Off Off Off Off Broadway hit.
But today, today, I get to share with you the most fun I’ve had hearing the words “Quiet on the set!” in all these years. Over the weekend, my daughter Luc and I created my first video for Ciao Chow Bambina.
If anyone was to be my “Michelle” on this project, it was Luc. When I knew she was coming home for the weekend I ask if she might like to play around with creating a video for the blog. She responded with as much excitement and enthusiasm as I hoped she would…as much enthusiasm as I had for the project but she possessed one thing more – knowledge and experience for creating videos (I guess that’s two things…). This girl knows the deal when it comes to video production. CCB was in good hands.
And how idyllic that we could celebrate the completion of my first video with the very cocktail that put us here.
When I first imagined this drink my intent was to use vodka…my go-to, however, Miss Luc recommended I try gin – and you know what? She was right on. This drink includes her favorite gin, roasted grapefruit, simple syrup, Fresca and Campari.
If you’ve never prepared simple syrup it’s very easy. Simply combine 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar and bring to a boil. Stir until all sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool. Done.
We’re combining delicious winter citrus, the fizz of grapefruit soda, the sweetness of simple syrup with gin and a splash of Italian bitters.
And once I saw it, I knew exactly what it should be named…Winter Sunset. I mean – look at those colors.
Salute!
- 1 grapefruit
- Brown sugar and cracked black pepper for sprinkling on sliced grapefruit
- Brown sugar for lining the rim of your glass
- Ice
- 4 shots Gin
- 2 shots simple syrup
- 4 shots Fresca (grapefruit soda)
- 2 splashes of Campari
- Place broiler on High.
- Slice a grapefruit down the middle then slice each half into ¼" half-moons.
- Sprinkle grapefruit with brown sugar and a good grind of black pepper.
- Broil grapefruit for 5 minutes.
- In the meantime, wet the rim of your cocktail glasses with a cut grapefruit.
- Dip each rim in brown sugar.
- Fill glasses halfway with ice.
- Combine 2 shots Gin, 1 shot simple syrup, 2 shots Fresca and a splash of Campari in each of the two glasses. Stir.
- Top with a slice of grapefruit.
- Enjoy!
“Quiet on the set!”
Ciao!
Yay, way to go on your first video! You did an awesome job and so fun to make it with your daughter 🙂 These cocktails are gorgeous too! Love the pretty color
Hahhaa! Yes! Thanks, my dear! Have a happy weekend! 🙂
Lovely video, and that blue bowl is absolutely gorgeous next to all that citrus!
Thanks, Kari!! I appreciate your sweetness!
A video! You did it! YAY!!! I love it, Annie. Such a great job and a great drink!
And don’t let go of those playwright dreams. You’ve got it in you! 🙂
You inspired me with all your gorgeous videos!!! You know that! Awhhh! Aren’t you the sweetest – your students are very lucky to have you! <3
This is so colorful and vibrant. Loved it. Will try the mocktail version! 🙂
Thank you so much, dear! Mmm-hmmm – that sounds good! Enjoy! 🙂
Love the video (and these photos!), Annie! Such a great job, and so sweet you got to make it with your daughter! You’re encouraging me to test the waters and maybeeee try to experiment with making a video. I love the name of this cocktail – so perfect. I’ve never been a huge gin drinker, but the grapefruit and Campari are making me reconsider because this cocktail looks absolutely fabulous!
Go for it, friend! Test those waters – what can it hurt? It’s quite an experience – putting it together! I must admit – I’m very lucky that I had a secret weapon – but seeing it all come together is definitely worth the time! Thank you so much, my dear! 🙂
Aww…. I can just picture la piccola bambina mastering the stage before becoming Ciao Chow Bambina and rocking the blogosphere! I LOVE your video! So professional and polished! And that drink… oh my, is it Friday yet?! Or heck, is it 5?
Aww! Thank you, lovely! La piccola bambina will appreciate that! So happy you enjoyed the video – I appreciate your kind words! 🙂
Congratulations on your first video! It looks great, and I bet this cocktail rocks. You were absolutely correct to go with the gin over the vodka – consider the cocktail classic, the Negroni – proof enough thah gin and Campari are a marraige made in heaven. Cheers!
See that! Because I never drink gin, I wouldn’t know that – but now I do!! 🙂 Will be checking out the Negroni, next! Thanks for your kind words and comment on YouTube, my friend! So sweet! Have a lovely day!
Yay for the video!! Love the color of this cocktail – so refreshing!!
Why thank you, Ami!! I know – I want to look at it as much as I want to drink it! 🙂
Congrats with the video! This is one pretty cocktail. And it sounds so refreshing!
Thanks, Amanda!! The Fresca gives it a nice refreshing flavor! 🙂
Absolutely beautiful cocktail and love the video. Pretty talented – you two.
Why thank you! A drink that looks as tasty as it is! 🙂
Love citrusy cocktails and this one looks gorgeous! Love the video! Pinned!
Citrus is just so pretty – isn’t it? Thanks, my dear! 🙂
What a lovely video! That citrus is just so darn pretty- and what a fitting name for your cocktail 🙂 Love that you got to work on this with someone special, it must have made making your first video twice as great!
It really was an awesome project to collaborate on with my daughter! We had lots of fun and lots of laughs! Thanks for your kind words, Medha! 🙂
Ok, where do I start… First, awesome video and I loved the music choice! Next, I am all about grapefruit anything. I can’t believe I have never had them roasted, I can just imagine how awesome that is. This drink looks wonderful and refreshing, a nice pick me up in the midst of winter. Take care!
Awhh! Thanks so much, my friend! The drink is a nice little pick-me-up…sweet-tart! Have a great day! 🙂
You go, girl! Or should I say girls with your video and cocktail making skills! Those colors certainly do look like a gorgeous winter sunset! How fun that you and Luc got to do this together!
Thanks, pal! It was a fun time!! 🙂
Congrats on your first video, Annie! I love it! And I also love the pretty look of this drink. Such a fantastic idea to broil grapefruit! I made a dessert like that once, but this drink totally blows that away. Sounds so refreshing!
Ooooh – now you know I want to hear all about that dessert! Thanks for your kind words, my friend! 🙂
Loved the video, the music and your amazing cocktail!
I appreciate that Marie! Thanks for stopping by with a kind word, my friend! 🙂
Look at you and your video skills! Congrats – it looks awesome – and so does this drink! How great is it that your daughter is so excited to help you! This is a really fun cocktail – I’m not very adventurous with cocktails but will definitely be trying this soon. Love that the grapefruit has a touch of brown sugar to balance out the tartness. Thanks, Annie!
Hahha! I can tell you this – it would not have happened without her! We had so much fun! Thanks, friend! Cin Cin!
Love this Annie!! This drink is my kind of drink and I’ll be making it this weekend 🙂 So sweet of your daughter to help you with your video. I got a GoPro for Xmas and have been wanting to do food blog videos but no idea how to even start. Can you daughter come help me? I’ll cook for her. lol! 😉
Look at you with your GoPro! I think that is very cool! My son can come over and help with the GoPro and my daughter can help with the videography…and my other daughter will come along for support…and I’ll come along because it’ll be a party and we’ll all eat your amazing food once the video is complete! What do you think?! Thanks, friend! XO
These cocktails are stunning!!! Such a beautiful colour. I love the video too Annie – such great music!! It was amazing! 😀
Thank you so much! I know – I can’t get over how pretty it is, either…if I do say so myself! 😉
This cocktail is gorgeous, and that video…! Awesome job. It looks so professional.
Well thank you very much, Nicole! My daughter will be thrilled to hear that! 🙂
Oh my Annie!! How exciting! I’m thrilled to be sharing this moment with you and your first video! I loved watching and learned something new! Thank you and Luc! Hooray! I continued this story in my mind.. that you and Michelle got together for your next video and you heard once again, Quiet On The Set! Love, love LOVE this recipe my dear.. and though I’ve never tried Campari, I need to grab some. The name is on point my dear! Congratulations!
Ohhh – you know I love the ending you just imagined…wouldn’t that be special! Thank you so much for stopping by with a sweet word, my friend! 🙂
Wow! What an awesome looking cocktail and a fun video. Enjoyed watching it.
Thank you, Anu! That means a lot coming from a lady who’s been doing videos forever! 🙂
That was awesome Ann! I really enjoyed watching it. The drink looks delicious…the grilled grapefruit really tops it off!
Pretty exotic for me…and if anyone knows, it’s you! Thanks for your kind words, my friend! xo
This was one of my favorite things that we’ve done together!!! So excited for you mama! <3
I loved it, too! Thanks, Sweeta! Love you!
Okay, you totally killed it on your first video, Annie! Bravo, my dear!! So sweet that you and Luc got to create that together! I need to find a video making buddy, because otherwise the the fear of making one is going to keep me from trying. This cocktail is beautiful and such a fabulous video premier! Love the flavors and LOVE that you used gin! Pinned! Cheers, doll! Xo
Awhhhh! Thank ya, dear! Of course – the best part of making this post was creating the video with my girl! Too bad we didn’t live closer – she’d love to help! This is a pret-ty yummy drink! Cheers! xo