Did you know July 6th is National Kissing Day? It’s also National Fried Chicken Day but let’s not get sidetracked! I am shocked! How could I not know this? With all the useless knowledge I’ve got just rattling around in this old noggin, how could I not know there was an entire day dedicated to kissing!?
Well, on the subject of kissing the big question is: Is kissing natural or cultural? Per a study at Yale University, “At its most basic, kissing is a mating behavior, encoded in our genes.” About 90% of the world’s cultures pucker up along with a few other mammal species including the chimpanzee. However, most studies I found completely ignore non-romantic kissing such as in a fancy-schmancy European greeting. And let me tell you, my kids probably racked up a million kisses over the years on those chunky cheeks and fat baby feet! My dear sweet Granny would say, “There must be 50 pounds of sugar on each cheek”. But scientists don’t exactly know where kissing came from with the earliest record of a kiss dating back 5,000 years! And while researching this subject was fascinating, the exclusion of the non-romantic kiss in the studies was disappointing for me. But don’t be afraid to research this subject for yourself!
So hydrate those luscious lips and let me plant one on ya with this week’s recipe, The French Kiss….. Oh, I do love good wordplay!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup raspberries
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 oz Chambord or Brandy
- 1 bottle Champagne, Prosecco, or Moscato wine
- Simple Syrup
- 2 whole lemons to make a lemon twist
- Place 3-5 berries in the bottom of your champagne glass
- Using the bottom of a wooden spoon (or muddler), gently muddle raspberries just until they release some of their juices but are still intact.
- Add vodka, lemon juice, optional Chambord or Brandy, and simple syrup to taste and stir together.
- Fill up the glass with champagne and serve with a lemon twist.
Some variations include mint and some use raspberry syrup so I encourage you to play around and make the drink however you like. So today, share a smooch with your favorite person and try not to take life too seriously. Enjoy!