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• Cool off with a French-inspired cocktail

I was first introduced to the recipe for Tropical Kir Petillant by my host family in Avignon, France last summer. My host mom, Magalie, didn’t have a name for it then, but this time of year has inspired me to both title this pleasantly sweet beverage and to share it with you. Pronounced ‘keerh pay-tee-lahnt,’ this beverage combines the essentials of a tropical fruit smoothie with the carbonation of sparkling wine (or sparkling grape juice, if you prefer) to add that extra zing that really speaks to the fun-loving part of summer. The French term ‘petillant’ simply translates to ‘sparkling’ in reference to wine or other beverages. A traditional Kir Royale includes only two ingredients: crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) and champagne. However, summertime calls for a more refreshing twist on this already delicious French cocktail. The Tropical Kir Pétillant is named after Félix Kir, who was a Catholic priest in Dijon, a city in east central France, in the mid-nineteenth century. Feel free to indulge in a drink that tastes – and sounds – opulent this summer without all of the effort and expenditures that the name suggests might go into its preparation.

This recipe makes six drinks. In addition to the ingredients below, you will need an ice cube tray and a blender or food processor. The best aspect of this summer spirit is that it’s easy to make! The fact that drinking just one of these smoothie-type beverages completes the daily serving of fruit recommended by the USDA is also a plus.

Tropical Kir Petillant

Ingredients
2 large mangoes
6 passion fruit
sparkling white wine (or Welch’s Sparkling White Grape Juice), preferable dry

Directions
Peel the mangoes, making sure to cut the flesh off of each pit. Place the flesh of the mangoes in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth. Fill an ice cube tray with half of the pureed mixture. Freeze for 2 hours. Cut one or two of the passion fruit into 6 wedges and set aside. Scoop the pulp out of the remaining passion fruit into the mango puree. Process until well blended. Pour the mixture into 6 stemmed glasses of your choice, dividing puree evenly throughout. Top up each glass with sparkling white wine (or sparkling white grape juice). Use the frozen mango puree as ice cubes. Place one of the passion fruit wedges at the rim of each glass. There is also a fairly well-known variation on this cocktail that calls for champagne instead of sparkling wine. If your tastes are a bit more expensive, then try that version as well to compare! Makes six servings.