Looking to impress your guests with an elegant, tasty cocktail, homemade spritz ? The Menades collection of glasses, made in France, is your perfect ally! These elegant, timeless stemmed glasses don’t just serve your drinks; they add a touch of sophistication to every moment you spend relaxing and socializing with friends. Let’s find out why these glasses are ideal for preparing a homemade Spritz.

Features of Menades glasses

Why choose Menades glasses for your cocktails?

• Elegance and timelessness

  The Menades collection isn’t just beautiful, it’s designed to enhance your drinking experience. Let’s take a closer look at what makes these glasses so special.
• 
  Quality materials
  Made from high-quality crystalline materials, Ménades glasses ensure exceptional durability. You won’t have to worry about splinters or scratches, even after many uses.
• 
  Ergonomic design
  Their ergonomic shape is designed to provide a comfortable, stable grip, which is essential for enjoying your Spritz without worry.

The Spritz: a timeless cocktail

The history of the Spritz

The Spritz was born in Italy, and quickly became a symbol of conviviality and refinement. This cocktail, with its light bubbles and refreshing taste, is perfect for any occasion.

Essential ingredients for a perfect Spritz

To make a traditional Spritz, you need three main ingredients: Prosecco, Aperol (or another bitter aperitif), and sparkling water. Don’t forget ice cubes and a slice of orange for garnish.

Preparing a homemade Spritz with Menades glasses

Step 1: Select ingredients

Start by selecting the best ingredients. A good quality Prosecco and Aperol will make all the difference.

Step 2: Preparing the cocktail

• 
  Measure the proportions
  The key to a good Spritz is balance. Use three parts Prosecco, two parts Aperol and one part sparkling water.
• 
  Mixing the ingredients
  First pour the Aperol into the Ménades glass, then add the Prosecco. Top up with the sparkling water. Stir gently to avoid losing the bubbles.
• 
  Add the finishing touch
  Add plenty of ice cubes and a slice of orange for a touch of color and flavor.

Tips for a successful Spritz

For an even more refreshing Spritz, make sure all ingredients are well chilled before mixing. Use large ice cubes to prevent them from melting too quickly and diluting your cocktail.

Presentation and tasting on a luminous table

Matching Ménades glasses with Cottage plates

For a visual experience as pleasurable as the tasting itself, pair your Menades glasses with Cottage plates. The pastel pink and gray tones create a soft, elegant harmony, perfect for an evening under the southern sun.

Creating a southern ambience

The importance of pastel colors

Pastel colors bring a touch of serenity and elegance to your table. They recall summer evenings in the South of France, where every moment is meant to be savored.

Play with light

Use soft lighting to highlight the reflections in the Ménades glasses and the nuances of the Cottage plates. This creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Conclusion

Preparing a homemade Spritz with the Menades collection is more than just a culinary experience, it’s a true invitation to relaxation and pleasure. Every detail, from the choice of glasses to the presentation on a luminous table, contributes to creating a memorable moment. So get out your finest glasses, follow our advice, and enjoy every sip of your Spritz!

FAQ

1. What types of drinks can I serve in Menades glasses?
Menade glasses are versatile and suitable for a variety of drinks, including cocktails, wine and even non-alcoholic beverages, such as iced tea.

2. How do I keep Menades glasses in perfect condition?
Menades glasses are resistant and dishwasher-safe, making them easy to care for and preserving their shine. However, be careful not to add salt to the dishwasher if you have a water softener.

3. Where can I buy the Menades collection?
You can find the Menade collection on our official website La table d’Arc.

4. What is the capacity of Menades glasses?
Menades glasses are ideal for cocktails, generally around 350 ml. For gourmets, they are available in 440 and 550 ml.

5. Can I use Menades glasses in the dishwasher?
There’s no problem using the dishwasher, as long as you use the correct amount of salt, or don’t add any if you have a water softener.

It’s back to school time, but let’s remember the flavors of summer… The Fresh Fig and Lavender Spritz will be perfect to celebrate the weekend or to have a good time.

 This very quick cocktail will be your best ally during an evening with friends or simply to end a day on a floral note.

 Come on, we take figs and sprigs of lavender, we prepare his shaker and we realize his cocktail to spend a good moment.

Ingredients for 1 person: 

• Fresh lavender sprig
• 2 fresh black figs
• Half a lemon with its juice
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• Ice (half cubed and half crushed)
• Sparkling water

Preparation step:

1. Break a few lavender leaves from your sprig and rub them between your hands to release their aroma. Then put them in your shaker.
2. Add the juice of half a lemon and your teaspoon of honey.
3. Cut a fig in half, remove the fruit and put it in the shaker.
4. Add ice cubes to the shaker, close the shaker and shake it until the drink is cold.
5. Strain the liquid and pour the container into a stemmed glass (or the glass of your choice)
6. Next, fill the glass with crushed ice and fill it to the top with sparkling water.
7. Finally, garnish with the rest of your lavender sprig and half of the last fig.

A few tips for the perfect cocktail:

For an alcoholic version of the cocktail, you can add a splash of vodka or gin.

To garnish the glass, feel free to make a cut on the fig to insert it on the rim of the glass, it will stay on the surface of the glass and will not move

If you want to make it in large quantities. To preserve it, we advise you to put it in a carafe to keep a good conservation of the cocktail.

What could be better than a cup of coffee after a meal? However, this pleasure requires knowing how to make the right preparation depending on your machine. If you’re wondering how to make a perfect cup of coffee with your machine, here are the rules and tips you need to follow to avoid making mistakes.

Making a perfect coffee with a filter coffee maker

Popular with many people, coffee is a richly flavoured beverage that can be prepared in a variety of ways to suit your tastes. Whether you like your coffee long, short, sweet or strong, you’ll need to use different methods to get the right amount. The preparation also depends on whether you are a fan of filter coffee from a machine or whether you use a piston, pod or capsule machine.

First, we’ll look at how to do this if you have a filter coffee maker in your home. These tips will help you enjoy a delicious cup of coffee every day, whenever you want it. First of all, remember to rinse the filter paper well with hot water so that it no longer contains any aftertaste. When it comes to dosage, it is important to be precise: for 100 ml of water, you need 10 grams of ground coffee, the equivalent of a heaped tablespoon. It is best to use filtered water or spring water instead of tap water.

It is important that your coffee does not lose its aroma and flavour during preparation. To do this, be careful not to burn it by leaving it on the hot plate of an electric coffee maker. It is recommended that you never reheat coffee. Try to drink it soon after making it or store it in a thermos.

Making a perfect coffee with a plunger coffee maker

People who prefer the gentle method of extraction (known as “Slow Coffee”), with a very aromatic Arabica coffee, are used to using a piston coffee maker. With this appliance, there are certain steps to follow to obtain a coffee of excellent quality and give yourself a gourmet break during the day.

Also known as the French Press, the plunger coffee maker is the perfect accessory for making great coffee every day. With this machine, the best grind is the coarsely ground coffee. A fine grind could clog the filter. It is best to select coffee beans and then grind them yourself with a grinder to the desired size. You can then use one teaspoon for a 12 cl cup.

Water heated to 90°C in a kettle can be poured over the coffee, remembering to leave a space between the water level and the top of your coffee maker. You can then place the lid on (without pushing in the plunger) and brew for 4 minutes. All you have to do is gently press the plunger to squeeze the coffee and collect the precious liquid in your cup.

Using properly your pod machine 

You can make coffee with an Italian coffee maker, a percolator or an espresso machine. If you have a pod or capsule machine, the process may seem easier, but it requires some application to get the best result.

A pod (or capsule) is the equivalent of a single coffee, so you won’t be able to reuse it later. The only real difficulty with a machine of this type is to set the amount of water you are going to use. To make a ristretto or espresso, you will need between 25 and 40 ml of water. In the case of a French coffee, which is less strong, the coffee should be diluted in a larger quantity of water, around 60 ml.

A practical tip for better tasting coffee is to run your machine empty once a day. This will allow you to run the water without putting a capsule or pod in to purge the machine, prime the pump and wash the extraction chamber. This way, the next coffee you make will have all its flavours preserved.

Accessories to enjoy your coffee

In order to make every coffee a moment of relaxation, it is recommended that you buy beautiful and durable mugs. Aesthetic and solid models will enhance your home-made coffee. A glass or opal mug is a classic choice for good aroma preservation. With a set of mugs at your disposal, you can organise tastings of different coffees with family and friends.

Depending on your wishes, you can find the mug, cup or bowl with the ideal capacity to enjoy a short, long or espresso coffee. For gourmet recipes, you can choose transparent cups that allow you to see the foam, the caramel or the latte. An insulated mug is also an excellent solution for keeping your coffee at the right temperature.

For a tasty coffee, a fresh roast is the best choice. You can get it from a roastery where freshly roasted coffee is available for sale. Another option is to choose a package with a recent roast date from a supermarket. Coffee enthusiasts can invest in a manual or electric grinder to grind their coffee.

If you buy your ground coffee in a shop, choose a brand name product. To ensure that the ingredients do not deteriorate over time, the best way to store your coffee is in an airtight bag or box, ideally in your refrigerator. A roasted coffee can be stored for up to a week.

A pool party wouldn’t be a pool party without colourful, fresh and friendly cocktails. That’s why we at Luminarc have decided to present you with 7 must-have cocktail recipes for a pool party.

What type of cocktail for a pool party ?

For your pool party, you need to choose the right types of cocktails. As you will not have much time during the party, it is best to opt for simple cocktails.

Vary the types of cocktails so that guests have a choice. Of course, you should also have some non-alcoholic cocktails. There are some very successful ones.

Finally, to keep the pool party going throughout the day (or night), choose light, low-alcohol cocktails.

What type of glass to choose for what type of cocktail ?

At Luminarc, we offer quality glassware for all your parties. Are you a cosmopolitan fan ? We have the perfect cocktail glasses for you. More of a mojito fan ? Take a look at our tumblers (or long drinks). Spritz ? Our glasses will accommodate all your Aperol preparations. All our cocktail glasses are made in France to the highest standards. As a bonus, we even offer a very stylish shaker to make all your alcoholic preparations yourself.

The 7 essential cocktails for a pool party

Need inspiration for your cocktail recipes? Here are our 7 cocktail ideas for a pool party and for all types of parties.

1. The Mojito : the timeless classic

The Mojito is a traditional Cuban cocktail made with rum, soda, lime, and fresh mint leaves. A variation of the ti-punch from the West Indies, the daiquiri, and the Cuba libre, it has been around since the early 1900s. With a beautiful green colour, it is served in a tumbler glass like the one we offer at Luminarc.

The traditional recipe for the mojito is as follows:

• Indian mint leaves.
• 5 cl of Cuban rum or white or amber rum.
• 1/2 lime in pieces.
• 2 teaspoons of brown cane sugar.
• Sparkling water, champagne or lemonade as a base.
• Crushed ice.

2. The Spritz : a taste of holiday

A cocktail from Italy, and more specifically from the Venice region, the Spritz has become increasingly popular in recent years. Made with sparkling white wine (Prosecco if possible), Aperol (or Campari) and sparkling water, its beautiful orange colour, freshness and bitterness are the reasons for its success.

The Aperol Spritz cocktail consists of :

• 50 ml of Aperol or Campari.
• 75 ml Prosecco (dry).
• 50 ml sparkling water.
• 3 ice cubes.
• 1 slice of orange for decoration.

The Spritz cocktail comes in a wide bowl with a long stem.

3. The Blue Hawaiian : the blue cocktail like the ocean

The Blue Hawaiian is a cocktail made with rum, pineapple juice and curaçao. It is this last ingredient that gives it its beautiful oceanic colour.

In terms of ingredients, the Blue Hawaiian contains :

• 4 cl of white rum.
• 12 cl of pineapple juice.
• 1 cl blue curaçao.
• 4 cl of coconut cream.

4. Pina Colada : for rum lovers

The Pina Colada is one of the most famous cocktails in the world. Originating from the island of Puerto Rico in the Greater Antilles, this rum, coconut and pineapple-based drink has a creamy, fruity appearance. It is both sweet and refreshing.

Pina Colada is made in a shaker. The recipe is as follows:

• 25 cl of white rum.
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract.
• 1 cinnamon stick.
• 1 grated nutmeg.
• 400 ml of coconut milk.
• 1 litre of pineapple juice.
• 1/2 litre of banana juice.

5. The Margarita :  the quintessential Mexican cocktail

The Margarita is a tequila-based cocktail created by Americans from Mexico in the 1940s and 1950s in Acapulco. A version of the daisy cocktail where the brandy is replaced by tequila, it is a drink that can take on different shades depending on the fruit used to prepare it (red with strawberry, yellow with mango, etc.). Aesthetic and convivial, the Margarita is served in a cocktail glass of the same name.

Here is the recipe for the Margarita :

• 5 cl of tequila.
• 3 cl of triple sec.
• 2 cl lemon juice.
• A cup of salt.

6. Soda coffee : to regain energy

To give your guests a boost of energy during the pool party, the Soda Café is the ideal cocktail. It offers freshness with the soda and a little kick with the coffee.

To prepare a Coffee Soda for 8 people, you need the following ingredients

• 25 cl boiling water.
• 250 g coffee grounds.
• 1 tablespoon of coffee extract.
• 200 g sugar.
• 10 g citric acid.
• sparkling water.

7. The Coconut kiss : a very good non-alcoholic cocktail

For your guests who don’t drink alcohol, we recommend the Coconut Kiss to be made in a shaker. To prepare it, you will need :

• 3 cl of pineapple juice.
• 4 cl of orange juice.
• 2 cl of coconut syrup.
• 3 cl of liquid cream.