Sparkling and Spiced Citrus Sangria

Tangerines and kumquats are highlighted in this wintry sangria, balanced by tart cranberries and the earthy, sharp flavors of ginger and black pepper. Pavan, a French liqueur made with muscat grapes and orange blossoms, adds a gently floral sweetness.

serves 6

INGREDIENTS

• For the cranberry-black pepper syrup:
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup fresh whole cranberries
• ½ cup whole black peppercorns
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• For the Base:
• 1/4 cup sliced kumquats (about 6 kumquats)
• 1 satsuma tangerine, sliced with skin on
• 1 ounce Shrub and Co. Ginger Shrub
• 2 ounces cranberry-black pepper syrup
• 4 ounces Pavan liqueur
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• For the Sangria:
• 1 (750 miliiter) bottle brut cava, such as German Gilabert, chilled
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• DIRECTIONS
• For the Syrup: combine water, sugar, cranberries, and peppercorns in a medium-sized sauce pan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Turn off heat, cover and let stand for 30 minutes. Cool and fine-strain mixture through cheesecloth or a coffee filter into an air-tight container. Syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• For the Sangria Base: combine sliced kumquats and tangerines in the base of an airtight container with ginger shrub, cranberry syrup, and Pavan. Stir to combine. Refrigerate for at least 2 days and up to 4 days.
• To serve, pour entire sangria base into a large pitcher. Add cava, pouring gently down the side of the pitcher. Stir gently to combine, and pour into ice-filled serving glasses
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10 Ways to keep the romance alive

All that's missing is the sand
Turn your bedroom into a romantic island getaway. You don't need to go out of the house to get in the mood. Bring Back Desire offers these home romance experience tips.

Nakedness
Cook your partner his favorite meal in nothing but an apron, heels and a smile.

Lights, camera, action
Create a "naughty video" of yourself an present to him.

Play a game of Hot/Cold
Write down five sexy things you'd like to do to your man or that you know he would love for you to do on five separate pieces of paper. Hide the pieces around the house. Your man will have a ton of fun playing this adult version of Hot/Cold.]
8
Strike a pose
Take a pole dancing class and show your man everything you've learned.
9
Play Truth or Dare
Remember this game when you were younger? I'd always get butterflies in my stomach before choosing dare and hoped that I'd be dared to do something ridiculously cheesy with my crush. Bring back that nostalgic feeling with your partner. As for truth questions, keep them sexual like, "Would you ever [insert sexual act here]?" You can use said sexual act in your next dare if they answer yes!
11
Couples yoga
Get in the mood by becoming closer through a more soulful relationship. Forget the game of Twister! Use these yoga moves for couples for some great laughs and revitalization. 
12
Kind notes
They're kind of like the Advent calendar, but without the weight gain! Kind Notes are jars of themes or personalized messages enclosed in mini envelopes for your partner to open every day for a month. Let's bring back the old fashioned love letters with these little guys!
13
Get married!
Yea, you heard me. If you've always known you're going to have a small (or non-existent) wedding, why not plan a quick getaway to Vegas and elope?
14
Surprise!
When your man (or woman) comes home from work, greet him or her completely naked and get ready for some action.

Ways to spice up your relationship

Keeping the passion in a long-term relationship takes effort on the part of both of the people involved. Try packing a sexy note in your partner’s lunch or briefcase for a mid-afternoon surprise. Plan ahead to take a half-day off from work and meet up at a nice hotel for an intimate afternoon. Or plan a romantic weekend vacation for two where you can get away from family and work obligations. Keeping the romance alive in a marriage takes some work but it's well worth it.

5 Things To Keep Quiet With Your Guy

Despite the importance of honesty in a good relationship, there remain a few things you might want to keep to yourself. We’re not suggesting being deceitful, but in a select number of cases, what you don’t say matters more than what you do. Here are the top five things not to share.

 Mean things you’ve heard about him

Your man doesn't need to hear about any mean things your friends or family have said about him. Unless it’s relevant and important to your relationship, there’s no need to hurt him with their not-so-nice words. To do so would just rock the boat. You want your family and friends to like him, and you want him to like your family and friends, so avoid creating an unnecessary rift.

Things he can’t change

Being open and sharing opinions that can help move the relationship forward is a must, but being critical about things your partner can’t easily change (his baldness, his height) isn’t fair. Your opinion matters to him and whether you see him as attractive is most likely very important to him, so if he can’t change something about his appearance, why tell him?

Other people’s secrets

If a friend confides in you and asks you not to tell anyone, respect her wishes and keep her secret — even from your guy. Unless you need his assistance or are troubled by the information, keep it to yourself. You’re in no way obligated to share other people’s secrets with your partner, especially when they don’t have anything do with him.

Negative feelings about his family

You might not love his family, but keep your negative comments about them to yourself. Let’s face it; he wants you to like his family, and he’s most likely sensitive about those people in his life. If there is a legitimate problem with one of his family members, ask his advice about how to resolve the issue, but don’t go overboard. Don’t reveal lots of negative feelings especially if those family members can’t change what you are annoyed with.

Attraction to someone he knows

It’s OK to think other people are attractive (hello, Ryan Gosling), but you don’t need to tell your partner, especially if it’s someone he knows. Yes, these feelings are only thoughts and you (ideally) haven’t acted on them, but there is no need to stir up feelings that might promote or inspire jealousy.

Date ideas for happily married couples

Just because you know each other inside-out doesn’t mean that you don’t have to date anymore. Take turns choosing an activity that each person enjoys and making that a part of your date night. Does your wife like to hike? Plan a hiking date. Is your husband into sports? Take him to a football game. Sharing time together is the most important part but doing something one or both of you enjoys makes time together even better. Other date ideas for married couples could include getting a massage together, playing a round of miniature golf or taking a stroll through the local park and enjoying a picnic lunch or dinner.