Archive for the ‘Entertaining’ Category

• Apple Orange Punch

  Date: 2010.08.11 | Category: Beverages, Entertaining | Response: 0

  I am busy unpacking (yes, still) and am discovering some treasures I had forgotten I owned, namely my punch bowl collection.  To many of you, punch bowls are an entertaining tool of the past but I love them.  I have three–two vintage and one modern–as well as a box of mix and match cups that I picked up in Philadelphia at a church rummage sale for a dollar.  I suppose three doesn’t very well a collection make but I am just beginning!  When I am entertaining, they make a lovely centerpiece of the drink area particularly if you fill it with a colorful punch.  This recipe I share today is a lovely color for a muted decor.  The bright orange is slightly toned down with the addition of the apple juice and lemonade.  The flavor is divine.

  Ingredients:

  1-6 oz. can frozen concentrate orange juice
  1-6 oz. can frozen concentrate lemonade
  36 oz. apple juice
  72 oz. ginger ale

  Mix concentrates and apple juice in large punch bowl.  Just before serving, stir in ginger ale.  Make sure everything is very cold before assembly.

  Aunt Barb always freezes some of the punch in a jell-o mold so she doesn’t dilute the punch but is able to keep it chilled throughout the evening.  Enjoy!

  xo–me

• Slush Puppy

  Date: 2010.06.12 | Category: Entertaining | Response: 0

  It’s a warm day outside and I got to missing my favorite pineapple lemonade from Speedy’s in Manhattan.  It’s one of my all time favorite refreshing drinks  (right after my Nany’s Orange/Lemonade).  The slush puppy is another refreshing drink that is easy to make and looks festive in your hand.  It’s also a great drink to offer your designated drivers at your summer parties.

  Ingredients:

  juice of 1 lemon or 1/2 pink grapefruit
  1/2 shot of grenadine
  ice
  lemon peel
  2-3 tsp. raspberry syrup
  club soda
  maraschino cherries to decorate

  Pour the lemon juice and grenadine into a chilled tall glass with ice.  Add the lemon peel, raspberry syrup, and club soda to taste.  Dress with the cherries.

  I have girlfriends who have used this recipe at kids parties.  The children love the cherries and the bright look in a clear plastic glass.  Enjoy!

  xo–me

• Caribbean Champagne

  Date: 2010.06.11 | Category: Entertaining | Response: 0

  Am away on a very mini-vacation in Los Angeles and realized I need to start it off with a champagne beverage.  I got to thinking of all the traditional ways we have champagne and realized I want something different.  This recipe is a perfect way to begin my day as it has fruit and can be a lovely contribution to the breakfast category!

  Ingredients:

  1/2 white rum
  1/2 shot creme de banane
  chilled champagne
  banana slices to make it pretty

  Pour the rum and creme de banane into a chilled stemware.  Fill with champagne.  Stir gently to mix and dress with banana slices.  Sip like the diva you are!

  I am not a lush, I promise.  But isn’t it great when you can begin your day any way you wish?  Enjoy!

  xo–me

• Sparkling Diamond

  Date: 2010.06.10 | Category: Entertaining | Response: 0

  Diamonds are a girl’s best friend so I think this is the whiskey drink I want to have this weekend when I am celebrating Lisa’s birthday!  Yes, you all know by now I am gearing up for a jaunt west to celebrate my girl friend’s birthday.  I wanted to highlight some of the best whiskey recipes I have experienced in her honor because she chooses whiskey…when she chooses to be a sparkling diamond.

  Ingredients:

  1/4 shot peppermint schnapps
  1/4 shot white creme de cacao
  1/4 shot Southern Comfort
  1/4 shot lemon juice
  crushed ice

  Shake all the liquid ingredients over ice until frosted.  Strain into a chilled shot glass and add a small spoonful of crushed ice.  Toss it back!

  Delicious treat to jump start your celebration.  Or continue or end the celebration!  Happy Birthday Lisa!

  xo–me

• French Kiss

  Date: 2010.06.09 | Category: Entertaining | Response: 1

  I am continuing my march to the birthday weekend of my dear friend Lisa by highlighting beverage recipes made with her favorite–whiskey.  Most think of whiskey with water, coke or perhaps served on the rocks but it actually can be mixed to be a sweet, sour or savory drink.  Today’s recipe is in the sweet category.  Shocking to you, I know.  My love of sweets permeates everything!  I also love this drink because it looks like a cosmo but packs a bit more of a punch.

  Ingredients:

  2 shots bourbon
  1 shot apricot liqueur
  2 tsp. grenadine
  1 tsp. lemon juice
  ice

  Shake the ingredients vigorously over ice until well frosted.  Strain into a chilled, sexy cocktail glass.  Sip as if you were a Bond Girl!

  Some say when you drink the french kiss, french kisses are close behind.  I hope you are kissed by the one you love this weekend!  Enjoy.

  xo–me

• Bruno

  Date: 2010.06.08 | Category: Entertaining | Response: 2

  A dear friend is getting read to celebrate a milestone birthday.  She is a fabulous woman who has a very enriched life.  Some of those experiences that added to her enriched life were thanks to her dear friend Jack.  And by Jack, I mean Mr. Daniels.  She likes whiskey when she drinks so I thought these next few days I would share some delightful whiskey recipes as I prepare to travel west to celebrate Lisa!

  Ingredients:

  1 shot whiskey
  1/2 shot red vermouth
  1/2 shot creme de banane
  ice
  ginger ale
  banana slices, to decorate

  Stir the first three ingredients together and pour into a tumbler full of ice.  Fill with ginger ale and dress with a few slices of banana.  Enjoy!

  It’s a delicious and refreshing beverage for grown ups.  If you want to create the flavor without the liquor, I would add the liquid of a very rip banana to the ginger ale.

  xo–me

• Bacon and Cheese Paste on Cocktail Bread

  Date: 2010.05.26 | Category: Cooking, Entertaining | Response: 0

  I am enjoying trying recipes from my Calvert Party Encyclopedia.  The recipes are mostly cocktails but they also have several hors d’oeuvres that are truly of the era.  I tried this one over the weekend and it was quick, simple and very savory.

  Ingredients:

  1/2 lb. cheddar cheese
  8 slices crispy bacon
  2 small onions
  1 tsp. dry mustard
  2 tsp. mayo or Miracle Whip
  sleeve of cocktail bread

  Turn on oven broiler.  Combine first five ingredients in a blender or food processor.  Spread on individual pieces of bread.  Toast under broiler until golden brown.  Serve immediately.

  I love this recipe because you can continue to make these treats throughout your cocktail party without much effort.  Make 3x’s this recipe and keep the mixture in the refrigerator while you are entertaining.  Slip away occasionally to spread and broil.  Enjoy!

  xo–me