Hey Amy! » Entertaining

Apple Orange Punch

Amy — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:30:43 +0000

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

Amy — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 11:04:01 +0000

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

Amy — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:39:18 +0000

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

Amy — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 10:56:49 +0000

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

Amy — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:47:13 +0000

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

Amy — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:20:49 +0000

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

Amy — Wed, 26 May 2010 10:16:57 +0000

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

How Much to Buy

Amy — Sun, 23 May 2010 10:14:17 +0000

My mommie (yes, I am a grown woman who still calls her mother, mommie) found a delightful guide to home entertaining printed in 1964. It was gifted to me last week for my birthday and I could hardly wait to share the contents with you. It’s called The Calvert Party Encyclopedia and includes tips, recipes, party menus and hints for a successful party. I will share many recipes from this whiskey distiller’s vintage pamphlet but today I am sharing their grid for how much one should purchase in whiskey according to how many gets are expected. I got a bit of a giggle out of it and I hope you do it.

If You’re Having	For Pre-Dinner Cocktails	For a Party
4 people	8 to 12 drinks (one fifth required)	12 to 16 drinks (two fifths required)
6 people	12 to 18 drinks (two fifths required)	18 to 24 drinks (two fifths required)
8 people	16 to 24 drinks (two fifths required)	24 to 32 drinks (two fifths required)
12 people	24 to 36 drinks (three fifths required)	36 to 48 drinks (three fifths required)
20 people	40 to 60 drinks (four fifths required)	60 to 80 drinks (five fifths required)
25 people	50 to 75 drinks (five fifths required)	75 to 100 drinks (seven fifths required)
40 people	80 to 120 drinks (eight fifths required)	120 to 160 drinks (ten fifths required)

HTML Tables

As much as it made me giggle, I can say that the adults of the 60′s were a bit more genteel in their beverage consumption than those in my life today. I will drink to that.

xo–me

Sangrita

Amy — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 07:08:00 +0000

If you are slightly (or very) hungover today from indulging in my previous recipes, I hope to help usher you through your nightmare this morning. I found this recipe in a book entitled Drinkology Eats. It is a nice alternative to Bloody Mary’s and it does ease you back into the real world on those horrible morning afters.

Ingredients:

1 quart tomato juice
1 c. freshly squeezed orange juice
4 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
3 Tbsp. green Tabasco sauce
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
3 3/4 c. tequila

Mix all ingredients in a large pitcher. Chill. Sip or simply ‘take it to the head’, as Chris would say.

Now even if you are not feeling hungover, this is a delicious addition to Sunday brunch. I serve with whatever fruit is around. Enjoy!

xo–me

Sangria Blanca

Amy — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 10:42:50 +0000

I have shared a delicious traditional sangria recipe, made with red wine. This one is made from white wine and there is something secretly refreshing about it’s color. It’s a perfect drink that travels if you need to to take it to a picnic or an outdoor music festival, if you would be doing that this weekend.

Ingredients:

1 lemon cut into 4 thick slices
1 lime, cut into 4 thick slices
1 orange. cut into 4 thick slices
1/2 c. Cointreau
1 bottle of fruity Spanish wine like Verdejo or Albarino
a lot of ice

Put fruit slices in a large pitcher and pout in Cointreau. Carefully muddle the fruit and liqueur, smashing the fruit slightly. Add the wine and ice cubes ands tire Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

I like it best if the fruit soaks overnight. Double, triple or quadruple this recipe if you are entertaining or a simple drunk. I kid, I kid.

xo–me