More Signature Drinks!

(from patriciapiccinini.net)

I was reading through one of Gram’s Quick and Simple magazines she’d given me awhile back but had misplaced and never read- when I noticed a great article on “Bubblies, punches, mocktails and more….” Technically, they’re New Year’s drinks since it’s from their new year’s edition (yeah, I’m behind!), but they could work great as signature drinks!

I searched hard to find them on the website and no luck….so, I copied this from their December 25, 2007 issue……….

1. Cherry Classic
Crush up some ice and place in margarita glass. Drizzle in a few teaspoons of grenadine or the juice from a jar of maraschino cherries. Slowly pour in seltzer (look for vanilla  seltzer to create a cherry-vanilla flavor), and let the liquids combine into a pretty shade of pink. Top it off with a marachino cherry, or skewer a few on a swizzle stick.

2. Mango Bellini
Puree the flesh of 1 ripe mango in a blender until smooth (my note- mango’s can be tricky- use a veggie peeler to peel then slice the fruit until you feel resistance from the seed- those seeds are weird! You can rarely get it all off!)
For each reveler, mix 1 Tbsp. of the puree with prosecco (Italian sparkling wine) or a sparking white grape juice in a martini glass or champagne flute. Garnish the rim with fresh mango slices (we used a star-shaped cookie cutter to make it even more festive)

3. Choco-Bean Chiller
Make a pool of chocolate syrup on a small plate. Dip the top of a martini glass into the syrup for a chocolately rim. Add some crushed ice to the glass then carefully pour some store-bought eggnog and a shot of coffee liqueur (such as Kahlua) or espresso. (Not exactly the right season for this drink so keep it in mind for later!)

4. Faux-jito
In the bottom of a tall glass, use the handle of a long wooden spoon to mash several mint leaves with 1 tsp. sugar and a splash of lime juice. Add a few ice cubes, fill the glass with ginger ale and give it a stir. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

5. Candied Apple Toddy (great for fall wedding!)
In a small saucepan, heat 2 cups of apple cider with a spoonful of cinnamon candies (such as Red Hots), stirring occasionally, until the cider is hot and the candy has melted. Pour into mugs and stir a small dab of butter into each. Spike it with rum, if you like.

6. Party Punch
In a large punch bowl, mix 1/2 cup frozen limeade concentrate (thawed) with a 64-oz. (1/2 gallon) container of grapefruit juice. Add plenty of ice, a cup or two of lemon-lime seltzer and some thin citrus slices. Ladle into cups and start sipping.

7. Nada Colada
In a blender, combine 3 parts pineapple juice with 1 part cream of coconut (not coconut milk), 1/2 tsp. almond extract and lots of crushed ice. Pulse until smooth and frosty. Pour into glasses, sprinkle with flaked coconut and garnish with a pineapple wedge. Add a little paper umbrella!

8. Ginger Beer
Fill a chilled mug or a tall glass with ginger beer (look for Goya or Reed’s brands at your supermarket). Scoop in some creamy vanilla ice creamand sprinkle chopped crystallized ginger on top. Serve with a spoon and a straw!

>q&s tip- To crush ice, place cubes in a resealable plastic bag, cover with a towel and pound with a rolling pin or heavy skillet

These would also be great party or shower drinks!! I’m also loving this recipe for Mimosas from my fellow bride blogger. Anna on her fantastic blog Southern Fancy!

Refer to my last post on signature cocktails for more ideas!

Feliz Cinco de mayo!!!

In honor of today, I thought I’d share some lovely Mexican inspired wedding ideas! If I didn’t already have my theme planned, I might go with some of this stuff!!

And just for a little history lesson (I have to teach my students this every year!!), Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexico’s Independence Day (contrary to what many gringos believe!). It’s simply a celebration of the victory at the Battle of Pueblo. Somehow, it gets more attention in the US and is often celebrated by us crazy gringos here more than in Mexico! However, it is celebrated there too in great style! Trust me, I know!! I unknowingly stepped into the middle of a Cinco de Mayo parade once in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico- a border town near El Paso, TX.  Becky and I had wondered why they market was so quiet that day! Hehe! Also Ray heard lots of fireworks the other day while talking to his mom and dad on the phone- who are in San Julian, Mexico!

So here’s some fun inspiration, for weddings or for Cinco de Mayo inspired parties!! )

(pic from favorideas.com)

Mmmmmm, mojitos! I love the contrasting splash of color with the pink placemat!

(pic from favorideas.com)

You can’t really claim to be Mexican or like Mexican food if you don’t love Hot Sauce (Ahhhem! Ray??) How cute is this personalized hot sauce for favors?

This board is from wedding planner Linnyette Richardson, often featured on the Style Networks, whose wedding is it anyway. I LOVE these champagne flutes with salsa!!

(another from favorideas.com)

Fiesta Lanterns from Oriental Trading Company

Fiesta Drink/Toothpick Parasols also from OTC

Separate reception areas ala Rosepepper’sfun/crazy beads! (see below for more Rosepepper info!)

A Mexican/Cinco de Mayo theme can also be great for a rehearsal dinner or shower! We might do our rehearsal dinner Mexican style. However, I’m slightly afraid to offend my new “Mexican” family, since an American’s idea of Mexican food, is NOT what is really eaten in Mexico!

If you’re in Nashville, be sure to hit up a great Mexican restaurant today or sometime soon! My absolute fave is Rosepepper Cantina. It’s a great little place hidden away in East Nashville. If I wasn’t on a diet, that’s where you’d find me today! Let’s hope I don’t cave in and head there anyways…..although just thinking about it my mouth is watering for their super delicious cheese dip, chimichangas, quesadillas, and drinks!! Yuuuuummmmm! If you don’t feel that adventurous, head to Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant (just google or citysearch it, they’re all over the place!)

I’ll be thinking about Mexico all month long with my student’s current Marketplace project! We’re recreating all kinds of handicrafts and practicing how to buy/sell them to each other!! Soon we’ll have a fun day filled with Mexican food and the kids all dressed up to show off the Mexican spirit! And then….school will be over!!! ) YAY SUMMER!! I’ll drink a margarita to that!! )

Signature cocktail!

 

I absolutely LOVE the idea of having a signature cocktail at a wedding! I’m hard pressed coming up with good ideas myself, as blue isn’t necessarily a popular drink color! (At one venue I visited, the manager did suggest a blue Hawaiian punch fountain!)  I’m not for sure that I’ll be able to have one, but I’m sure gonna try my hardest!! )

Stirrings drink mixes have a website to help you build your drink menu based on your wedding theme or colors! Including many non-alcoholic options!! They even have some fantastic templates that you can download to make drink stirrers or drink menus!

How cute!!

          

As for blue drinks…. they have several suggestions using their Wild Blueberry Mixer

Although, I can’t help but wonder if it would end up more of a purple shade?? I’ll have to head to Pier 1 to grab some and find out! They also sell it at Le Gourmet Chef- which is one of my FAVORITE stores but the closest one is in Pigeon Forge, TN! I always buy way too much every time I go, and just recently started buying Stirrings mixes and drink rimmers like….

My obsession since Kerri’s Bachelorette Party…..

And these adorable, fun colored rimmers……

Which actually come in the colors you see on the tin!

I’m still in search of a good blue drink, but who knows….I might just chuck the whole blue thing as far as drinks go and just do whatever I want! Who says that the drinks have to match too?!!

I also found a ton of blue drinks, but haven’t had time to sift through to see if any are do-able and no non-alcoholic  at Absolutdrinks.com! Click here to see the blue drinks! They have several colors you can choose from for drink ideas too!