COCKTAILS AND LIBATIONS TO TANTALIZE AND REFRESH ALL SUMMER LONG!
Entertaining is to summer like peanut butter is to jelly! We’ve got your party covered with our bar basics for a great bash. Want to make a perfect pitcher of Margaritas or Southern Mint Lemonade? Set up a home bar for easy entertaining? Learn tips to stress-free entertaining with our Sip This Up Party Prep Class.
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Drink Calculator
It’s always better to have liquor left over than to run dry at your party. Depending on the size and length of your party, these basic quantities will help your four hour soirée flow:
One 750 milliliter bottle of wine pours 4-6 glasses
One 750 milliliter bottle of spirits provides approximately 14-16 drinks
Signature cocktail ratio is 2½ drinks per guest
Mixers should be stocked at 1 liter for each type for a party crowd of 15 guests or less
If using plastic cups, estimate each guest will use 3 cups during the party
Handy-Dandy Drink Conversion Chart
Most of the spiked heel potions, drinks with a sexy kick, and libations are measured in ounces, jiggers, dashes and teaspoons. To help you easily multiply the effects, here’s a dandy conversion chart.
| Serves 1: | Party Pitcher: |
| ½ oz | 1¼ cup |
| ¾ oz | 1¾ cups plus 2 tbs |
| 1 oz or Pony | 2½ cups |
| 1½ oz or Jigger | 3¾ cups |
| 1 tsp | ¼ cup plus 2½ tbs |
| Dash | 2½ tsp |
PITCHER OF KILLER MARGARITAS
5 cups tequila
3 cups plus shot of triple sec
1¾ cup plus shot of fresh lime juice
Coarse salt to rim glasses
Combine all ingredients except for salt in a large pitcher, add ice and stir vigorously with a long spoon for 30 – 45 seconds. Spoon out the ice cubes and store in refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve in chilled glasses with lime rubbed salted rims. Fire-it up with red “hot” chili cubes by substituting the fruit with small chili peppers in the couture ice cube recipe.
POMEGRANATE COSMOPOLITAN PARTY PITCHER
2 cups vodka
1 cup orange liqueur, I prefer Cointreau (a clear brandy flavored by the peel of sweet and sour oranges)
1 cup cranberry juice
½ cup pomegranate juice
½ cup fresh lime juice, approximately 4 limes
Combine ingredients in a larger pitcher, stir and refrigerate until chilled. Before serving, strain into clear martini glass. Garnish with a lime wedge. Serves 4.
WHITE PEACH SANGRIA
1 bottle Sauvignon Blanc
1½ cups white cranberry juice
½ cup peach Schnapps
Juice of 2 fresh lemons
1 tbs fine sugar
2 peaches, peeled, pitted and cut into wedges
1 navel orange, peeled and cut into thick slices
2 pints fresh raspberries or strawberries, well-rinsed
Combine wine, juice, schnapps and lemon juice in a cold gallon pitcher. Add sugar, peaches and oranges. Stir well and refrigerate overnight. Pour into 8-inch glasses over crushed ice. Garnish with fresh berries or couture ice cubes and enjoy your Spanish pilgrimage to late night tapas and tortillas! Serves 4.
For an extra dazzling drink, make your very own “couture” ice that delights, adds color, flavor and texture that will wow your guests. Entertain in fashion:
COUTURE ICE CUBES
Fresh raspberries, well-rinsed
Fresh blueberries, well-rinsed and all green stems removed
Fresh mint leaves, well rinsed and patted dry
Silicon ice trays
Fill each ice tray only half full with water. Alternating between the fresh fruits and mint leaves, place one fresh raspberry, one fresh blueberry and one fresh mint leaf inside each cube holder. Freeze trays. Remove from freezer and add water atop each cube until full. Re-freeze. Substitute orange juice, cranberry juice, iced tea or any other great mixer and you’ll have fabulous potion garnish! Have fun and be creative by mixing and matching ingredients. Try substituting vodka or another clear alcohol in lieu of juice or even hot red chili peppers inside “hot” couture cubes to fire-up a pitcher of cool margaritas.
