Mid-week Cocktail Cool Down ~ Strawberry Daiquiri

Strawberry Daiquiri

Strawberry Daiduiri from Real Simple

 

Now it's just wouldn't be summer if you didn't have a cool and refreshing Strawberry Daiquiri at your next soirée.  Here is a quick and easy recipe that your guest will love!

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients
1 pint strawberry sorbet
1 1/4 cups light rum
6 cups ice

Directions
1. In a blender, workin gin batches, puree sorbet, rum and ice until it is smooth
2. Transfer into a large pitcher and stir to combine.  Add water to the mixture if necessary to adjust the consistency of the drink.  Serve immediately.

Mid-week Cocktail Cool Down ~ Pineapple Mint Punch

Pineapple Mint Punch from RealSimple

 Pineapple Mint Punch

Serves: 20



Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar
3 quarts pineapple juice
1 liter gin
1 liter club soda
1 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup fresh mint leaves
ice, for serving

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and ½ cup water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the sugar dissolves, 1 to 2 minutes; let cool.

2. In a large bowl, combine the sugar syrup, pineapple juice, gin, club soda, lime juice, and mint. Serve over ice.

Mid-Week Cocktail Cool Down ~ Vodka Cranberry Cooler

Vodka Cranberry Cooler fom Real Simple

Vodka Cranberry Cooler

This is one of my all time FAVORITE "go to" cocktails that I love serving to family and friends on a "hot" summer night!

Ingredients

4 12-ounce bags cranberries (fresh or frozen)

4 cups sugar
3 liters tonic water
1 liter vodka
1 cup fresh lime juice
cream soda and ice, for serving

 

 

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar and 2 cups ofwater; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.  Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cranberries to a large bowl, starin the remaining syrup into the bowl and let cool.

2. Add the tonic water, vodka and lime juice to the cranberry syrup.  Serve over ice and top with a splash of cream soda.

 

Mid-week Cocktail Cool Down ~ Tequila Grapefruit Splash

Tequila Grapefruit Splash from Real Simple

Tequila Grapefruit Splash

This is the perfect punch to serve at your next summer cocktail party.  Make this cocktail the night before your get-together and serve in carafes so you guests can serve themselves.

Serves 20

In a large bowl, combine:

2 quarts of fresh pink grapefruit juice
1 liter of tequila
1/4 cup Triple Sec
3/4 cup Campari 

Directions:
Mix well and refrigerate for up to 6 hours.  Add 2 liters of ginger ale before serving. 

Celebrate the 4th in style with these easy and fun ideas

With the 4th of July right around the corner (ummm it's Monday in case you didn't know) and if you've found yourself stressed for a little "extra" time to plan an amazing celebration - you can now sit back and relax because we've got you covered.  Our friends over at Hostess with the Mostess has come up with some super cute/quick/easy and affordable ideas that will have you and your guests celebrating in style!

Check out some of their cute ideas here.

Wishing you and yours a safe and happy 4th of July!

4th of July Cocktails

This 4th of July, celebrate the holiday in style by serving one of these amazing cocktails at your BBQ bash!

Fourth of July Cocktail from Guy Fieri

Fourth of July Cocktail

Ingredients

• 1 ounce watermelon schnapps
• 1 big splash cranberry juice
• 1 very thin slice jalapeno or Serrano pepper
• 1 slice lemon
• 1 slice lime
• 1 1/2 ounces tequila
• 1/4 ounce blue curacao
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• Watermelon wedge, for garnish (optional)

Directions

Mix the schnapps and cranberry juice in a shaker; pour into an ice-filled glass.

Muddle the jalapeno pepper, lemon and lime slices, tequila, blue curacao and simple syrup (to make a batch, dissolve sugar in equal parts hot water and chill) in the shaker. Slowly strain into the glass over the red layer. Garnish with watermelon, if desired. 

Strawberry Sucker from Rachael Ray

Strawberry Sucker

Ingredients:

• Ice cubes
• 1 ounce vodka (2 tablespoons)
• 2 ounces strawberry schnapps (4 tablespoons)
• Club soda
• 1 strawberry, halved

Directions:

Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. Add the vodka and schnapps and top with club soda. Garnish with the strawberry.

Watermelon Mint Cooler from Real Simple

Watermelon Mint Cooler

 

Ingredients

• 4 cups seedless watermelon chunks (about 1 pound)
• 1 1/2 cups lemonade
• 1/2 cup fresh mint

Directions

In a blender, puree the watermelon and lemonade; strain if desired.  Stir in the mint and serve over ice.  For an instant cocktail: Stir in 1/2 cup vodka or tequila before serving.

Patriotic Margarita from Coastal Living

Patriotic Margarita

Toast your country all year long with this red-and-blue beverage, one of many signature drinks featuring the vodka-based liquor HPNOTIQ.

To make this festive cocktail, follow these simple steps.

1. Puree thawed frozen strawberries.

2. Blend 2 tablespoons each of the strawberry puree, dark rum, coconut milk, pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, and ½ cup crushed ice in a blender until smooth.

3. Pour 2 to 4 tablespoons HPNOTIQ into a glass, and top with 2 to 4 tablespoons of the strawberry mixture.

Red, White and HPNOTIQ Blue Martini from Bar None Drinks

Red, White and HPNOTIQ Blue Martini

 

Ingredients

2 oz. Hpnotiq 

1 oz. Citrus Vodka 

1 splash(es) Lemon Lime Soda 

Grenadine 

Directions

Shake with ice, strain into a martini glass and slowly add a touch of grenadine. Garnish with chopped coconut.

Event Diva's Drink of the Week - Sparkling Margarita

Image from www.bhg.com

Nothing says summertime like a delicious margarita!  I found this amazing margarita recipe on the BHG website the other day and I would have to say that this one is a keeper and will be in heavy rotation this summer. 

To make this yummy cocktail you will need:

1 cup blanco (white) tequila
1/3 cup agave nectar
2/3 cups lime juice (fresh lime juice is the best however if you have no desire to squeeze limes then lime juice from concentrate will work too)
1 1/2 cups sparkling wine or Champagne

Lime peel strips for garnish

Directions

Combine half of the tequila, lime juice and agave nectar in a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. Shake for 5 seconds and strain the mixture into three glasses. Repeat with remaining tequila, juice, and agave nectar. Top each serving with sparkling wine or Champagne. Add a lime peel strip. Add additional lime juice to taste.

This recipe yields 6 servings.

Cheers!

Springtime Entertaining Tips

Spring, hands down, is my FAVORITE season.  With this season, the weather starts to get a little warmer and the days become longer.  Spring/summer is the easiest season for entertaining too.  Parties are expected to be causal, seasonal foods are plentiful and  reasonably priced, and mother nature has taken care of all of your decorating needs.  With Memorial Day right around the corner, we have come up with some easy summer entertaining tips that are guaranteed to make your next fete a success!

1.       Lighten Up Your Menu

When planning your next outdoor soiree try to use as many fresh, seasonal ingredients in your menu as possible. As the weather gets warmer appetites for heavy recipes start to shrink. Go for salads, fresh fruits and grilled food in place of stews and casseroles. You will find it’s much quicker and cooler to prepare these items in the warmer weather and your guests will welcome the seasonal change.

2.       Make Sure You Have Plenty of Ice

Never underestimate how much ice will be used during a warm weather event. Even if the party is inside, guests are still feeling the heat of the spring/summer days and will want lots of ice in their drinks to help cool them down.

3.      Don’t Underestimate How Many Beverages You Will Need

You can best believe that there are never enough drinks available in the spring/summer!  From soda to bear to mixed drinks, there never seems to be enough.  Whether your guests are simply mingling outside and chatting, or playing a vigorous game of volleyball, you can rest assure they will work up a thirst now that the weather is warmer.  When determining your beverages for your next warm weather gathering, make sure to include plenty of bottled water in your beverage arsenal. Sometimes nothing does the trick like a nice icy glass of water.  Event Diva Tip: Place a bucket of fruit filled ice cubes on the side to add a little extra pizzazz. Your guest will LOVE them!

4.       Keep Your Décor Colorful and Casual

There's no need to lug your expensive place settings and décor outside for your next BBQ. Take the advantage of the casual atmosphere the warm weather brings to use inexpensive melamine and other plastic materials at your next outdoor bash. If you don't own any, it pays over the long haul to invest in a sturdy set of summer dinnerware. Colorful dishes help to create a festive mood, it's better for the environment (think green) and it's cheaper than buying disposables (trust me it will pay for itself in the end).

5.      Provide Shelter

If you're hosting your outdoors party during the daytime make sure to provide your guests with options for escaping from the sun. Whether you rent a tent, place groups of chairs under a shady tree, or set up tables with umbrellas, your guests will appreciate a place to escape from the heat. Event Diva Tip: When planning events outdoors, always have a plan B in the event Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate with your vision of sunny skies and delivers some unwelcome rain. 

Happy Planning!

"Q&A with the Event Diva"

Well it's Wednesday and you know what that means....Q&A with the Event Diva. This week we have a question about invitations and entertaining at home.

Thanks for your questions and please keep them coming!

Q: I am thinking about planning a little get together for some friends and would like to send out invitations. Can you tell me how far in advance I should send the invitations out? Is there such a thing as sending out the invitations too early?

A: When sending invitations out for a party I usually follow the 3 week rule. Sometimes I will send them out 4 weeks prior to the event if it is close to a major holiday. This allows you ample time to get on people’s calendars before they make other plans. However sending them too far in advance (more than 4 weeks out), you are taking a risk that they may completely forget about your party (which I’m almost sure will happen). Either way, I would also suggest following up with your guests with either an email reminder or a phone call about a week before your party to get a final count and to make sure that no one has forgotten about your party.

Q: Whenever I have a party at the house, it never fails that everyone almost always ends up in the kitchen. For my next house party, how can I ensure that this doesn’t happen?

A: I completely understand what you are going through because it always happens to me too. A simple solution to this common problem is to put the bar as far away from the kitchen as you can. Remember this simple rule, people will always gather either around food or the bar. So by keeping them both out of the kitchen you reduce the risk of having your party end up in that one room. Space permitting, I suggest setting up several drink and food stations through out the house so that your guests are forced to move around during the party. This also avoids bottle-necking and long food and drink lines.

Got a question for the Event Diva? Email us at info@beckwithevents.com - and include in the subject line "Q&A with the Event Diva". We will try to answer all questions in the order in which they were received. Check back every Wednesday to see if your question is listed.

HAPPY PLANNING!

Celebrating Mom!

"Who ran to help be when I fell,
And would some pretty story tell,
Or kiss the place to make it well?
My Mother." -Ann Taylor

We celebrate Mother’s Day every year and with good reason. Being a mother is one of the hardest jobs a woman will ever have. You are on call 24/7, 365 days a year. There are no sick days, personal time off or vacation days accrued. You can not call in a sub for the day and there is no retirement. There is no salary, bonuses or cost of living adjustments. Yet, it is the most rewarding job a woman can do. A mother’s hard work is often overlooked sometimes unappreciated. So with Mother’s Day this Sunday (May 10th) what better way to celebrate mom, to simply say “Thank You” for loving me than by hosting a Mother’s Day brunch in her honor.

Below you will find nine (9) easy steps for planning a memorable stress-free brunch honoring that special lady in your life…you mom.

Step 1: Set your budget. With the economy being the way it is keep in mind that it isn’t necessary for you to break the bank just to show your mom that you care. Knowing how much you can comfortably spend up front will help you plan how to celebrate mom on her day - stress free.

Step 2: Create a theme. Building a theme around your mom’s interest and hobbies is guaranteed to be a hit. If your mother is a gardener, incorporate some of her favorite flowers from her garden into the décor. Does she love to scrapbook? If so, make 12x12 collages filled with fun family photo’s and place them throughout the house. Incorporating her favorite things into the theme, like her favorite color, flower and music will give your brunch that “special” touch and show your mom that this day is all about her.

Step 3: Choose the location. Hosting the brunch at her favorite restaurant is always a great option, however you may be limited in the amount of personalization you can do. Some other places to consider are a park, special event facility, and your backyard (weather permitting). Keep in mind if hosting the brunch outdoors; always have a back up plan in the event of bad weather.

Step 4: Create the guest list. Are you planning something grand or just planning on inviting your immediate family? My rule of thumb is to always let your budget dictate your guest list.

Step 5: Send out invitations: Whether you decide to have a small intimate gathering with only family or a grand affair, it’s always nice to send out invitations to your guests. No matter how simple or elaborate the invitation is, make sure it includes three basic elements:
· The date and time of the event
· The location, including directions and phone number in the event they get lost and need directions
· The attire – let your guest know how they should come dressed to the event. Is this a casual brunch held outside in the backyard or will it be held at the Four Seasons? Letting your people know how they should dress takes the stress of what to wear off your guests and lends to a better event for all attending.

Step 6: Create the menu. Are you hosting the event at a restaurant? If so pick your mom’s favorite one. Or if you’re hosting the brunch at your house, are you going to have it professionally catered or will you be doing all the cooking yourself? Whichever you decide keep in mind your mom’s favorite foods when planning the menu.

Step 7: Plan the entertainment. Hiring a band or DJ are always good options, or you can keep it simple and create a play list of your mother’s favorite songs and burn them on a CD or put them on your mp3. If children will be attending, have them write poems that they can recite during the event.

Step 8: Take lots of pictures. Designate one or two people as the official photographers to capture the special moments of the day. You can also place disposable cameras in various places for the guests to snap candid photos during the brunch.

Step 9: Have fun! Make the event a fun experience for everyone involved.

Most of all remember what the day is all about – it’s about celebrating mom and treating her like a queen for the day. You don’t have to go to extremes because in the end, it’s the little things that count and mean the most.

~~Our First Show! Hosting a Fabulous Cocktail Party~~

Today we launched our new internet radio show on Blog Talk Radio - "Cocktails and Conversation with the Event Diva" (www.blogtalkradio.com/cocktailsandconversations)

March 20th marked the first official day of spring and for most this is also the official kick off to entertaining. With the weather getting warmer more people are finding themselves hosting parties...barbeques...open houses. Tonight we thought we would talk about how to host a fabulous cocktail party.

Tonight's Signature Cocktail

Sour Apple Martini

1 1/2 oz. Sour Apple Pucker

1/2 oz. Triple Sec

1/2 oz. Vodka

1 1/2 oz. Sour Mix

Add all ingredients in a shaker with a small amount of ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a cherry in the bottom of the glass.

CHEERS!

What is a Cocktail Party?

A cocktail party is a social gathering, held early in the evening, usually for a period of about 2-3 hours, typically from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M.or 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. It may take place in a home, at a private room in a restaurant or hotel, or in a business such as an art gallery or bookstore. Cocktails, wine, and soft drinks are served, though contemporary cocktail parties may offer wine and soft drinks exclusively and skip the cocktails. Beverages are accompanied by finger foods, which are meant to delight the palate, stave off hunger until dinnertime, and complement the cocktails. Cocktail parties are great for entertaining friends or business associates, or a combination of both.

Party Decisions

Your cocktail party can be as simple or as complex as you wish to make it . As with any event that you host there are a few questions you should ask yourself when beginning to plan your party.

1. What is you budget for this event?
2. How many guests will be attending? This number will impact your budget greatly, so if you're working with a limited budget keep the guest list small.
3. Is this a casual event for friends or a formal business networking event?
4. Will there be a full bar or a limited cocktail menu?
5. Will the party be indoors or outdoors? If outdoors what is the plan B in the event for inclimate weather?
6. What type of foods will you serve?
7. Is there a theme/occasion for your party?

The Food

A full course meal is not necessary when hosting a cocktail party. Simple foods like hors d'oeuvres and other finger foods allow your guests to graze throughout the event. Serving something like cheese and crackers, a veggie platter and a nice fruit display is nice and simple for the novice cocktail host/hostess. You could also do a themed cocktail party where you serve just desserts or maybe a chocolate cocktail party and do a chocolate fountain with all the fixings! Remember it can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. If you don't have the desire, time or talent for cooking then do what I do and call your favorite caterer or take-out restaurant for help.

The Drinks

Now we all know you can't have a cocktail party without having the cocktails!!! There are two options available to you when it comes to serving the drinks...

1. Have a full bar - this option gives your guests the option to choose their favorite drink. This is great if you have a well stocked bar or if your are willing to buy the basics (liquor and mixers) and are able to mix up a variety of drinks. Think the movie "Cocktail".

2. Come up with a drink menu or serve a signature drink - this is my favorite option because it encourages your guests to step out of their "cocktail" comfort zone and possibly try something new. This is also a great way to save money because you don't need to have a fully stocked bar. I like to select and ore-mix several cocktails that I will be serving through out the night right before my guests arrive. That way I can spend more time talking with the guest and less time behind the bar (or in my case in the kitchen) mixing drinks.

I would also like to share with you some helpful hints on making your next cocktail party a fabulous one...

• Make sure you have all the essentials for your bar. If having a full bar make sure to have a variety of liquor and mixers (soda, soda water, juice, etc.).
• Send your invitations out early but not too early. 2-3 weeks should be more than enough time unless it is a busy time of the year - like around the holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas).
• Make sure you stock up on cocktail napkins, plates, and glasses.
• Plan on 50-75% of invited guests to attend when estimating the number of drinks you'll be pouring and how many bottles you'll need. A good rule of thumb is that on average each guest will have 2-3 drinks during the evening.
• Add a WOW factor to your event. This could be a speciality drink, garnish, food dish, decor element, or gift (take away).

Always remember that every good host/hostess is responsible for those drinking at their party. Be aware of guests who have had too much to drink and cut them off when necessary. When they are ready to leave call them a cab or arrange to have them leave with a designated driver. It's also good practice to keep in mind that everyone may not want to drink, so make sure you have a few non-alcoholic drinks or "mocktails" available for them.

But the most important thing to remember when hosting any event is to have fun. Planning early and properly will ensure that you will spend less time stressing and more time enjoying your guests.

Happy Planning!

Beckwith & Associates Launches New Internet Radio Show!!

I am happy to announce that Beckwith& Associates will be hitting the internet airwaves starting Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 6:00pm. We will be airing our first live broadcast "Cocktails and Conversation" on Blog Talk Radio - www.blogtalkradio.com/cocktailsandconversations. During each broadcast we will feature a signature cocktail and talk about something to social entertaining, from cocktail parties to weddings and everything in between - we'll talk about it!

Got a question for the Event Diva (me)? Well you can call your question in during our live broadcast at (347) 838-9795 and we'll try our best to answer it. You can also subscribe to our pod casts via iTunes our you can listen to any of our archived shows by visiting our website - www.blogtalkradio.com/cocktailsandconversations.

See you on Thursday, April 6, 2008!

~~Planning the Perfect Holiday Party~~

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays of the year. I love everything about it…the sights (all the pretty lights), the sounds (people caroling…yes, believe it or not people still do), the smells (evergreen, cookies, pies) and the good cheer. This is also my favorite time to throw a party…but then I’ll throw a party just because it’s Wednesday. (smile)

If you’re like me and love to entertain, I thought I would share with you some of my favorite things I use when hosting the perfect holiday gathering.

First the cocktail...

I love greeting guests as they arrive with a cocktail, it’s just right thing to set the mood for the evening. This year I will be serving the Peppermint Patty at all of my holiday gatherings.

Peppermint Patty Cocktail

Ingredients:

2 ounces vodka 1 ounces peppermint schnapps

1/2 ounces white crème de cacao

Directions:
Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice.
Stir gently and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Servings: One cocktail.

To add a little pizazz crush some peppermints in a food processor. Dip the rim of your cocktail glass in water and then dip the rim in the ground peppermints. Garnish your cocktail with a candy cane.

Drink recipe and photo courtesy of fineliving.com


Next the appetizer...

As much as I love to entertain I don’t like to cook, but if there is one thing that I don’t mind making that would be my favorite Hot Crab Dip. I found this great recipe on the Food Network’s website a while back and it’s never failed me. In addition to the Hot Crab Dip, I also make sure to call my favorite caterer who is always on “stand by” ready to help me at a moments notice for all the rest. (smile)

Hot Crab Dip

Ingredients:

1 pound jumbo lump crab meat, free of shells

1 cup grated pepper jack cheese

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup grated Parmesan

1/4 cup green onions, minced, optional

5 to 6 roasted garlic cloves or 2 cloves minced

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons fresh lemon or lime juice

1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine all of the ingredients in a casserole and gently stir until thoroughly mixed.

Bake for 40 minutes.

Serve hot with crackers or toast points.

Recipe and Photo courtesy of FoodNetwork.com

Now that we’ve got the cocktail and appetizer checked off our list, let’s move on to music.

A holiday party is just not a party without good old Christmas music to get you in the mood. Below you will find just a few of my favorites. Don’t have time to go out and buy the CD? No problems. Most of the songs can be found and downloaded from iTunes for just 99 cents!

Here are my top 6 picks for this holiday season...

1. The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole
2. Christmas Time is Here – Vince Guaraldi Trio (from A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack)
3. Let it Snow – Michael Bublé (the entire CD is a must have!)
4. All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
5. Jingle Bells – Ella Fitzgerald (from the CD Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas)
6. Winter Wonderland - Ella Fitzgerald (from the CD Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas)

So we've got the cocktail, appetizer, caterer on speed dial and the music we’re all set for a great holiday gathering! All you have to do now is pick a date and invite your guests.

Here’s to a fun holiday party!

Happy Planning!