Planning for Cinco De Mayo

May 5th is Cinco de Mayo and here are a few ideas if you plan of celebrating with friends and family to get a jump start on the festivities. Serve your food buffet style and let everyone help themselves.  

Scroll to the bottom of the page for an easy Corona Margarita recipe that everyone will enjoy.  

Easy Mexican salad you can throw together in no time.  Chopped Romaine lettuce, can of drained and rinsed black beans and corn, peeled and diced avocado, crushed tortilla chips, grape tomatoes, and an offering of an easy dressing made of 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, pinch of fresh garlic (if desired) and tablespoons fresh minced cilantro.  Easy method is place all the dressing ingredients in a small jar, put on the lid, shake and serve. 

I like to serve steak fajitas, and always have an offering of flour tortillas and/or corn.  The corn is preferred and used if you are on a Gluten-Free restricted diet. 

Serve up your favorite salsa, Pico de Gallo, sour cream, taco sauce, shredded lettuce and grated cheese, black beans, and guacamole.

Don't forget to serve cut up limes!

~Corona Margarita~

Dampen the rim of the margarita glass and dip it into salt.  Pour the following ingredients into a blender and blend well.  Serve it with a lime wedge garnish.

6 ounces white or blanco tequila

12 ounce Corona

6 ounces frozen limeade concentrate

Ice cubes

Outlandish Bloody Mary's

Photos and Ideas on martinidiva.  You must check this out!

If you read my blog, you know I love a good Bloody Mary on weekends. And when I find a "make your own bloody bar bar" my day is made! But check these photos out.  Seriously, a melt in your mouth cheeseburger on a skewer IN the Bloody Mary! You have my attention.

Gone are the days of simple tomato juice, vodka and a few spices. Today you expect your Bloody Mary to be a salad in a glass, or possibly your full meal in your glass, followed by a pint size beer chaser. Try using V-8 juice as the base instead of tomato juice. The extra spices give it a special kick. When I'm having guests, it's easy to prepare your favorite Bloody Mary recipe ahead of time. Then put it into a glass pitcher and refrigerate and keep chilled. It's an absolute time saver. 

Put out toppings on a tray and or small bowls....my favorites are horseradish, celery, blue cheese stuffed olives, gherkin pickles, and a small shake of hot sauce. Now if you'll excuse me, I am going to make a Bloody Mary. Cheers🍷

What do you like in your Bloody Mary?

Easy Summer Peach Sangria

Summer is officially a week away and outdoor entertaining and dining is finally here. If you are looking for a signature cocktail for your next get together, Sangria is the perfect cocktail. It's both light and refreshing. It's peach season so pick them up at your local Farmer's Market or favorite grocer.  

This recipe serves 4-6 but double or triple for more servings.  

2-3 medium white peaches, sliced and divided

3/4 cup peach brandy

1 bottle of chilled Moscato wine

www.Seagrams.com white peach seltzer water, chilled

Ice

Place the sliced peaches and brandy in a pitcher or dispenser and gently muddle.

Add the Moscato and seltzer water. Stir to mix and pour into0 iced glasses to serve.  Top with a peach slice.  It's that easy!

Enjoy and happy weekend!

(I am taking the week off from my blog next week but returning the week of June 20th. Until then..CHEERS!🍹)

Looking for a Memorial Day Cocktail?

Happy Memorial Day.

This is an easy summer cocktail that works well when entertaining. It has just four ingredients and is simple to make.  I love it for Memorial Day or 4th of July for the red, white and blue colors. Plus it is refreshing and delicious.

All you need is your favorite vodka, sparkling lemon soda like LaCroix or Sanpellegrino, blackberries and basil. 

Gently muddle 4 blackberries in the bottom of a stemless wine glass. Fill halfway with ice. Add 1 1/2 oz. vodka and stir. Top with sparkling water and stir again. Garnish with 2 fresh blackberries and a basil sprig. Serves one🍹 

Have a safe Memorial Day and be kind to others. We are in life together. Thank a Veteran when you see them and let them know we appreciate their service.

Party Manhattans

It's the time of year we are moving our entertaining outdoors. Birthdays, graduations, Father's Day, Memorial Day....the list goes on.  

Why not set up a "Manhattan" side bar for your next gathering?  I needed a recipe for a big crowd I could make ahead of time and found this easy one on Seriouseats.  Signature cocktails are always a great idea. Instead of taking drink orders, you will enjoy your friends and family. Cheers!🍸

 This recipe will serve 8-10 cocktails and yields 32 ounce18 ounces rye whiskey ( I like Makersmark), 9 ounces sweet vermouth,  18 dashes Hellabitters, 5 ounces filtered or bottled water (not mineral). Using a funnel, pour rye, vermouth, bitters and water into a pitcher.  Chill well and stir before serving. 

Garnishes on the side: Makers Mark Bourbon cocktail cherries and lemon twists (& ice)

Not entertaining and want to treat yourself to a Manhattan this weekend?

2 ounces rye whiskey, 1 ounce sweet vermouth, 2 dashes bitters, 1 dash orange bitters. Add to an iced glass and stir. Garnish with a lemon twist or brandied cherry. (found at liquor or grocery store). Binny's Beverage Depot is at the top of my list for beverages when entertaining. 

A birthday shout out to our Grandson, Ryder. We couldn't be more proud of you and love you all the love in the world! You're AMAZING!

Margarita Time

There is a lot of celebrating going on the next few days at my house. Our son and daughter in laws birthdays, Valentine's Day and Super Bowl watch party.  So it makes perfect sense to have a great tasting and easy cocktail. The original margarita will pair perfectly with my menu of both buffalo and mild chicken wings with blue cheese, buffalo and teriyaki dipping sauces, vegetarian and regular nachos, and burgers. 

Per Serving:

1 ounce Cointreau

2 ounces of your favorite Tequila

1 ounce fresh lime juice

Margarita salt

Rim the top of your glasses with freshly cut lime and dip the rim in margarita salt. Add the above ingredients to a shaker with ice, shake for a few seconds until blended and chilled and pour into your glass.

Enjoy your moments and happiest birthdays to Ryan and Lisa. We love you all the love in the world. 

Birthday wishes to my dear friend Mary too!

Fun & Simple Labor Day Entertaining

 Labor Day is a popular weekend for cookouts and outdoor parties. 

No matter how clever you try to be with your menu planning, everyone likes the standards.  

Grilled burgers, grilled chicken, hot dogs, bratwursts, and of course, steaks.  

Mixed fruit salad, tomato, mozzarella and basil skewers (pictures below), potato salad.  Brownies, cookies, or set up a "make your own ice cream sundae" station.  

 I always like to feature a signature" cocktail. Make up pitchers of Ginger Shandies (recipe and picture below) for refreshing drinks.

 This recipe makes 6 servings.  

You need: 3 bottles chilled Hoegaarden beer, 1 bottle chilled ginger beer, thinly sliced lemon, mint sprigs. Hoegaarden beer is a flavorful beer complimented with coriander and orange peel and it adds refreshing flavor to this cocktail.

In a large pitcher, combine the chilled beers.  Stir in most of the lemon slices and mint sprigs.  Fill 6 rocks glasses with ice.  Add remaining lemon slices to the glasses and pour in the Ginger Shandy.  Garnish each glass with a mint sprig and serve.  It tastes refreshing and looks appealing in the pitcher. 

Enjoy your safe and happy Labor Day weekend.

Ginger Shandies (Delish.com)

Martini Shots to Toast the Oscars

Dirty Martini Shots🍸

It's more important than ever to celebrate the movie industry that has been hit with recent hard times due to temporary closings during the pandemic.  

The 93rd Academy Awards are this Sunday, April 25th at 7:00 CST.  The red carpet and acceptance speeches will be done differently for the 2nd year in a row. But we can celebrate from the comfort of our homes with our favorite foods and cocktails to cheer on the winners.

This cocktail literally takes 5 minutes to create allowing you time to sit back and enjoy it's smooth flavor.

4 Servings

4 oz. Ketel One vodka or gin

1 1/2 oz. olive brine (I prefer the flavor from the olive jar vs. bottled martini olive juice)

splash of vermouth

splash of water

olive garnish (in my house, Blue cheese olives are a martini must)

Combine all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Shake (not stirred)

Strain into the shot glasses

Garnish with olives 

Sip, savor and enjoy the Oscars.

Bloody Mary Your Way

If you follow my blog, you know by now I am a fan of Bloody Mary's. It's my go to cocktail for weekends whether it's two of us or a crowd.  It's strong spirited and you can make it your own recipe by adding any of your favorite garnishes you have in the house.  I have been making them for years but recently discovered shaking the vodka, tomato juice, ice and horseradish in a cocktail shaker before serving is a real game changer.  I'll never make them any other way.  Years ago, I bought this vintage cocktail shaker at the Randolph Street Market in Chicago for its look on my bar cart. Putting it to use for my cocktails makes me fee I've steppedl right out of "Mad Men".  

I like using one small can of v-8 for each Bloody Mary because it contains a nice blend of spices in each serving.  Then add 2 ounces vodka, Grey Goose, a pinch of horseradish if desired and ice to the cocktail shaker.  Shake 30 seconds and pour.  Garnish with celery, cooked bacon, a lemon wedge, a shake of black pepper, celery salt, and blue cheese or feta stuffed olives.  

CHEERS❤

How Do You Like Your Bloody Mary?

Everyone loves a Summer cocktail and who doesn't love customizing it with their favorite mixes and additions?  Set up all your toppings, mixers, vodkas, glasses, stirrers, and big cube ice for an easy Bloody Mary Bar.   My favorite mixer is vintagevinemix with just the right amount of spices.  Vintage Vine is natural and gluten free and made with the highest quality ingredients. 

Mix with your favorite vodka. Our favorites are titosvodka or absolutvodka. Either one teams up beautifully for a delicious tasting cocktail. 

Everyone has their own style for customizing their Bloody Mary. Here are a few suggestions to top off your drink with taste and style.

Pickle spears, salami, blue cheese stuffed olives, celery, grape tomatoes, cucumber spears, dill pickles, Tabasco, celery salt, lime wedges, a small dollop of horseradish if you like extra kick and a shake of Worcestershire.

Cheers to your weekend🍹

Bloody Mary Anyone?

Though the world is beginning to release a few restrictions, it seems we will be staying in our homes for a while yet. That's okay because it's our comfort zone and we feel safe. With so many of us working from home, at times it is hard to keep track of what day it is. It is still important to look at the weekend as a special time to treat yourself to a mimosa or Bloody Mary, allow yourself time to find a lounge chair outside with a book and give yourself permission to clear your head and breathe.

Here's one of my favorite Bloody Mary recipes and it makes four servings. Make a pitcher, place in the fridge to pour and stir when you are ready to enjoy.

24 ounces V8, 1 teaspoon celery seed, 1 tablespoon ground black pepper, squeeze the juice of a lime and lemon, 2-3 tablespoons horseradish, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 8 ounces Titosvodka, (if you're a gin lover, that works too.) Pour into iced glasses, place a celery stalk and wedge of lime in each glass.

For extra zest, try adding a drop of balsamic vinegar on top of each drink before serving.  For my secret ingredient I like to add a tiny pinch of shaved ginger for a unique taste all your own.

A make your own Bloody Mary bar is always fun.

Blue cheese or Feta cheese stuffed olives are a must at my house.

Cheers to the weekend and staying home!

                                                   

Celebrate Summer with a "Summer Mary" or "Beer Mary"

I love a great make your own Bloody Mary bar when we are out, or when hosting friends on the weekends.  Some like a lot of spice while others prefer their Bloody Mary on the milder side.  Some like theirs topped with meats, cheeses and relishes while others go traditional with lime, celery and stuffed olives of choice. Other great garnishes include cucumber slices, pickle spears, spears of chilled cocktail shrimp, cubed cheddar, pepperocinis, Worcestershire sauce, small dollop of horseradish, shake of celery salt, and of course, vodka. 

 Betterhomesandgardens has a recipe for making a pitcher of 8 servings of Spice Beer Mary I've listed below. This recipe is a "Mary" with beer as the main ingredient...no vodka.  

Interesting twist......have you tried it before?

~Spicy Beer Mary~

Kosher salt, 1 lime cut into wedges, 3 cups hot vegetable juice, chilled, 1 teaspoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire, 1/4-1/2 teaspoon bottled hot pepper sauce, 1/4 teaspoon celery seeds, 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper, 2 (12 oz.) cans or bottle lager or pilsner chilled beer, ice cubes, celery sticks and lime wedges.  Old Bay seasoning is optional too.

In a shallow dish, combine Old Bay seasoning and salt.

Rub rims of 8 (12 oz.) pilsner glasses with lime wedges from 1 lime, and dip rims in salt mixture. 

In a large pitcher combine vegetable juice, lime juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, celery seeds, and white pepper. Pour in the beer and stir gently to combine.

Serve in glasses over ice and garnish with celery sticks and or additional lie wedges.

CHEERS!🍸

Toast St. Patrick's Day with a Festive Libation

Whether you're Irish born or Irish for the day, raise a glass and join the global celebration of the Irish culture.  On March 17, we remember Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland with gatherings of family and friends.
 Irish coffee has always been a favorite of mine on St. Patrick's Day.  But this year I thought it would be fun to come up with another libation idea for our festivities.  I found these easy, decadent and delicious "Pots of Gold" shots on Celebrations.
 It will make 6 shots and can be served in shot glasses or mini black buckets that will look like a pot of gold after they've been topped with whipped cream and gold sprinkles.

You will need the following:
9 ounces Kahlua
9 ounces Bailey's or O'Mara's Irish Cream
Whipped Cream
Gold sprinkles

Pour one shot (1.5 ounces) of Kahlua into each shot glass.  Top each with another shot of Bailey's or O'Mara's Irish Cream.  Top each with whipped cream and gold sprinkles.  Serve, enjoy and happy weekend!

Before my Mom passed away 7 years ago, she surprised me with this shamrock plant.  As you can guess, it is special to me and it's beautiful flowers always make me smile.  

I used O'Mara's Irish Cream

Topping the whipped cream with gold star sprinkles I found at Wilton

Lakehouselyn photo

                                     

☘

Kick Off Super Bowl Texas Style

Sunday, February 5 kicks off Super Bowl L1 from the gorgeous NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas and whether you are cheering for the New England Patriots or the Atlanta Falcons, it's time to enjoy football at home surrounded by friends, family and great food and drinks the way the Texans celebrate. Recently, King Ranch Saddle Shop has been on the prowl for fun and unique Texas-style game day celebrations and I thought I'd join along! For those of you who don't know, King Ranch has a rich Texan history dating back to 1853 and has grown from a cattle ranch into so much more! For the sake of the game, I suggest checking out their cowgirl boots because, let's be honest - bringing a cow into the living room would be a bit overkill. 

Style out your table with party ware from your favorite party store.  I bought these great plates, napkins and colored candies in both teams colors to place on the table to create a festive look from Party City.

Our cocktail of the day will be Titos Vodka American Mules (recipe below).  It is produced in Austin, Texas at Texas' oldest distillery and the skillful process makes it outstanding in your cocktails.

Our menu will be American Mule cocktails, Texas style barbecue chicken drumsticks with a barbecue hot sauce blend. Also serving slow cooker barbecue beef brisket as our main dish, accompanied by macaroni and cheese and baked beans with a spicy sauce. Enjoy my recipes and pictures below and have a great weekend celebrating the big win and thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Snacks of chocolate candies in teams colors in football cups I found at Party City.

Wash and bake chicken drumsticks or wings in 400 degree oven for 1 hour or until done.  Mix half or entire bottle of hot sauce (depends on how spicy you want them) and 1 1/2 cups favorite barbecue sauce together in a dish. Brush drumsticks or legs when they are done with sauce and stick back in oven for 10 more minutes. Delicious and don't forget plenty of napkins!

Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef Brisket with 3 ingredients. How easy is this? 1 6 pound beef brisket, 1 jar dill pickle spears, and 1 (18 ounce) bottle barbecue sauce.  Sweet meets spice and it's delicious. Place brisket in the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the pickle spears and pickle juice over the beef, add bottle barbecue sauce.  Cook on high until beef shreds easily with 2 forks, about 6 hours.  

You will use 1.5 oz. Titos vodka, 0.5 oz. lime juice, 3 oz. ginger beer.  Combine all ingredients into chilled copper mug filled with crushed ice and serve.

Grab your cowboy boots, make a plate of awesome food, kick back with a chilled Tito's vodka Mule and enjoy the game!