THE Best Summer Cocktail

Are you looking for a light, refreshing cocktail mixture for your next outdoor gathering?  

Perhaps for your Father's Day Picnic or July 4th celebration cookout?

Well, if you've not heard or seen it, I have THE perfect one for you.

Raspberry Beer Cocktail

{aka "Skippy's"}

Southern Living Magazine

In my last post, I mentioned my niece's bridal shower was this past weekend, and I was in charge of the cocktails.  

Imagine that?!  The "CosmoGirl" in charge of cocktails!

Since it was an afternoon gathering, and a bridal shower, I didn't think my signature drink, Cosmopolitans, would be a good idea.

So, I started searching for refreshing summertime cocktails, and I found what I believe to be the best thing evaahhh!!!  Not only me, but all those ladies, and a few gents, at the shower agreed.  They sucked down this cocktail like it was the last bit of sustaining liquid on the planet.  

I actually quadrupled the recipe and we still ran out!

I decided to serve this amazing concoction in super-cute quilted crystal canning jars, that I will be able to use later in the season when I start canning goodies from the garden.  

They looked so adorable all line up on the lime-green tray just waiting to be grabbed up by the party goers.  I wished I'd taken more photos of the drink table, but you know how hectic it is setting up for a party . . .  especially a surprise party.  

I also made up a batch of Blue Margaritas in honor of my niece's "something blue" she's wearing on her wedding day ~ a fabulous pair of blue Manolo Blahnik shoes.  

The Blue Margaritas played second fiddle to the Raspberry Beer Cocktail, renamed "Rachel's Blushing Bride Cocktail" for the shower.  

I can't wait to whip a batch of these this weekend.  Maybe we'll have some for Father's Day.  Oh, and maybe a batch while relaxing on the deck Friday evening.  I bet a batch after a hard day's work in the yard on Saturday would be nice too. 

;o) 

You have to try this recipe.  

Even if you're not a beer drinker, I guarantee you and your guests will love it!

The Recipe

3/4 cup frozen raspberries

3-1/2 (12 oz) light beers*, chilled

1 (12 oz) frozen lemonade raspberry concentrate, thawed

1/2 cup vodka**

lemons and limes for garnish

*The reviewers of the recipe suggested using different light beers that all worked well ~ Corona Light, Bud Light Lime, even Miller Lite.  I choose to use Bud Light Lime hoping to get a bit more lime flavor going, and it worked great.

**I choose to use a citron (citrus flavored) vodka, and, again, it was great.  

I also could not find raspberry lemonade concentrate in my supermarket, so I used lemonade frozen concentrate and raspberry juice from the juice case.  I sliced lots of lemons and limes to place inside the drink dispenser with the frozen raspberries.  And in each mason jar glass, I added a couple fresh raspberries and thin slice of lime.

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Homemade Orange Infused Vodka

Vodka is so hot right now, as I'm sure you've all noticed.  Just look down the shelves in the vodka section of any liquor store.

There's an absolute myriad of flavors to choose from.  The flavors I've purchased from time-to-time, or on a pretty regular basis ;o), are orange, lemon, raspberry and strawberry.  

This year I decided to try infusing vodka myself.  Based on the research I did, it's not that hard.  You pretty much pick a fruit, or even a vegetable, and let it macerate in vodka for several weeks or more.  When using citrus for infusion, be sure to get just the peel with no pith.   A bitter flavor will result if too much pith is left on the peel. 

Some resources I found used the actual "meat" of the orange, and others did not.  I decided to add the orange sections.  I can only imagine it might add a bit more flavor.  

Strain it through cheesecloth, and bottle it up.  

That's it.  

Certainly not rocket science!

I learned that expensive vodka isn't even necessary.  A moderately priced one will do.  Well, I'm a self-proclaimed vodka snob.  

Usually, my vodka of choice is Ketel One.  I think it's a smooth, light-tasting vodka that's well priced.  A 750ml bottle in my area usually runs under $25 a bottle.  But, a few years ago I discovered a vodka called P.I.N.K.  

It's an ultra-premium vodka from the Netherlands that's distilled five times, and infused with guarna and caffeine.  When choosing a good premium vodka, it's good to look for one that's distilled at least three times.  It usually sells for $30 to $35.  When it was first introduced, I think there were hopes of it being a hot new club vodka ~ most likely because of the additions of the guarana and caffeine.   Oh, and if you happen to accidentally over-indulge just a bit, I think those additions help ward off a bit of yukiness the next morning . . . if YOU know what I mean!

As luck would have it ~ for me, anyway! ~ a nearby liquor store over purchased this vodka buying a ridiculous amount.  And since their inventory was not moving as quickly as they would like,  almost two years ago they started selling P.I.N.K. half price.  WooHoo!!!!  I've been buying bottles, usually several at a time, for $11.99.  Can't beat that for premium vodka.

Annywaaay . . . when infusing my vodka, I decided to use P.I.N.K.  

It's good stuff, and the price is right.  

Now, once the infusion is complete {sheesh, I do sound like rocket scientist!}, and I've strained the vodka, I'll be pouring it into these recycled bottles.  

Aren't they cute?!

Another yummy liquor found a few years ago.  In the past, I would always a cheaper orange liqueur when making my cosmos ~ usually DeKuyper's Triple Sec.  Then I discovered Patron's Citronge orange liqueur.  It's comparable to Cointreau, but a few dollars less.  It runs around $22 for 750ml, and it's delish in my cocktails.  And look and at the super-cute bottle you're left with?  And the cork . . . I love it.  

It looks like a mushroom. 

I have saved a few of the empty bottles thinking I could certainly use them for something.   

Well, maybe more than just a few . . . ;o)

Once the infusion is complete, hehe, I'll be sure to report my findings.  

I'm thinking these would make nice hostess gifts.  Of course, I'll jazz up the bottles with a handmade label or tag, making sure the recipient knows this vodka was infused with fresh citrus especially for them.

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An Afternoon Treat

After a very long ~ but very productive ~ week of working in the gardens, sprucing up the landscaping and  getting all the pots and planters filled with beautiful blooms, a little relaxing mid-afternoon treat on the deck is certainly in order.

Homemade bruschetta and an icy cold Orange Crush.

Mmmmmm . . . yummy and refreshing!

Orange Crush:

Equal parts Mandarin Vodka, Patron Citronge (or any brand orange/citrus liqueur), fresh squeezed orange juice (or a good quality store bought) over ice, topped off with Sprite. 

It's the perfect Summer-time cocktail.

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COCKTAIL ANYONE?

Well I did it!  I'm pretty much totally decorated for Christmas.  Just a little tweaking  here and there.  Good thing, too.  I'm hosting Bunco tomorrow night, and I had to have the house ready.  It should be a fun night.  Our group hasn't been together to play in over a year!  

Sangria

We'll be having a fun evening of dice play, cocktails and hors de oeuvres, a little "Dirty Santa" ornament exchange, and just plain ole girl-hanging-out fun!  

Champagne and Cranberries

Of course I'll be serving Cosmopolitans, my signature drink.  But it is the Holidays, so we need to jazz up the bar a bit.  In searching for some pretty, and yummy-sounding, Holiday cocktail recipes, I came across a few to share. 

If nothing else, the photos themselves are just gorgeous and festive.

A definite on the cocktail menu will be Candy Cane Martinis.  It's the recipe used at the Four Seasons in NYC.  It was prepared on the Martha Stewart show a few years back, and I knew I just had to try it.  It was a big hit!  I think it deserves a repeat performance ;o)

Candy Cane Martini

Candy Cane Martini (recipe makes one)

2 ounces Strawberry Vodka

4 dashes (around 1 teaspoon) White Creme De Menthe

2-1/2 ounces Cranberry Juice

Rim glass with crushed candy canes and garnish with a mini candy cane.

Below is a cocktail that will make it's debut at my home.  Rudolph's Tipsy Spritzer from Southern Living, December 2008.

Rudolph's Tipsy Spritzer (recipe makes 9-1/2 cups)

5 cups Orange Juice

2 cups chilled Lemon-Lime soft drink

1-1/2 cups Vodka

1/2 cup Maraschino Cherry Juice

1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice

Stir together all ingredients; serve over ice; garnish with lemon slices and fresh rosemary sprigs.

Rudolph's Tipsy Spritzer

I keep reading punches are coming back.  May have to break out my Grandmother's punch set and serve some up for Christmas.

Champagne Pomegranate Punch

Egg Nog Martini

Jingle Juice

 Mmmmm . . . chocolate . . . 

MexiCoco

 Beautiful glasses.  

Anything would look appetizing served up in those beauties.

Pineapple Wassail

What's your favorite drink ~ alcoholic or non ~ 'round the Holidays?

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