'Tis the Season for Great Cocktail Party Celebrations
Nothing brings out the festive mood of the holidays like a fitting theme party. Eggnog and hot cocoa toddies at Christmas bring out the merriment in nearly everyone. When autumn rolls around, there are all kinds of ghastly looking but delicious drinks and snacks that make Halloween costume parties all the rage. So why wait until the holidays roll around to celebrate`
Winter Beach Party
Throw a beach party in January or February after the holiday season winds down. This could be just the thing to buoy your friends' and family's spirits to get them through the winter. Bring in sun lamps, island rhythms, grilled food, and tropical fruits. And don't forget the essential beach cocktails like daiquiris, pina coladas, margaritas, and mai-tais. Having plenty of pitchers of these ready to go before the party begins will make preparation easy.
Strawberry Daiquiri
12 ounces fresh or frozen strawberries
8 ounces ice
2 ounces sweet and sour mix
4 ounces spiced rum
3/4 ounce of grenadine cherry syrup
1 kiwi slice
Combine ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Garnish with kiwi.
Makes 4 daiquiris.
Christmas in July
On the flipside, you can always throw a Christmas or Winter Wonderland party in the middle of summer. Dish up snow cones and frozen drinks to get your guest to chill out. Crank up the A/C if you plan to party indoors or go outside and revel in the heat. The temperature won't matter if you've got the right music, decorations, hors d'oeuvres, and cocktails. Since eggnog might be tough to find in the stores, you can always make your own and serve it up in a punch bowl or pitchers. Don't forget a gift exchange and plenty of holiday toasting.
Yuletide Eggnog
6 eggs
1 1/4 cup spiced rum
1 3/4 cups sweetened condensed milk (one 14oz. can)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups whole milk or buttermilk
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pinch salt
Beat eggs. Mix in rum, condensed milk, whole milk, and salt. Beat heavy cream until it thickens and add to liquid mixture. Sprinkle nutmeg over the top and serve chilled or over ice.
Makes 10-12 servings.
When in Rome
The ancient Romans had more holidays than non-holidays. Some historians suggest this excessive festivity brought about the fall of the Empire, but no one says the Romans didn't throw a great party. Maybe the modern day social critics are right when they say we work too much. Perhaps we should take a lesson from the ancient Romans and take a little more time to enjoy life.
It doesn't need to be Halloween or Mardi Gras for a masquerade. In the past, masquerades were held throughout the year. There's no need to wait for a specific day to break out a great costume. Pick a theme for your costume party (it doesn't have to be scary). Serve up a mystery drink that fits the theme and let your guests try to figure out what's in it. This will add to the fun and the intrigue of the event.
Be creative. There is never a bad reason for getting together with friends. This way you'll get the most out of all your great barware and you'll always have a reason to celebrate.
