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Happy Hour: Cuba Libre

partysugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 13:12:16 -0700

Now before you go and wonder why today's happy hour is a regular old rum and coke, let me explain... a cuba libre is not a regular old rum and coke, it's a classic cocktail that could even be considered sophisticated. The drink originated after the Spanish-American War in which the Americans fought to liberate Cuba from Spain's reign (which is kind of ironic bearing in mind the US-Cuban relations in the years to come). The soldiers who were aiding in the fight mixed Cuba's rum with America's coca-cola, topped it with a squirt of lime and saluted to the country's freedom. Cuba Libre in Spanish actually means free Cuba. So the next time you are thinking of ordering a rum and coke, order a cuba libre instead, it's what I always do. To take it to the next level, read more

Cuba Libre
From Drinkalizer

ice cubes
3 ounces rum
1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
Chilled cola
Slice lime

Put ice cubes in a highball glass, add the rum and lime juice, fill with cola and garnish with a slice of lime.

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Come Party With Me: Travel Party - The Look & Music

partysugar — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 06:31:38 -0700

In my opinion, the best part of a travel party is transforming each room to resemble a different country. With a little imagination, it's easy to come up with festive and fun decor.

Mexico: Dress the table with Mexican blankets and hang a Mexican banner in a crisscross pattern along the ceiling. Plate chips and dips in plastic sombrero shaped serving platters. Use bright candles, flowers, and clear glasses for the tequila sunrises. Create a playlist with your favorite Latin stars: Luis Miguel, Mana, and my personal favorite Paulina Rubio.
Japan: Set the scene with red, white, and black decorations. Instead of floral arrangements, place bamboo in small vases filled with black stones. Rest a cherry blossom Japanese shade along one of your walls. Floating candles add a zen and relaxing touch. Search iTunes for some fun Japanese tunes. I recommend Pizzicato 5 and Cornelius.

Russia: Ornate metallic gold decorations with red accents are perfect to create a lux Russian room. Cover furniture with fur throws and arrange flowers in open Russian dolls. For music play Tatu and your other favorite Russian groups.
England: Plaster the ways with images of the Royal family, soccer teams like Manchester United, and a Union Jack banner. Instead of a tablecloth, cover the table with old covers of Hello magazine. If using red, white, and blue decor, be sure to make it British rather than American. Robbie Williams, Anastacia, Joss Stone, The Spice Girls, New Order, Oasis, Elton John and the Beatles should be playing softly in the background.
Cuba: Make posters that say, Abajo Fidel (Down With Fidel) in large block letters and pin to the walls. Wrap Cuba Libre glasses in Cuban flag beads. Allow more musically inclined friends to play the Cuban bongos or turn on a regatton radio station.

Do you have a great decorating or music idea for my travel-themed party? Tell us in the comments below!

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Come Party With Me: Travel Party - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 07:01:39 -0700

Creating a travel party menu was surprisingly super easy! I used popular foods from each country to define what I would make and the same strategy can be applied to the drinks. Each room will have still and sparkling water, plus a drink that relates to the country. Select drinks that highlight a different nation's alcohol and some that appeal to girly gals (sweeter, fruitier) and some that appeal to the tough guys (harder, non-sweet). In the Mexico room offer tequila sunrises. In the Japan room make guests take sake bombs (a shot of sake dropped into a cold glass of Japanese beer and pounded quickly). In the Russian room shake up vodka martinis and in the Cuba room Cuba Libres are an excellent option. Finally gin and tonics made with British gin (Beefeater or Martin Miller's) round out the menu. For the recipes to these classic cocktails from all over the world, read more

Tequila Sunrise
From Victoria Packing

1 ½ oz. tequila
3 oz. orange juice
1 oz. grenadine

Shake the tequila and orange juice together in a glass. Pour into a tall glass filled with ice and add the grenadine; do not stir.

Serves 1.

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Party's Perfect Vodka Martini
From PartySugar (hey I was a bartender!)

2 1/2 oz vodka (recommended grey goose)
1/2 oz dry vermouth
3 green olives on a tooth pick
martini glass, preferably chilled

Fill the martini glass with ice. Carefully pour the vermouth into the glass and set aside.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and the vodka. Shake vigorously for at least 20 seconds. You want ice crystals to form in the vodka.
Carefully pour out the ice being sure to coat the entire glass with vermouth.
Strain vodka into glass and garnish with olives.
Enjoy!

Serves 1.

Warning: it is not highly advised to drink three or more of these potent babies in a short amount of time. Trust me you will only end up with a horrible headache.

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Cuba Libre
From Drinkalizer

ice cubes
3 ounces rum
1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
Chilled cola
Slice lime

Put ice cubes in a highball glass, add the rum and lime juice, fill with cola and garnish with a slice of lime.

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Gin & Tonic
From Food Network

4 to 5 Ice Cubes
3 ounces gin
4 ounces tonic water (recommended: Schweppes)
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
Lime wedge for garnish

Place the ice cubes in a tall, narrow, chilled glass (the cubes should come near the top.)
Add the gin, then the tonic water, then the lime juice, stirring well.
Garnish with lime wedge, and serve immediately.

Serves 1.

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