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Come Party With Me: Cinco de Mayo - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:50:10 -0700

When one hears the words, Cinco de Mayo, Mexican beer, and classic margaritas come to mind. However, why not shake things up and surprise guests with a different cocktail?

The agave negro combines tequila, lime juice, and blackberries to create a cocktail that is as refreshing as it is beautiful. A splash of Chambord provides the blush color and club soda adds a touch of fizz. To check out the recipe, read more.

Agave Negro
From Food & Wine

Ingredients

2 blackberries, plus 1 blackberry and 1 lime wheel skewered on a pick
1 cup ice
1 1/2 ounces reposado tequila
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
3/4 ounce Simple Syrup
1/2 ounce Chambord
1 ounce chilled club soda

Directions

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the 2 blackberries.
Add the ice, tequila, lime juice, Simple Syrup, and Chambord. Shake well and pour into a rocks glass.
Stir in the club soda and garnish with the skewered blackberry and lime wheel.

Makes 1 drink.

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Happy Hour: Jim's Diablo

partysugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:00:17 -0700

When I heard the name of this cocktail, I assumed it would be a devilish drink that was either too spicy or super strong. I was pleasantly surprised when it was neither hot or potent, but rather a delightfully well-balanced, tasty cocktail.

Despite its blushing color, this mix of tequila, Canton, and lemon juice is not a typically girlie, sweet concoction.

Created by one of New York's top mixologists, Jim Meehan, the diablo is simple to make at home. Take the time to chill the glasses before hand, it will make a better drink.

The recipe calls for creme de cassis, but I made mine with Chambord, because that's what was in my liquor cabinet. To check out Jim's Diablo, read more.

Jim’s Diablo
From Jim Meehan

Ingredients

2 ounces Tequila (recommended: Gran Centenario Plata)
.75 ounce fresh lemon juice
.75 ounce Canton ginger liqueur
.25 ounce Crème de Cassis
lemon wheels, optional for garnish

Directions

Place a Champagne glass in the freezer. Chill.
Fill a cocktail shaker with the tequila, lemon juice, Canton, and Creme de Cassis. Add ice.
Shake well and strain into the chilled coupe.
Garnish with a thinly sliced lemon wheel

Makes 1 drink.

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Come Party With Me Movie Night - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:28:39 -0800

Deciding what drinks to serve at my French-themed Movie Night was surprisingly trés facile! Besides sparkling and still water, I'll pour one signature cocktail and offer guests a tasting of French wines.

A French martini, made with pineapple juice and chambord, will be served with the baked brie appetizer.

A rich, buttery Chardonnay pairs nicely with the shrimp bisque. With the bacon-wrapped chicken breasts pour a lighter, fruity red like a Pinot Noir. After the movie, finish the night with a glass of champagne and the chocolate soufflé.

For French martini recipe, read more.

French Martini
From David Lawrence

2 ounces of good vodka
1 ounce of Chambord (raspberry liqueur)
4 ounces of pineapple juice

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker, tumble in a handful of ice, and shake vigorously.
Strain into a frosted martini glass.

Serves one.

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Happy Hour: Santa's Martini

partysugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 13:13:31 -0800

My little sister is moving home today. I am so excited that she will be back in my life, that I have been running around getting everything ready. To properly welcome her back, I've picked up the ingredients to make this delicious holiday cocktail. Santa's Martini is a vibrant, red drink made with Chambord, pomegranate-blueberry juice, and fresh lime juice. It's also perfect for toasting in front of the Christmas tree! For the recipe, read more

Santa’s Martini
From Strip House restaurant

2 ½ oz. Vodka
¾ oz. Chambord
½ oz. fresh lime juice
1 oz. pomegranate blueberry juice
3 oz. (approx.) Champagne
Garnish with lemon twist/blueberry spiral

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, Chambord, and juices.
Shake vigrously.
Strain into a martini glass and float the Champagne on top. Enjoy!

Serves 1.

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Happy Hour: Chambord Walk

partysugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 12:08:11 -0700

For those of us unable to attend the glamorous parties at New York's Fashion Week, we'll have to settle for one of the season's most coveted cocktails instead! Chambord, the yummy French raspberry liquor is the official liquor of Fashion Week. A variety of cocktails made with the spirit are being served in the tents at Bryant Park and this recipe for the rosy hued Chambord Walk makes me want to strut to my bar and whip one up immediately. Just think, Gisele could be sipping on a Chambord Walk as I write this! To sip this fashionable cocktail in the comfort of your own kitchen, get the recipe, just read more

Chambord Walk

2 oz vodka
1 ounce Chambord
Club Soda

Shake first two ingredients with ice and strain into ice-filled rocks
glass.
Top with a splash of soda and garnish with a lemon wedge.

Serves 1.

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Come Party With Me: Easter - Drinks

partysugar — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 05:51:32 -0700

Easter is this Sunday and naturally I am busy as a bunny prepping for a feast with my family. Easter is a wonderful holiday because you get to celebrate the refreshing beauty that is spring. Symbols of rebirth - crisp greens, sunny yellows, fresh herbs, blooming flowers, round eggs - will be the underlying theme of this weekend's party. Dainty Easter eggs inspired the invitations and I've come up with 2(!) delicious menus for a fabulous meal. Unlike Thanksgiving when everyone celebrates with a dinner, Easter is a holiday that is either celebrated with a brunch or a dinner - so in an attempt to really help each and every one of my readers, I've planned both. In PartySugarLand you can't have any sort of gathering without specialty cocktails so I've come up with drinks to pair with each of the menus as well. To take a virtual sip, read more

For the brunch: If you have access to an espresso machine, use it! Offer guests cappuccinos, americanos, or espressos. Fresh squeezed orange juice is another must, if you don't have a juicer get a nicer quality pulpy OJ such as Odwalla. Water, sparkling and still, is a must. Mimosas are a classic brunch cocktail but Blood Orange Bellinis are an elegant alternative especially if you make them with fresh squeezed blood orange juice. Harvey Wallbangers are a more festive choice than the regular old screwdriver. However if you want to make a new, unique cocktail specifically for the brunch try a sparkling combination of white wine and chambord in the form of a chambord spritzer.

Chambord Spritzer
From Gourmet magazine

1 ounce Chambord (black raspberry-flavored liqueur)
1 1/2 ounces white wine
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Chilled seltzer or club soda
A twist of lemon peel for garnish

In a tall glass combine the Chambord, the wine, the lemon juice, and 4 ice cubes.
Fill the glass with the seltzer and stir the drink. Garnish it with the lemon peel.

Serves 1.

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For the dinner: At Easter dinner you must offer several bottles of wine. A rosé will complement the rosy pinkness of the ham because it has the refreshing crispness of a white wine, as well as the medium body of a dry red wine. For those whose hearts are set on pouring a red choose a cru Beaujolais, a varietal that I've heard a lot about lately whose rich complexity will pair nicely with the ginger ale glazed ham. Other options include Pinot Noir or Burgundy or a Chenin Blanc if you are looking for a white wine. Water, both sparkling and still, should flow freely from large pitchers strategically placed around the dining table. Fresh grapefruit juice mixed with your favorite lemon lime soda and a splash of lime juice makes a nice non-alcoholic option. Offer one specialty cocktail as an after dinner dessert drink. An Easter Bunny is a tasty vodka-chocolate-cherry combination that will be the finish to a wonderful evening.

Easter Bunny
From Drinks Mixer

1 1/2 oz dark creme de cacao
1/2 oz vodka
1 tsp chocolate syrup
1 tsp cherry brandy

Shake creme de cacao and vodka with ice.
Strain over ice in an old-fashioned glass.
Float chocolate syrup and cherry brandy.

Serves 1.

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What will you be pouring at your Easter celebration? Let me know your amazing ideas below!

Come Party With Me: Harvest Party - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:00:48 -0700

During the main meal at my harvest-themed dinner party, I'll pair the chicken and risotto with wine. However, before we sit down to the table, I want to treat guests to a luxurious champagne cocktail.

Since a punch easily quenches the thirst of a crowd, I'll be mixing a large bowl of classic champagne punch. The cocktail gets its rosy hue from chambord, a raspberry-flavored liquor.

With the poached pear dessert, I'll let guests sip a sweet late harvest wine. To check out the recipe I'll be using for the punch, keep reading.

PartySugar's Top 10 Moments Found in Aspen

partysugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:00:57 -0700

It's hard to say good-bye to a long weekend of fabulous food and wonderful wine. However, the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen ended last Sunday and until next June, I won't come into contact with any festival as fantastic. To commemorate the occasion, I've rounded up my top 10 favorite Aspen moments. From complex sushi rolls to French piña coladas, check out my list below and click though for all the magnificent photos.

Chatting with Gail Simmons at the CIA awards dinner
We hadn't seen Gail since her last visit to San Francisco, so it was great to catch up with her at this event. Topics of conversation: the location of Top Chef Season 5 (New York City!) and her upcoming nuptials.
Gerard Craft's chicken liver terrine at the Best New Chefs Dinner
This delicious bite was insanely balanced: rich, crunchy, sweet, and salty.
Chatting with Rocco DiSpirito at the David Chang party
After I interviewed him, Rocco and I spoke later that evening over lettuce wraps and pork buns. We both agreed living alone in a big city is expensive!
Toni Abou-Ganim's party punches and sangria class
Learning how to make party drinks from a master was informative and entertaining. I caught his attention when I was the only one in the audience who knew grenadine is made from pomegranates instead of cherries!
Getting ham from Jose Andres
During his demo, I answered all of Chef Andres' questions correctly (little did he know I lived in Spain for two years!). He rewarded me with a piece of fresh sliced jamon.

To discover what else made my list, plus a gallery of images, just read more.

Sunning with sparkling rosé outside the tents
I enjoyed the Spanish sparkling rosé so much I asked the girl to pour me an entire glass, so I could sip in the sun.
Watching Morimoto make sushi
During his demo, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto made a complex, multistep sushi roll. The roll was so geometric it looked more like a piece of art than food.
The after-pool party at the Sky Hotel
After Sunday's final grand tasting everyone whose anyone headed to the after party at the pool at the Sky hotel. I sipped cocktails made by the Modern Mixologist and got cozy with Hung Huynh's sous chef Kenny.
Puerto Rican pork and piña coladas
The Puerto Ricans made an insanely refreshing French piña colada that paired perfectly with their fresh-cut pork. Chambord was swirled into the classic colada giving it a chic presentation and sophisticated flavor.
Bobby Flay's uberentertaining demo
Learning how to make burgers from one of America's most loved chefs was something I will never forget.

View 22 Photos ›

Come Party WIth Me: Golden Globes Viewing - Music and More

partysugar — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 06:53:19 -0800

My Golden Globes Viewing party is just three short days away. I'm so excited I feel as though I really am attending the show! Things have come together quite nicely, my girlfriend's have already received their invites, the menu and drinks are planned, and the decorations are in order. I'm ready to party, but there is one tiny aspect left, the music.

Since this party revolves around watching a show on TV, music is not super important. Instead of fretting about the music, make arrangements to view the show on your largest and best television. There needs to be comfortable seating for all of your guests and maybe a blanket or two in case the girls want to curl up after dinner.

This party doesn't need a playlist, it needs a grocery list and I've put one together for us. If you plan on hosting my Golden Globe party, be sure to check out the grocery list. read more

Golden Globe Viewings Grocery List

red pepper (2)
celery (3 stalks)
red onion
parsley
onion
carrot
medium sized boiling potato
broccoli
lemons (10)
garlic
2 lb white button mushrooms
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 head romaine lettuce
avocado
1/2 cup kalamata black olives

heavy whipping cream
5 oz cream cheese
1/2 pound sharp cheddar cheese
Parmesan
eggs
butter
mustard
mayonnaise
Worcestershire sauce
cayenne pepper
dried basil
dried oregano
extra virgin olive oil
balsamic vinegar

baguette
rye bread

1/4 pound crab meat

chicken stock (1 can)

white wine (Sauvignon Blanc)
Chilean red
sparkling water
vodka
chambord
pineapple juice

flour
powdered sugar
granulated sugar