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Come Party With Me: Halloween Bash - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 08:00:57 -0700

At a blowout bash, like the costume party I am hosting this Saturday where the guest list tops 50, it's important to get a large amount of alcohol. I'll be buying a keg of easy-to-drink beer - Miller or Bud Light - that both guys and gals can enjoy.

Along with the beer, I'll serve a friend's recipe for deliciously dangerous punch that tastes so good you can hardly tell it's alcoholic. When my guests ask me what they can bring to the party, I'm suggesting they bring one of the alcohols used to make the punch. Lots of water and ice are also necessary to ward off evil hangovers. To ensure that the party flows smoothly, the keg and punch will be set up in different rooms.

For my tips on purchasing kegs and to get the recipe for the dangerously delicious punch, read more

Dangerously Delicious Punch
From Melicious

1 bottle white rum
1 bottle Southern Comfort
1 bag frozen mixed berries
1/2 liter bottle Sprite
6 small cans pineapple juice
Ice

Place all of the liquids in the fridge for several hours to chill.
Fill a large punch bowl with the rum, Southern Comfort, and berries. Let mixture sit for ten minutes (and up to two hours, chilled) to allow flavors to meld and the berries to infuse the alcohol.
Add the juice and sprite and ice. Stir to combine and serve.

Makes one punch bowl.

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If you have never ordered or purchased a keg before, here are some helpful tips:

Locate a liquor store, beer store, or brewery near you that sells kegs and see what they have in stock.
Order yours at least three days before your event to ensure that you can pick it up the day of the party.

Kegs come in different sizes, so figure out how much beer you need. A pony keg (half keg) is 7.5 gallons and serves 27 people three 12-ounce servings. A full keg is 15.5 gallons and serves 55 people three 12-ounce servings.
Some stores deliver, but be sure to ask when you call to order your keg. If you do have to pick it up, make arrangements to have some heavy-lifters come with you.
Don't forget to bring your ID and money for a deposit when you pay for the keg.

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Come Party With Me: Mardi Gras Bash - Drinks

partysugar — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 06:58:53 -0800

Fat Tuesday, the biggest night of the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, is less than a week away. To honor the day I'm going all out and hosting a blowout bash. I made a whole bunch of mask invites and sent them to everyone I know. I researched Mardi Gras foods and will be making three savory appetizers and two sweet appetizers. This isn't the type of party that you would bring your mom to, there is going to be drinking, dancing, and whatever else happens... Wow, I'm getting ahead of myself, it's not party time yet and I still haven't told you about the drinks I'm serving. It has to be cocktails to fill a crowd and to see what I have up my sleeve, read more

Hurricane but you can call me sluricane... remember that song? The Click was talking about a cocktail, the Hurricane that originated in New Orleans. It's a delicious, dangerous drink that tastes like fruit punch. The Hurricane was invented during World War II at Pat O'Brien's bar in New Orleans and was named after the shape of a hurricane lamp. Pat O'Brien's bar is still open today in New Orleans' famous French Quarter and sells their original Hurricane cocktail mix at the bar. While I won't be able to get to Pat O'Brien's bar, I will be able to "transport" my guests and self there by making a giant batch of Pat's Hurricanes. The original recipe calls for passion fruit juice but I like to make my version with pineapple juice.

For the guys and gals who don't drink hard liquor, I'll get a keg of beer. If you have never ordered or purchased a keg before, here are some helpful tips:

Locate a liquor store, beer store, or brewery near you that sells kegs and see what they have in stock.
Order yours at least three days before your event to ensure that you can pick it up the day of the party.
Kegs come in different sizes, so figure out how much beer you need.

A pony keg (half keg) is 7.5 gallons and serves 27 people three 12-ounce servings.
A full keg is 15.5 gallons and serves 55 people three 12-ounce servings.
Some stores deliver, but be sure to ask when you call to order your keg. If you do have to pick it up, make arrangements to have some heavy-lifters come with you.
Don't forget to bring your ID and money for a deposit when you pay for the keg.

I'll also be sure to have plenty of water and light colored sodas for those who prefer not to partake in the debauchery. If guests offer to bring something to enhance the party I'll tell them to please bring a bottle of champagne.

What drinks would you serve at a Mardi Gras blowout bash? Tell me about it below! Be sure to check back tomorrow when I'll be talking about The Look of this party.

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Come Party With Me: All Hallow's Eve - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:00:46 -0700

It's T minus two days until your big Halloween party! Since nobody wants to spend the entire night mixing cocktails, serve a punch. It's quenches the thirst of a crowd and is easy to make. All you have to do is dump the ingredients into a cauldron and stir. This potent concoction is a mixture of passion fruit vodka, cranberry juice, ginger ale, and sparkling apple cider. To achieve a smoldering affect, you'll have to get your hands on dry ice, but if you don't have time to seek it out, the punch is still enjoyable without the smoke. Also, stock up on beer or order a keg. To check out the apple punch recipe, read more.

Wicked Witch Apple Punch
From Skky

Ingredients

1 750 ml bottle Skyy Infusions Passion Fruit
1 750 ml bottle sparkling apple cider
1 64 oz. bottle cranberry juice cocktail
1 Liter ginger ale
2 cups pineapple juice
Red apple slices

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a large black witch’s cauldron with ice and stir.
Garnish with large slices of red apple floating on top and if desired, dry ice.

Serves 12-14.

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Come Party With Me: Super Bowl - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:30:16 -0800

When I think of the Super Bowl one drink comes to mind: beer. If you have a large crowd coming, consider getting a keg of your favorite beer. A keg should be ordered several days in advance and picked up the morning of the game. If your group is small, stock up on an assortment of brews and plenty of ice. To get the party going, make Jell-O shots. When guests arrive hand them a gourmet, mojito-flavored Jell-O shot. Instead of using the classic powder to make the shot, this recipe calls for gelatin, rum, and simple syrup. Start making the shots several hours before the game as they'll need time to set. Sound fun? Get the recipe when you read more.

Mojito Jell-O Shots with White Rum and Fresh Mint
From Food and Wine

Ingredients

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons plus 3/4 teaspoon powdered unflavored gelatin (from 3 envelopes)
1 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup lightly packed mint leaves
1 cup white rum

Directions

In a small saucepan, cook the water with the sugar over moderate heat until the water is simmering and the sugar dissolves, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle the gelatin over the sugar syrup and whisk constantly over low heat until the gelatin has dissolved, about 1 minute.
Put the lime juice and mint leaves in a medium heatproof bowl and pour in the sugar syrup. Let steep for 15 minutes.
Stir in the rum. Strain the mojito mixture into a large measuring cup, pressing on the mint leaves with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible.
Arrange 30 small paper cups on a rimmed baking sheet. Carefully pour the mojito Jell-O mixture into the paper cups and refrigerate the shots until they are chilled, about 3 hours. Serve cold.

Serves 10.

Make Ahead: The Jell-O shots can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days.

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Come Party With Me: Hoedown - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:30:33 -0700

A lot of manly men will be attending my hoedown so I've decided to get a keg of beer. When selecting a keg, choose a versatile, easy-to-drink beer that's neither high- or lowbrow. I've ordered a keg of Lagunitas, an IPA native to my hometown.

For the ladies, offer a spicy rum punch. Made with a spiced sugar syrup, rum, and fresh lemon and orange juices, this punch is refreshing and potent.

Of course, water, soda, and wine are always good to have on hand at any event, so stock up on those as well. Get the punch recipe when you read more.

Spiced Winter Punch
From Bon Appétit

Ingredients

1 1/2 3- to 4-inch-long cinnamon sticks
2 whole nutmegs
1 1/2 tablespoons whole allspice berries
1/3 cup sugar
2 cups Simple Syrup
2 1/4 cups Charbay Rum or 10 Cane Rum
1 1/4 cups fresh lemon juice
1 1/4 cups fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon Fee Brothers Peach Bitters or other bitters
1 block of ice
Lemon and orange slices

Directions

Place cinnamon and nutmeg in resealable plastic bag; crack into pieces using mallet or rolling pin.
Transfer to spice grinder. Add allspice; blend to coarse powder.
Transfer 1 tablespoon to shallow dish; mix in 1/3 cup sugar. Set spiced sugar aside.
Stir remaining spice powder in medium saucepan over medium-high heat until just beginning to smoke, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cool 5 minutes. Repeat heating and cooling process 3 more times until spices are very fragrant but not burned.
Add syrup; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes. Strain through sieve into bowl. Cool.
Mix 3/4 cup spice syrup, rum, lemon juice, orange juice, and bitters in punch bowl. Add ice and citrus slices. Rub 1 orange slice around rim of 8 glasses to moisten; dip glasses into spiced sugar. Place glasses around punchbowl.

Serves 8.

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Come Party With Me: Hoedown - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:15:14 -0700

If you're lucky enough to have access to a barn, host the hoedown inside. Open the doors and place a long table covered with a red bandanna-print tablecloth in the middle of the space. Set the table with blue bandanna-print napkins and divided plastic plates. Serve the food buffet-style on another table. Plate the brisket on a large white serving platter and spoon the beans into a matching white bowl. Outside of the barn, light a fire in a fire pit. Create a circular seating area around the pit with bales of hay. Place the keg and punch nearby under a tree. Stack etch-it cups next to the keg and have guests label the cups with their name. A bouquet with Fall's beautiful colors adds a touch of elegance to this rustic soirée.

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Come Party With Me: Mardi Gras Bash - The Look

partysugar — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 06:59:12 -0800

Now that Valentine's Day is officially over I can turn 100% of my attention towards making my Mardi Gras blowout bash a memorable, fun, fantastic, and talked about party. I've already put time and energy into the planning stages of the event: on Monday I made and sent invitations in the shape of a Mardi Gras mask, on Tuesday I created a snack-able menu, and yesterday I decided to serve Hurricanes and beer (I'm getting a keg!). Whenever I am hosting a party, I take it one day at a time and organize a different aspect of the fiesta each day. This process allows me to get everything done without getting super overwhelmed or overly stressed out. Today I'm focusing on the Look of my party. The official colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold and they represent the symbols of justice, faith, and power, respectively. These three colors will be the foundation of my look, for the details, read more

Start by taking a quick walk around your house to decide where you will set up the party. You will want a large open space for dancing, clusters of chairs for chatting, food stations for snacking, and a bar station for the keg and cocktails.
Set up the keg in the kitchen along with the crab dip and chips. Place the mixed drinks at the bar with a plate of bacon wrapped shrimp. The rest of the food can be positioned around the room either on one big buffet table (dressed with a beautiful gold sparkle-y tablecloth) or on several smaller tables.

Remove any personal belongings that have high sentimental value, are expensive, or antique collectors items. You do not want these important pieces of your life getting broken, destroyed, or stolen at your party. Put them in a safe place - as far away from the event space as possible - where you know they will be free from harm.
Rearrange furniture or tables to create more room for your guests and the happenings of the bash. At a big party where guests might bring friends who you do not know, the emptier and cleaner the house the better.
If you have access to Mardi Gras masks (I know I have a few in my Halloween costume bins in the garage) take these out and use as decoration. Place on the tables next to the food or wear one to greet your guests when they arrive at the door.

Lighting should be dim but be careful when you light all of your candles. No candle should be in a precarious position where a drunk guest could knock it over. Never leave lit candles in a room unattended.
Surround the dance floor with a soft glow using a few strands of colored Christmas lights in either all white, green, or purple.
Check out your local party supply store to see if they have any fun metallic hanging decorations especially for Mardi Gras.
Line your curtains with purple and green strips by running paper streamers, metallic ribbons, or satin ribbon down the length of the curtain. Hang with push pins to the top of your curtains, alternating between purple and green.
Wrap streamers or ribbons around your banisters for a jester effect.

Place a whole bunch of Mardi Gras beaded necklaces in a big silver bowl near the front door. As a guest arrives, encircle a necklace or two around his or her neck.
Sprinkle Mardi Gras confetti and purple, green, and gold glitter on all of the tables and in your hair.
Fill vases with purple flowers and green stems.
If you have indoor plants hang Mardi Gras beads on the branches.

Did I forget something when describing the look of the party? Tell me your Mardi Gras decorating ideas below. Now that the look is done, all I have to do is figure out what music will be playing at the party. Check back tomorrow to find out.

Come Party With Me: Welcome Back - Drinks

partysugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 06:01:18 -0700

Know someone who is coming back from a stint away? Host a welcome back in their honor! I'll be doing that for the return of my dear friend Melissa with a San Francisco themed cocktail party. Melissa has created a guestlist, and I made/sent the invitations through email. The soiree will be at my home and all of the food will be local, fresh ingredients that highlight the SF Bay Area's most delicious dishes. Wine country will serve as the inspiration for the drinks, but if you think I'm taking the easy way out by pouring bottles of wine, think again! I'll be offering two types of sangria the classic red and a refreshing white wine version (known as clerico). Even if you are not hosting a welcome back party, your summer will not be complete without these sangria recipes so, read more

Along with the sangria, I'll serve beer, sparkling water, iced tea, and plain water flavored with cucumber and mint. I'm ordering a pony keg (a smaller half sized keg) of Lagunitas pilsner because the brewery is located in our hometown and makes a satisfying, frothy beer that will totally please the beer drinkers in attendance.

Sangria
Recipe courtesy of David, a Spanish barman at a random bar in the Juderia in Cordoba, Spain

2 bottles +2 cups of inexpensive red wine (ex. Charles Shaw from Trader Joe's)
5 cans Pellegrino Limonata - If you can't find Pellegrino Limonata you could make it with fresca or squirt. One time I even used sparkling water. In Spain they use Fanta Limon and in my opinion the best substitute is the Pellegrino Limonata.
2 1/2 cups Dark Rum
1 cup Cointreau (or Triple Sec)
1/2 cup Apple Schnapps (I have substituted peach and that's good too)
4 tsp sugar
Ice
Chopped fruit, such as apples, oranges, lemons-use what's in season
Cinnamon Sticks

Fill a large pitcher or punch bowl 2/3 full with ice. Add wine and Pellegrino Limonata.
Add in liquors, fruit, sugar, and cinnamon sticks. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon.
Test taste. If not sweet enough add another tablespoon of sugar. If it tastes too much like liquor add more Pellegrino Limonata. If it is too sweet add more wine.

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Clerico
From Drinks Mixer

2 liters white wine
3 bananas
1 apple
1 orange
6 strawberries
1/2 lb grapes
1/2 lb sugar

Remove the skin of all the fruits and cut the fruit into small pieces. Put the fruit in a large bowl or pitcher and cover the fruit with the sugar.
Pour enough wine to cover the fruit and sugar and place bowl in the fridge. Leave it for at least 2 hours and or all day (longer preferred), and then mix it with the rest of the wine.
Serve each drink with some fruit in the glass.

Makes 1 pitcher.

If desired top with 8 ounces seltzer or lemon-lime soda.

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Beer Pong Ice Rack: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 05:30:08 -0700

Over the weekend, I found myself at a backyard barbecue that celebrated the Union Street Fair. The highlight of the party was a raging Beer Pong tournament. Although I didn't play, I watched a couple of rounds of the rowdy drinking game. That's why I couldn't help but laugh when I came across this beer pong freezer set. The triangular plastic rack - that holds ten keg glasses - can be filled with water and placed in the freezer. The ice cold plastic will ensure that the beer stays cold.

Am I the only one who thinks this is crazy hysterical? What do you think of it?

Come Party With Me: Ugly Sweater - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 12:45:11 -0800

It's safe to say that a lot of alcohol will be consumed at your Ugly Sweater party. It's a shindig that starts later in the night, so guests will be excited and in the mood. When they arrive, offer them a cheesy cocktail or a scrumptious shot. Sandra Lee's Glacer-tini is bright green and sophisticatedly trashy, while a Slippery Santa shot is deliciously dark and potent.

Have plenty of beer and wine on hand. Expecting a large crowd? Splurge on a keg. Champagne and sparkling apple cider are festive crowd pleasers, so stock up on a few bottles. Sparkling and still water are a must.

For the holiday-themed cocktail recipes, read more.

Glacer-tini
From Sandra Lee

Ice cubes
1 part vanilla liqueur (recommended: Liqueur 43)
2 parts blue-colored tropical fruit liqueur (recommended: Hpnotiq)
Lemon-lime soda
1 rock candy swizzle stick

In a glass pitcher or cocktail shaker filled with ice, add vanilla liqueur, tropical fruit liqueur, and top with lemon-lime soda.
Stir and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a clear rock candy swizzle stick and serve.

Serves 1.

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Slippery Santa
From Cocktail Times

1 oz Blavod Black Vodka
1/2 oz oz Cinnamon schnapps
Whipped cream
Garnish: Maraschino cherry

Pour vodka and cinnamon schnapps in a shot glass and top with whipped cream and garnish with a maraschino cherry (or a red hot candy).

Serves 1.

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