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Happy Hour: In-Sandíary

partysugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:00:24 -0700

Remember a month ago when I mentioned my latest obsession was with watermelon juice and tequila? Well the compulsion continues with this cocktail! What makes this drink is the spicy salted rim. It adds a fiery punch that enhances the natural bite of tequila. Be sure to strain the watermelon juice before putting it into the cocktail shaker. This ensures that the final drink is smooth and refreshing. If you're looking for a delicious alternative to the classic lime margarita, definitely give this drink a shake before watermelon season ends. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how well the vibrant pink fruit pairs with tequila. Get the recipe when you read more.

In-Sandíary
From Food & Wine Cocktails 09

Ingredients

Chili Salt
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
Cocktail
1 lime wedge
Ice
2 ounces blanco tequila
2 ounces watermelon juice
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1/4 ounce Simple Syrup

Directions

Make the chile salt: In a small bowl, mix the kosher salt, sugar and ancho chile powder.
Make the cocktail: Moisten the outer rim of a highball glass with the lime wedge and coat lightly with chile salt.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add all of the remaining ingredients and shake well.
Fill the highball glass with ice and strain the drink into the glass.

Makes 1 drink.

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Happy Hour: Watermelon Margarita

partysugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:00:43 -0700

If you haven't used watermelon to make a cool cocktail (or icy popsicle!), I highly recommend you do so soon. Summer is the perfect time for watermelon cocktails because the melons are insanely ripe and deliciously sweet.

While you could use a margarita mix, it doesn't take that long to puree fresh melon in a blender. I prefer my margaritas on the rocks, but if you like yours smooth, feel free to blitz all of the ingredients to make a frozen cocktail.

This was a refreshingly divine cocktail, so get the recipe now and read more.

Watermelon Margarita
From Emeril Lagasse

Ingredients

1 teaspoon lime zest
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons coarse salt
1 lime wedge
1 cup watermelon puree*
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 cup premium 100 percent agave tequila
2 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier or triple sec)
1 cup ice

Directions

In a medium saucepan, combine the lime zest, water, and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat. Cool to room temperature and strain out the zest. Can be made in advance; keep in a covered container in the refrigerator.
Chill a margarita glass in the freezer for 30 minutes. Place the coarse salt in a shallow dish or saucer. Wet the rim of the glass with a lime wedge and dip the glass into the salt, coating the top edge.**
In a cocktail shaker, combine 2 tablespoons of the cooled lime syrup with the watermelon puree, lime juice, tequila, orange-flavored liqueur, and ice. Shake until frothy and well chilled, at least 1 minute. Strain into the prepared glass and garnish with a lime wedge.

Makes 2 drinks.

*To make the watermelon puree, remove seeds from fresh watermelon and cut into large chunks. Place in a blender and process until smooth and well pureed.

**I skipped this step and opted not to salt the rim of my margarita glass.

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Drunken Desserts: Watermelon Margarita Popsicles

YumSugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:15:12 -0700

The news about the effects of watermelon inspired me to create my newest popsicle: watermelon margarita! Served with a small bowl of margarita salt, these uberfrozen margs were tangy and delicious. Beware, the popsicles contain liquor and melt rather quickly. To avoid a melty mess, I froze my platter for an hour before serving. Learn how to make these simple, scrumptious popsicles when you read more!

Watermelon Margarita Popsicles
Original Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups watermelon puree (roughly 1/4 medium size seedless watermelon)
1/4 cup lime juice (roughly 1 large lime)
3 ounces tequila
1 ounce cointreau
2/3 cup sugar

Directions

Chop the watermelon into small pieces. Using a Cuisinart, puree the watermelon. Place the puree in a large mixing bowl.

Add lime juice and sugar to watermelon puree. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Add tequila and cointreau and stir well.

Fill popsicle molds or Dixie cups. If using a dixie cup, cut small squares of tinfoil to cover the top of each of the cups.

Use a sharp small knife and cut small slits in the tops of the tinfoil to insert the popsicle stick.

Place the Dixie cups in a flat bottomed container. Place the popsicles in the freezer and wait patiently until frozen.

Makes 10 3-ounce popsicles.

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Watermelon Margarita Popsicles

YumSugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:55:43 -0700

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Happy Hour: Watermelon-Tequila Cocktails

partysugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:00:45 -0700

Since today is National Tequila Day (cheers!), I thought I'd share my latest obsession with you. While I'm a huge fan of the classic margarita combination of tequila and fresh-squeezed lime juice, it pales in comparison to the delightful pairing that is watermelon juice and tequila. I'm so crazy about this dynamic duo that I've already made three different cocktails with it. The one seen here - my current fav - is a mixture of watermelon, tequila, mint, blueberries, and lime juice. With its sweet, minty flavor, refreshing thirst-quenching quality, and beautiful blushing color, this cocktail is almost perfect. I say almost because it's far too easy to drink. A problem that's quickly solved with a generous float of tequila. To get the party, or the weekend, started, make this drink tonight

In Season: Cherries

YumSugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:50:02 -0700

Watermelon, strawberries, peaches - there are so many fruits that get me jazzed for Summer, but the cherry is my all-time favorite. Whether it's the mild, yellow rainier or the ultrasweet bing, there's something magical about the sensation of biting through the cherry's taut, shiny skin and getting a burst of sweet, slightly tart, juicy flesh. Take advantage of cherries now, because they have a short Summer season that lasts through July. Find out how to best choose - and use - these miniature stone fruits when you read more.

When picking cherries, select fruits that are firm, plump, and without blemishes. Cherries are among the fruits that don't ripen once they've been picked, so choose the darkest ones for the sweetest taste. Don't discount those bright red cherries, however: they make a wonderful tart addition to pies, jams, and drinks.

Admittedly, my favorite way to eat cherries is out of my hand, but nonetheless, I also enjoy making them a regular part of my Summer kitchen in a multitude of ways:

Serve sweet cherries alongside mint, grapes, and peaches in a Summer fruit salad.
Whip up a fast cherry pan sauce for lamb rib chops.
Make cherries the life of the bar with a cherry mojito or a bing cherry margarita.
Transport yourself to the French countryside by baking a classic cherry clafouti.
Cool down for dessert with ice cream sandwiches made with cherry chocolate ice cream and puff pastry.

What are your favorite tips for preparing cherries? Please share them with me below!

Come Party With Me: End Of Summer BBQ - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 09:41:18 -0700

Usually when I plan a party, I base the colors around the invitation. But this week's invite - for an end of summer barbeque - was a hot dog, and I don't want neutral shades to set the tone for a warm weather bash. So I've decided to use a watermelon as my inspiration and create a look with bright green, hot pink, white, and black. Set the tables with white tablecloths and pink floral arrangements in over sized margarita glasses. Watermelon shaped candles are festive and fun. Plate the nacho potato skins on plates stamped with a watermelon print. Serve the white peach margaritas in classic marg glasses and let guests make their own burgers on lime serving platters. Stack green and pink striped linen napkins next to the food to wipe messy condiments off lips. Night falls earlier at this time of year, so hang green paper lanterns from the trees and deck. Use moss green crepe paper to create garlands and line tables. What decorations are you using this weekend? Share your ideas with us below!

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What's Yummy This Week - YumSugar Weekly Recap

YumSugar — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:30:21 -0700

We want to know: What's your most treasured recipe?
Cool off with these watermelon margarita popsicles.
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Get the behind-the-scenes scoop on PartySugar's black-and-white luau.
I rebuilt a deli classic, the reuben.
Did you just make a big move? If so, we've already done the planning for your upcoming housewarming party.
We've also got some helpful hints when cooking for two.
Help me shop for indoor grilling alternatives.
In our latest taste test, we gave the newest licorice on the market a thumbs up.
You may know it's in season, but how well do you really know your tomato?