New Years Eve will be upon us soon! Why not create a great signature cocktail for your party? Wow your guests with something unique and d’lish!
The following are a few of my cocktail party tips for the holidays:
Consider serving one very special signature drink – and pre-mix it in large batches.
Put it in pretty bottles or in a pitcher and then all you have to do is shake it up. This keeps your cocktail precision perfect!
Serve 1 red wine, 1 sparkling or champagne and one signature cocktail – keep it simple! You don’t want to have to be tending bar all night.
Keep your signature drink in-season. Here are some great recipes for any winter party:
Holiday Spiced Pomegranate Fizz
Makes 1 drink
3/4 ounce spiced rum
3/4 ounce raspberry vodka
3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice + 3/4 ounce simple syrup*
OR 1 1/2 oz Dish D’Lish Lemon & Lime Cocktailor**
3/4 oz pomegranate juice
tiny splash (about 1/2 ounce) chilled soda water
Garnish: freshly grated nutmeg & orange zest
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Measure in the rum, raspberry vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup and pomegranate juice. Cap and shake vigorously, then strain into a martini glass. Add a tiny splash of soda water. Do a very light grating of nutmeg over the top of the drink and drop in the orange zest.
*To make simple syrup: Combine equal parts sugar and water and bring to a quick boil. Cool, bottle, and refrigerate until needed.
** Available at Metropolitan Markets, Dish D’Lish Ballard or at www.kathycasey.com
© 2008 by Kathy Casey Food Studios
Winter White Spiced Wine
Serves 8
2 bottles light, dry white wine such as a chenin blanc
1 small pear, cut crosswise in 1/4-inch slices
1 small apple, cut crosswise in 1/4-inch slices
1 small orange or tangerine, poked with 12 whole cloves, then cut in 1/4-inch slices
5 allspice berries
1 cinnamon stick , broken in half
6 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup Grand Marnier
Place all the ingredients in a stainless steel or glass pan and stir well to incorporate the brown sugar. Place over low heat and warm. Do not boil! Let flavors steep for at least 30 minutes before serving.
At this point you can keep warm and serve, or chill and warm each portion in a microwave until just hot but not boiling. Garnish with an orange peel twist. (Another great way to keep it warm is in a slow cooker set on low.)
© 2008 by Kathy Casey Food Studios
