Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Plantable Favors

Just discovered these great plantable favors on the Paper Source Blog. These could be used for both decorations at your next event and as a take-home favor for your guests. And bonus, Paper Source sells take-out containers (used for this project) that are made from recycled materials. They come in 8 great colors and prices start at just .40 a piece.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Fresh, Cool Cocktails for Summer

June is here, and summer is almost upon us. Although, we have to admit that we've been in a summer state of mind for quite some time now. When we think of summer, two things come to mind: cool cocktails and watermelon. What better way to kick off warmer weather than by combining the two?!

We've poured over cookbooks, perused websites and finally compiled our four favorite watermelon cocktails. Here they are, in no particular order. Drumroll, please . . . .


Watermelon Punch (from InStyle.com)


Ingredients:
6 cups watermelon juice (puree seedless watermelon)
3 oz frozen lemonade
6 cups vodka
1 liter club soda




Directions:
Combine first three ingredients and chill overnight. Add the club soda just before serving. Float small watermelon wedges and lime slices in the punch bowl. For an added touch, freeze balled watermelon and float in the punch to keep it cool without watering it down with conventional ice.




Watermelon Margarita (from drinksmixer.com)


Ingredients:
2 cups watermelon juice (puree fresh seedless watermelon)
juice of 1/2 lime
6 oz gold tequila
3 oz triple sec
1 tbsp sugar




Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Add 1 cup of ice and blend again. Coat the rim of a glass with sugar by dipping it onto a saucer with lime juice and then into a saucer with sugar. Pour margarita into the glass and garnish with a small wedge of watermelon.




The Watermelon Wave (from Cocktail Times)


Ingredients:
4 oz tequila
3 oz orange liqueur
3 oz marischino liqueur
20 oz watermelon juice (puree seedless watermelon)
2 oz pomegranate juice
2 oz lemon juice




Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir. Strain into glasses and garnish with watermelon wedges or balled melon on a toothpick.




Watermelon Martini (from About.com)

Ingredients:
1 cup watermelon juice (puree seedless watermelon)
1/2 cup vodka
1/2 cup simple syrup
juice of 1 lime
3 tbsp salt
3 tbsp sugar




Directions:
Wet the rim of the martini glass with a piece of watermelon and dip the rim into the sugar/salt mixture. Combine the remaining ingredients in a shaker and add ice. Shake to mix/chill. Strain into the martini glass. Garnish with a watermelon wedge.
And there you have it, our 4 favorite watermelon cocktails of the season. Have fun trying these out at home or serving them up at your next big summertime event! And for the really brave, why not make a drink dispenser out of a watermelon?