Peach Fizz!

Photo courtesy of CHOW

 

Peach Fizz! Or as some bartenders call them Peach Bellini are great at wedding or pre-wedding events like showers or brunches. And summer time is the perfect time to get great peach taste from those fresh picked peaches. When I first looked at this photo I thought--Peach Beer (well it does look like beer in a champagne glass you have to admit!) but then I read further and found it was Peach Bellini with a lot of fizz. So I promptly renamed them Peach Fizz--because that's what they look like.

 

CHOW, a great foodie site, has a great recipe for them but you can probably find recipes for them on a variety of sites.  Ingredients include fresh peaches, peach liqueur, lemon juice, sparkling wine and sugar as needed. For exact recipe head to CHOW (they have lots of other great ideas for your wedding shower or brunch too!

 

Bellini are the perfect drink to serve your guests at any summer event.

 

 

 

 

 

Start Muddling! Apricot Whiskey Smash!

Apricot Whiskey Smash from CHOW

How rich does this Apricot Whiskey Smash look to you? CHOW sent this to my email and I immediately went to check and see if I had any apricots! Yum! Even without the whiskey this looks good, but for whiskey fans who are looking for a cool summer or spring beverage this looks very promising. Fans of Mojitos and Juleps will likely enjoy this drink as a nice change of page.

Visit CHOW for the exact recipe, but I'll give you some hints: apricots (of course), ice (it is summer after all!) Cointreau, lemon, simple syrup and rye whiskey (oh yes, and a sprig of mint of course!) For exact proportions visit CHOW. They also suggest using peaches and nectarines if you don't have apricots.

This recipe was included in a group of drinks on CHOW under the heading "Summer Fruit Cocktails." A slideshow of fruity drinks perfect for those hot days, and great to serve at a bridal shower or wedding offers you a lot of summery options for your wedding signature drink. But if you like this one? Start muddling!

Skittle Bombs?

Source: a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net via Lisa on Pinterest

Not sure who would want to drink these but they are pretty! Skittle bombs! Take bottles of unflavored vodka and packs of Skittles. Pick a Skittle color and put them all in a bottle. Shake until they dissolve. Freeze to chill before serving. OK, who wants the first taste? Not a Skittle lover...not sure if the vodka would cancel out the flavor of the Skittles or not. What do you think? Is it worth trying?

Lavendar Lemonade with Vodka and Lillet Blanc

Source: designsponge.com via Hollie on Pinterest

This Lavendar Lemonade from Designsponge is not only worth the effort, it is gorgeous to look at and the taste is incredible! I love using lavendar at weddings, use it as garnish in drinks, tie a tiny bouquet at each placesetting, or have your guests toss lavendar instead of confetti (or all of the above).

Lavendar is eco-friendly and smells oh so good!

Recipe below is from Designsponge.  Be sure to visit their site for other great ideas for your wedding.

Not up to making your own lavendar lemonade? Head to your local Wegman's and buy some Adina Organics French Inspired Lavender Lemonade Juice (14 fl oz) ready made, just add some organic lavendar. Not quite as pretty as the above mixture and without the kick, but you can alwasy add those yourself too! Just be sure any lavendar you use is organic, you don't want to ingest pesticides!

Lavendar Lemonade Recipe from Designsponge.com:

INGREDIENTS:

Glass:

1.5oz Vodka (Ciroc seems appropriate but we used a local Pennsylvania vodka)
1.5oz Lillet Blanc
1oz Lavender Syrup (recipe below)
1oz Lemon Juice
2oz Chilled Soda Water
French Lavender Flower for Garnish

OR

Pitcher (makes 4 glasses):

3/4 Cups Vodka
3/4 Cups Lillet Blanc
1/2 Cup Lavender Syrup
1/2 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice
1/4 Cup Chilled Soda Water for each glass
French Lavender Flower for Garnish

Lavender Syrup:
Add equal parts sugar and water to a medium saucepan and bring to boil. Add fresh organic French lavender to taste (or 1/2 cup dried food grade lavender for every 4 cups water/4 cups sugar) and boil for one minute over medium/high heat. Remove from heat and let steep for an hour.
Drink:
Mix first four ingredients with spoon, pour over ice, add chilled soda water and garnish with lavender flower (or lemon wedges if you can’t find fresh organic lavender).

8 Different Ways To Give Your Lemonade A Boost!

Source: ohthelovelythings.blogspot.fr via Audrey on Pinterest

A New Take On Gin and Tonic

Source: thekitchn.com via Audrey on Pinterest

The geniuses at The Kitchn have recommended this rosemary and cucumber gin and tonic! A new combo for me! They recommend Hendrick's splashed in a glass with a few slices of cucumber and the addition of some rosemary to give it an extra kick of flavor. For the recipe go here.

Source: The Kitchn

Be sure to read the comments where there are still more ideas posted by readers of The Kitchn.  It's always key to read the comments, you  never know what great nuggets you'll find there! 

Be sure to spend some time 'paging' through the website, it's filled with great photos and great ideas you are sure to love!

Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. Is Coming To A Wedding Near You!

All Photos courtesy of Jack Rudy Cocktail Company

Jack Rudy Cocktail Company makes an 'Artisan Tonic' in Charleston, South Carolina.  A small batch cocktail syrup is an easy way to add uniqueness to the drinks at your wedding, adding a perfect 'signature' touch.  Perfect for the southern wedding, or one looking for a touch of the tropics.

What's in Jack Rudy Artisan Tonic? It's made from quinine, lemon grass and orange peel in the Company's own secret recipe which gives you a Gin and Tonic with a complexity and layers of flavor.  Add just the right amount of seltzer and you've brought the phrase 'signature drink' to a new level.  You can also make margaritas, daiquiris, gimlets and caipirinhas with a taste twist to startle your guests who never knew you were such an expert mixologist!

The Jack Rudy Tequila Sunset graces this menu (photo courtesy of Jack Rudy Cocktail Co.)

Don't forget, shake their signature apothecary jar with it's letterpress label that will remind you of the historical origins of the first Gin and Tonic and the great tropical cures of the 20th century before you use it.

Visit Jack Rudy's  web site for some great drink recipes that you can enjoy taste testing before the wedding.

Butter Beer? You Put WHAT in Your Beer?

Having a autumn or Thanksgiving wedding? Butter Beer from 15 Romolo is a perfect signature cocktail! What? You've never had Butter Beer? Give it a try this weekend. Serve Butter Beer as your signature drink at your wedding.  It's pumpkin butter gives it a flavor that's perfect for fall weddings. 

Butter Beer is a combination of Black Bottle Scotch, pumpkin butter, hot water, Port Brewing Company's Santa's Little Helper Imperial Stout foam (mix stout with ½ tsp. fruit pectin in whipped-cream canister). Combine Black Bottle scotch and pumpkin butter in a heated mug. Then add hot water, swirl, and top with foam. Recipe and photo courtesy of Daily Candy and 15 Romolo.

A Juice Bar at Your Wedding?

Having an afternoon wedding? Brunch wedding? Or just an alcohol-free wedding? Pretty juices lined up on a juice bar are both decorative and delicious.  Go sleek or a little more ornate, good, fresh juice is the key.

Choose from a variety of juices or smoothies, and don't forget, the presentation is almost as important as taste! A table full of assorted fruits vegetables and special add-ons will give your guests with their own personal Jamba Juice. Serve Orange juice, cranberry juice, grapefruit (either pink or regular), carrot juice, veggie combos, pineapple juice and more!

Then add some pretty straws from Etsy.com or make your own.  Add wedding slogans on the little flags and use straws in your wedding colors or just a pretty accent color. 

Photos: Brilliant Event Planning; The Wedding Bee; Etsy.com

Tequila Anyone?

Tequila lovers take note! This recipe rocks!  Want to use a tequila based signature drink for you wedding? Why not try this refreshing drink from Milagro Tequila. Give your guests a drink that is refreshing but made with quality tequila with a kick! (Recipe and photo courtesy of Milargo Tequila's web site.) For more recipes (and lots of fun taste testing before you narrow it down to just one drink) head to Milagro's web site and browse their recipes.

Martinis, Martinis, Martinis! And More!

What is RumChata® and what can I make with it to use as a signature drink for my wedding? "RumChata® is rum cream made as an authentic replica of the best Horchata you have ever tasted. It is made from scratch using real ingredients - rice, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. This is Real Horchata, not an imitation flavored horchata beverage."

RumChata® Tiramisu Martinis are one option.  This takeoff on the Italian classic of tiramisu flavoring turned into a martini offers your guests a unique flavor combination at your wedding.  The recipe is:

The Tiramisu Martini

2 parts RumChata®
1 part Espresso Vodka

Shake with ice and strain into Martini glass
Sprinkle with Shaved Chocolate (yum!)

You can also use it to make White Russians by using this recipe:

RumChata® White Russian

1 part RumChata®.
1 part Kahlua
1 part vodka

Combine in rocks glass over ice.

Even if you decide not to make these for your wedding signature drink they are a fun addition to any party or event!  Check the RumChata® website for other great drinks made with RumChata®.



Bubbling Red!

Photo courtesy of Korbel Rouge

Korbel Rouge, is a ruby-red of exquisite beauty. It combines pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon grapes resulting in an intense ripe black cherry aroma with just a hint of plum. You'll find it's beautiful and impressive on your table.  This wine goes well with filet, pastas or an more complex meal.  And at approximately $11.99 a bottle this sparkling dry red wine is budget friendly as well.  It's perfect for your wedding day and pre-wedding events like bridal showers, bachelorette parties, or rehearsal dinners.  You'll find Korbel Rouge is one of the most versatile reds available.

Signature Wedding Tea

If you are having a wedding in a park or a venue that doesn't allow you to serve alcohol, or you choose to have an alcohol free wedding, try serving this great tea blend. You can find tins of it available at http://www.harney.com/. Or elect to hand tins of Wedding Tea out as favors to each couple at your wedding. This elegant tea is a special blend created for your special event. Mutan White tea, with a touch of lemon-vanilla to taste, pink rosebuds and petals blended together to please and refresh your guests. Serve iced in a pretty pitcher or larger urn.