The New Iced Tea

Iced Tea Liqueur?

Sweet Tea with a kick has become a mini-trend with the mixologist set.  Not only this Bols Sweet Tea Liqueur but some sweet tea vodkas made by familiar names like Burnett's, Seagrams, and Firefly.  For die hard southerners who must have their bourbon there's one of those too.  It's not too overpowering (which was my greatest fear as I first opened the bottle), rather it has a clean taste that isn't too syrupy.  It gives you a great sweet tea taste but adds an alcohol kick to it.  Makes it a fun ingredient to use making tea cocktails.  It lets you add a strong tea flavor without adding too much wateriness (is this a word? well you get the idea!) which is the reason to purchase an sweet tea liqueur instead of just adding some plain vodka to some sweet tea.  Suggestions for cocktails include a Lemon Tea Drop or an English Breakfast Cocktail.  Many other options are out there on the web.  So consider using some Bols Sweet Tea Liqueur to give your signature sweet tea a kick.  A nice change from some of the more boring signature cocktails out there.  Give your guests something new to try. 

English Breakfast Cocktail

Watermelon WHAT?

Watermelon what? OK I admit, I got totally sucked in by these great looking watermelon shooters created using limes and caraway seeds! So cool--not to mention great tasting! These are from The Family Kitchen where they've posted the recipe for all you shooter fans.  Easy as can be--for those of you who read my DIY wedding blog you know I ONLY make it if it's easy(well sometimes I attempt it if it's  hard but EASY is my thing.) I'm not into stressing out over a DIY project, or any other project!  So these shooters are just up my alley-easy and great looking, what more could you ask? Perfect for a picnic wedding or other outdoor event.  Take the idea of limes or lemons to hold your shooters and the sky is the limit! The only limits are your imagination and the flavors of JELLO! So go forth and create! Shooters that is!

Frozen Juices and Fruit--Cooling Your Drinks In Style!

Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice sent me this idea in my email, and I thought, 'WOW! how cool would these be for some pink lemonade at your wedding (or other pink drinks). The recipe is a combination of Ocean Spray products and fruit--nice and healthy too(the idea is also seen at my DIY Wedding Planning Blog! Make some of these ahead of time and bag them in the freezer for your wedding day. Use cool toothpicks in them to decorate your drinks even more! Thank you Ocean Spray for this great idea! Also, I don't know about the rest of you, but I do love their juice products!

Red, White and Blue Signature Drinks?

Having a military wedding and want to serve a selection of drinks in red, white and blue? Try there margaritas using Bols products.  Also great for a nautical wedding or a summer 4th of July wedding.  They look like they taste great--this is a perfect weekend to taste them!

Think Pink--Fetzer Zin that is!

If you're a bride who is into pink, try this White Zinfandel by Fetzer Vineyards.  ( I know, it says white but it IS pink) Dennis Martin, a winemaker at Fetzer says on their web site "If ever a wine was meant to bring a smile, it’s White Zin. From the coral pink color to the aromas of strawberries and cherries that leap from the bottle as soon as the cork is pulled, our White Zin is intent on making friends. Sure, it can be a refreshing summer sipper. But take my advice. Drink what you like, when you like it. That’s the rule at my house." 

And that's what should be the rule at your wedding too! Use this pretty Zin to toast or as your signature drink with berries floating in it.  (Tip: If you want to keep the wine cold (I know, I'm a Philistine, but I love cold wine) so I freeze strawberries, this way your wine doesn't get watery but it stays cool to drink--GENIUS if I do say so myself!)  Fetzer Wines are a great option to serve at your wedding.

Chambord Cocktail--Undercover Mink

There is a cocktail on Chambord's web site called 'Undercover Mink' that's perfect for a signature drink at your wedding.  It has sage and lavendar muddled in it and is garnished with a pretty sprig of lavender--a great look for weddings.  And I have to say, I am IN LOVE with Chambord Flavored Vodka! I first tried their flavored vodka at a cocktail party hosted by EP Henry (see link: EP Henry Patio Party at the Philadelphia Design Home.)  Trying out all the signature drinks you MIGHT want to serve is a fun way to have 'at home' dates while you're doing all your wedding planning.   

Undercover Mink (recipe from Chambord Web Site)

1 ½ oz CHAMBORD Flavored Vodka
½ oz Honey
½ oz Lemon Juice
5 Sage Leaves
Top Perrier®
Lavender

Muddle sage and lavender and add ingredients. Shake and strain into a rocks glass, garnish with a sage leaf and a lavender sprig.

Mint and Lime Iced Tea Recipe

Chow.com offers this Southern style mint and lime iced tea that will refresh your guests as well as look pretty at your reception.  The easy link for this recipe is here.  Try it at home for a picnic first and be sure you like the extreme sweetness which, if you're from a different part of the country you may not be accustomed to. Consider serving iced tea with lime without the sweetener for a less sugary taste.