There is nothing like drinking a delicious and refreshing “cocktail” on a summer evening.
Sitting outside and watching the sun set and enjoying the gentle breezes…I love to serve my guests a special drink and a few nibbles.
It is a wonderful and easy way to entertain during this time of year.
Recipes
Cassis Cooler
Kiwi “tini”
Anything Mary
Non-alcoholic Summer
Sangria
Store bought nibbles, ie.
cheese straws, wedges of
cheese, shrimp cocktail,
Assorted salamis, crackers,
etc.
Cassis Cooler
Yield: 1 cocktail
Using Prosecco, which is
available for under 15.00
per bottle, instead of
champagne, is an economical
way to stretch your drink
budget
4 oz. Prosecco or other
sparkling Brut wine
1 oz. Creme de Cassis
Club Soda
Blackberries or blueberries
for garnish
Place ice in a large
attractive glass.
Pour 4 oz. Prosecco in glass.
Add 1 oz. Cassis.
Top with club soda.
Garnish with blackberries.
Kiwi “tini”
Yield: 1 cocktail
The green and black specks in
this drink make for a very
dramatic presentation, the
flavor is sublime
1 oz. chilled vodka
2 oz. chilled dry vermouth
1 peeled kiwi
Strawberries or kiwi slices
for garnish optional
Put the above ingredients and a handful of crushed ice, in a blender. Puree.
Pour into a martini glass.
Garnish with strawberry, if desired.
Anything Mary
Yield: 1 cocktail
I love Rum Mary’s, my husband
loves Bloody Mary’s, if you are
partial to Gin or Tequila, try
it…you will love it in my
Anything Mary
Ice
2 oz. liquor of choice, i.e.
vodka, rum, gin or Tequila
2 oz. store-bought Bloody
Mary mix, i.e. Mr. and
Mrs. T’s
2 oz. Clamato juice
1 oz. orange juice, with pulp
6 dashes Worcestershire
Sauce
1 dash Siracha sauce,
available in all supermarkets
in the international aisle
1 lime wedge
Garnish of choice: boiled
shrimp, skewered olives,
skewered cornichon, skew
ered cherry tomatoes,
alternating with cucumber
chunks, lime wedges,
anything but mundane
celery!
Place ice in a large attractive
glass.
Add all items except garnish.
Stir and garnish with whatever suits you. (Just remember to place it on a decorative skewer!)
Non-Alcoholic
Summer Sangria
Serves 4
The trick to this recipe is choosing an attractive pitcher.This is a festive drink to offer the under 21 set and your tea totaling friends.
Ice
3 cups white grape juice
3/4 cup apple juice
1/2 cup orange juice
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 lemon, thinly sliced,
with peel
1/2 lime thinly sliced,
with peel
1 medium orange, thinly
sliced, with peel
1 small apple, cored, sliced
into 8ths, with peel
1 small black plum, thinly
sliced, with peel
2-3 cups sparkling mineral
water or club soda, to taste
Fill a pitcher with ice
Combine the fruits and juices in the large pitcher.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Just before serving, add mineral or carbonated water and stir together. Serve.
Alexandra Troy is owner of Culinary Architect Catering, a 33-year old Greenvale-based company, specializing in private, corporate and promotional parties. For more photos and presentation follow Culinary Architect Catering on Facebook.