Rose Petal Bellini

I was quickly flipping through the LCBO Food & Drink magazine last night and was in awe of how great everything looked. From food to cocktails, their Holiday 2012 magazine didn't miss a beat!

I came across this recipe and thought it was too delicious sounding not to share.

½ tsp (2 mL) rose syrup
1 tsp (5 mL) rosewater
½ oz (15 mL) Goldschläger
2 oz (60 mL) lychee juice, chilled
Sparkling wine, chilled
Red rose petals for garnish

1 Build the cocktail in a Champagne flute starting with the syrup then adding the rosewater, Goldschläger and lychee juice. Top up with sparkling wine. Garnish with half a rose petal.

 

How great do these look and sound?

 

Now imagine them in this adorable glass from Chapters.

 

What do you think? Can you picture yourself serving this at your next party?

DIY Sprinkle Rim

The husband is big on cappuccinos and lattes. We have one of those big machines and he loves it. Whether we're by ourselves or have 30 people over he's always making an espresso or something.

It's the Italian in him!

When I saw this on Hey Gorgeous I knew this was something I'd have to show him. She's doing it with shot glasses which would be perfect with Bailey's at a party. I'd also rim out latte glasses and serve them. How cute would a latte with sprinkles be!

Via

I'm always looking for ways to add a wow factor to any party and this would be a great way.

What do you think, would this wow you?

Fancy Ice

Fancy ice you say!

Serving a delicious cocktail at your upcoming event is one thing but why not add some fancy ice and make a real splash. 

Via

Frozen Gummy Worms

Granted this one may be better served at your kids birthday party but I still think they're super cute and wouldn't pass it by.

Via

Frozen Fruit Skewers

How delicious and eye appealing would these be in a fruity cocktail!

Via

Flavoured Ice Cubes

I picture these floating around a big bowl of punch on a hot summers day.

There you have it, some fun, colourful ways to add a big splash to your next cocktail.

Have a fabulous weekend. Stay cool!

Happy Summer!

With the heat wave we're having here in Toronto I think this is something everyone can enjoy!

How amazing would this Strawberry Margarita Popsicle taste on a hot day like today!


Click here for the how-to.

Stay cool :)

Summer Fresh Flavoured Ice Cubes

How wonderful would these look floating in your cocktail this weekend!

Via

Flavored Ice Cubes
Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients:
blackberry flavored:
1 cup sugar
2 cups water
1 cup blackberries
kiwi-strawberry:
2 kiwis, peeled and diced
6 strawberries, cleaned, hulled and diced
¼ cup blueberries
1 ½ cups kiwi-strawberry sparkling water

Directions:
1. For the blackberry ice cubes: Pour the sugar and water into a small pot, stir and simmer over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
2. Remove from heat, add blackberries and muddle together.
3. Allow the mixture to cool completely.
4. Pour the mixture into an ice tray and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.
5. For the kiwi-strawberry ice cubes:
6. Toss the kiwi, strawberries and blueberries in a small bowl until well combined.
7. Place a small spoonful of mixed fruit into each ice cube hole.
8. Fill the fruit filled ice cube trays with the flavored sparkling water and place in the freezer.
9. Freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

Amazing, right!

I have a very special announcement today! Michael and I bought a gorgeous 8 week old cock-a-poo yesterday. He's absolutely perfect and we're madly in love. I haven't been able to snap a great picture of him because he love being near me and inbetween my legs while I'm standing. But just know that's he's adorable (proud mama much)!

Lastly, don't forget to enter the Blurb Books $35.00 giveaway going on until tomorrow. Click here to enter.

Fun & Fruity Cocktails

Does summer scream fun cocktails to anyone else? I love me a good, crisp, fruity and refreshing cocktail. The brighter the colour and more fruit the better.

Via

1 small carton of raspberries

1 small carton of strawberries

1 lime

2 apples, granny smith and a braeburn

1 serrano pepper (more if you are daring)

1 bottle of Viognier

1/2 cup of white grape juice

1/4 cup of sugar

1 can of club soda

Mint leaves for garnish

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Via

1 12-ounce can frozen pineapple juice concentrate, thawed

1 6-ounce can frozen limeade concentrate, thawed

4 cups cold water * 1 liter club soda, chilled

Ice cubes

Fresh strawberries (optional)

Short (6-inch) wooden skewers

Assorted fruits such as halved orange slices, halved lime slices, orange sections, raspberries, strawberries, sliced kiwifruit, and mint sprigs

Are you a fruity cocktail person too? What's your favourite summer beverage?

Don't forget about the Blurb Books giveaway going on until June 7th. Click here to enter.

Strawberry Vodka Sparklers

It's a long weekend here this weekend and I couldn't be more thrilled especially since the weather is supposed to be amazing!

Being that it's the first long weekend of spring I thought a fun cocktail would be a suitable post for today.

Via

Recipe
2 oz. strawberry infused Svedka vodka | 2 oz. simple syrup | 2 oz. fresh lemon juice | Top with sparkling wine | Garnish with strawberries and mint

Are you a mixed drink lover? Is this something you'd try?

Have a safe & fun weekend :)

Summer Cocktails

I can't believe it's already Thursday, not that I'm complaining, trust me! I hope everyone has been having a good week.

I came across this and fell in love. How great would this be at an outdoor wedding, shower, birthday party.... basically anything outside, in the summer, on a beautiful day!

I'm picturing it with a chalk board next to it informing people what type of drink is in each jar.

Via

What do you think, something you'd try this summer? What's your favourite summer cocktail?

I love bar carts!

First off, how was your weekend? Ours was fabulous! Michael's birthday was fantastic. Everyone seemed to have fun, especially the birthday boy, which is what really matters. If you follow me on Twitter and Instagram you saw a few pictures of the set-up.

Now onto today's topic, bar carts. Do you have a bart cart in your house? I would love one but have yet to bite the bullet and buy one. I don't know exactly where we'd put it right now but I think having one would be great.

Here are a few of my favourites.

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So tell me, do you own a bar cart? Which one of these is your favourite?

Guilt-Free Margarita!

Are you like me and enjoy the weekend glass or 3 of wine / your favourite cocktail but had how many calories they contain! I came across this and thought it was too fabulous to keep all to myself.

Via

Ingredients
Makes 1 serving: 90 calories
1 oz jalapeño tequila
1/2 oz pear nectar
1 lime, juiced
1 tsp orange zest

Directions
In a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice, add the four ingredients. Shake until the tin is frosted. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wedge on glass rim.

Voila! A delicious cocktail with only 90 calories!

St. Patrick's Day Irish Coffee

Are you a fan of specialty coffees? I most certainly am! We have one of those fancy cappucino machines (Michael has a cappucino or espresso daily - he's very Italian!) and sometimes I get Michael to make me a cappucino with Baileys.

Being that St.Patrick's day is only a few days away I thought I'd share this Irish Coffee recipe.

Via

Ingredients

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 cups strong hot coffee
• 4 ounces Irish whiskey, such as Knappogue Castle

Directions

1. Whisk cream and sugar together in a medium bowl until stiff peaks form. Divide coffee and whiskey among 4 coffee cups, then top each with 1/2 cup whipped cream. Serve immediately.

Drink Up!

Having a signature drink at a party is always a big deal to me because it adds a uniqueness to your event. Whether you name your favourite drink after the theme of your party or create a fun cocktail for the event it's something everyone will be talking about.

Here are some neat cocktail ideas that will give your event the kick it needs.

VIA Catch My Party

How lovely would these be at a bridal shower or girls night? I love the idea of adding some sass to the straw!

VIA Baby Lifestyles

Lemonade is a delicious summer drink and these would be just lovely to sip at an outdoor event in July.

VIA The Cupcake Blog

Ever look down at your drink in the summer and find a bug swimming it? Well, this would prevent that and it's super cute!

Would you try any of these?

Cucumber Feta Rolls

I stumbled upon these last week on Good Life Eats and just had to share them. I'm sharing this before I try it but it looks too yummy not to share right away.



Recipe:
2 cucumbers
6 ounces crumbled feta
3 tablespoons Greek yogurt
2 1/2 - 3 1/2 tablespoons finely diced sundried tomatoes or red bell pepper
8 - 12 pitted kalamata olives, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon roughly chopped dill or oregano
2 teaspoons lemon juice
pinch of pepper, or to taste

Directions:Thinly slice the cucumbers longways on a mandoline at a 2mm thick setting. Alternatively, you can use a vegetable peeler if you do not have a mandoline. Lay the cucumbers on top of a paper towel lined cutting board while you prepare the filling.
Add the feta and yogurt to a medium bowl. Mash to combine using a fork. Add the bell pepper or sun dried tomatoes, olives, dill, lemon, and pepper to the bowl. Stir well to combine. In a bowl, mash the feta using a fork.
Place 1 - 2 teaspoons of mixture at one end of a cucumber strip and roll up. Secure with a toothpick. Repeat with remaining strips. If not serving immediately, chill until ready to serve.

How delicious would these be at your next cocktail party, bridal shower or baby shower. I plan on making them very soon!

Recipe Friday... Adult Rootbeer Floats

I cannot believe it's already Friday, this week has flown by. Does anyone have anything fun planned for the weekend? I'll be working on our house and wedding stuff this weekend - it's crunch time!

I stumbled upon this while on Creative Culinary's blog and I just had to share it. The whole post is amazing but the float is what stood out to me.

As a kid I was a big fan of a rootbeer float and as an adult I wouldn't turn one down, especially if it had vodka in it!

Who in their right mind would say no this?

For the full recipe and how to please click here.

Enjoy your weekend!

Recipe Friday....Champagne Peach Punch

Need a punch recipe for the BBQ you're hosting this weekend? Look no further, here's a yummy champagne peach punch recipe just for you from All Recipes.

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/2 cup peach brandy

1/4 cup grenadine syrup

1 (32 fluid ounce) bottle carbonated water

3 (750 milliliter) bottles champagne

3 (11.5 ounce) cans peach nectar

1 (6 ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate

Directions:

Chill all ingredients. In a large punch bowl combine peach nectar, concentrated orange juice, lemon juice, brandy and grenadine. Mix well and pour in the carbonated water and champagne.               

I hope you all have a wonderful long weekend. Stay safe!

Enjoy the Party,

Nicole :)

Patio Cocktails

Saturday afternoon my girlfriends and I had a fabulous time enjoying the great weekend weather sitting on the patio at the Black Bull on Queen Street.  Sitting on the patio had me thinking about healthier cocktail options for the summer that I want to share with you.

1. Champagne: I know this may not be your first choice on a hot summer's day on a patio but a glass of champagne only has 60 calories.
2. Vodka, Soda & Lime: This may be more up your alley while sitting on the patio and it's only 57 calories.
3. Molson 67: Why not enjoy a cold beer and not worry about all the calories your guzzling. Molson 67 is only 67 calories.

Enjoy the Party,

Nicole :)