Wasting Away Again in Margaritaville

Wednesday is my favorite day of the week. Not only is it hump day, but I get to spend every Wednesday night with my best friends and some of their moms at a local Mexican restaurant where they serve $.99 margaritas for ladies all night! It's such a fun tradition that my friends' moms started while all their daughters were in college, and we were fortunate enough to get the invite once we all moved to Memphis after graduation. While the restaurant we go to is not actually called "Margaritaville," the moms decided years ago that that's what Wednesdays would be called. I look forward to it every week, and I'm hoping to continue this tradition for years to come!

While just a traditional margarita is my drink of choice, especially in this summer heat, I came across this fun twist on my favorite drink that would be so fun to serve at a party (I won't judge if you just keep them stocked in your freezer though...I might)!

Strawberry Margarita Pops

Here's how it works:

• Pour Mike's Hard Lemonade Strawberry Margarita into Dixie cups and let freeze for two hours (traditional margarita mix with tequila won't work cause the tequila won't freeze enough).
• Insert popsicle sticks in the middle and freeze for two more hours.
• Garnish with a lime and serve.
• Don't salt until right before serving as the salt with start to melt the popsicle.

Oh, and for your men who may not want a fruity margarita pop, try these Corona popsicles (it's okay if you want one, too)! These are so easy! Make them just like you do the Strawberry Margarita Pops above--just use a Corona!

Corona Beer Pops

Both photos and recipes from Bakers Royale

Now that's what I call a fun summer treat!

w.e.r.

Raising the Bar: Part 4

From top left: Pedra Coasters from Calypso St. Barth $58.00, Assortment of glassware from Glassybaby.com, Lily Pulitzer O'hara Bar Cart $1,500, Lacquered serving trays from Plantation Design $160 each, Graffiti Cocktail Shaker from All Modern $25.00, Raw crystal bottle stoppers from Vivre.com $55.00, Colorful stemware assortment from Leonardo, Hexagon champagne bucket $225.00

Have a great weekend! Hope you enjoyed the Raising the bar series this week!

-a.e.h.

Happy Hour: Cool-Down Cocktails

If you have visited my twitter lately you have probably seen some of my friends and I gushing over these delicious looking cocktails we found via pinterest.  They are both perfect to help beat the summer heat and SUPER easy!  

Via Southern Living

Prosecco & Popsicles:

Turn a popsicle upside down in a stemmed glass and just add prosecco, champagne, or your favorite sparkling wine.  How easy is that?

Via Real Simple

Lime-Sorbet Margaritas:

Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 lime, cut into 8 wedges

1/4 cup sugar

2 pints lime sorbet

1/2 cup tequila

Directions

1. Rub the lime wedges around the rims of 8 stemmed glasses. Place the sugar on a small plate. Turn each glass upside down and dip the rims in the sugar to coat.

2. Place 2 scoops of sorbet in each glass and pour 1 tablespoon of tequila over the top of each. Serve with a spoon.

-a.e.h.

Raising the Bar: Part 3

The most important ingredient of a home bar is, of course, the liquor and mixers.  Being the queen of cocktails does not mean you have the largest variety of flavored vodkas or every cordial ever created. You simply need the basics.  To make sure you are properly stocked I am providing a list of the essential liquors and mixers you will need to make all the classics.

The Liquors

Cognac

For sidecars, brandy milk punches, crustas, daisies, and smashes.

White Rum

For daiquiris and mojitos

Gin

For martinis, gin and tonics, Tom Colinses, etc.

Bourbon

For Manhattans, old fashioneds, and whiskey sours.

Vodka

The workhorse of the liquor cabinet, used in basic drinks such as vodka tonics, screwdrivers, and the vodka martini.

Tequila

For margaritas, sunrises, and palomas.  The best tequilas are made from 100% agave.

The Mixers

Cointreau

A bar essential--clean, full of natural orange flavor, and not too sweet.

Red vermouth

For Manhattans

White Vermouth

Essential for truly sublime martinis

Bitters

Bitters are used not to make the drink taste bitter but to help other flavors blend.

This list Via MarthaStewart.com

Hope you find this list as helpful as I did!

-a.e.h.

Raising the Bar: Part 2

Via MarthaStewart.com

There are a few tools that every home bar needs.  Take a look at this quick list:
Ice Bag
Cracked ice is the best way to have super cold cocktails (the little pieces have an increased surface area). Simply put cubes in the sack and whack with a club. 

Muddler
Often, the best way to get fresh fruit into a drink is to cut it into pieces and crush it in the mixing glass. This tool is a must if you are making mojitos!

Ice Cube Trays
Make drinks like they used to!  Big, dense cubes will stay cold without getting watery. 

Jigger
A jigger helps you to measure out the perfect amount for each cocktail.

Cocktail Shaker
Professionals prefer the two-piece Boston shaker to the three-piece kind with the spout in the top. Drinks strain fast, making for less dilution and better sipping.

Strainer
To get the drinks out of your Boston shaker, you'll need a good strainer. 
Ice Bucket

Have a bucket of ice next to your glasses so it is easy to mix up a quick drink. For cocktail parties, allow for a pound of ice for each guest.

Bar Spoon

Stir your martinis and Manhattans to make them colder and silkier.

 

-a.e.h.

Raising the Bar: Part 1

I believe that having a well stocked home bar is very important! That is why this week I will be bringing you some tips on how you can create your very own!   When done right, a home bar is something that reflects your personal style.  Take a look at some of these for inspiration!

All images Via Pinterest

Keep checking back this week for home bar necessities, cocktail recipes, the best bar carts, colorful stemware, and more! 

-a.e.h.