Cocktails to sip and savor and an Al fresco tabletop.
Happy Memorial Day weekend!!!
So this weekend is the official start to summer. It is finally warm here in the northeast and the sun is shining! Thrilling and I am grilling all weekend and lounging on our deck.
I set up a table on my deck and used some old and new things. I have to have the last of the pink peonies...I hear we only have about 2 more weeks left of seeing those babies in the market. They are my favorite. I added them to the table with a few small lavender trees and have lots of candlelight for dinner. I'll be keeping peonies on my table until I can't get anymore!
I set the table with my Mackenzie Childs Courtly Check. Since it is tin, It's super easy for outdoors. I love the way these Kim Seybert Napkin rings and napkins are such a contrast but work so well together too. The napkin rings are so dramatic but I softened them up with a pretty napkin with pink trim. It was the perfect compliment to this cotton throw I used on the table. I bought it on my travels in Thailand last year. I love to bring these keepsakes into everyday living and entertaining.
I have quite a few plans for outdoor entertaining coming up and needed some ideas for summer cocktails to serve. I reached out to Jeffrey Selden of Marcia Selden Catering who shared some delicious recipes with me, and now I am passing them along to you!
I just tried them all. Take a look below at how pretty they all turned out. Delicious as well!
Try them all! Let me know your favorites!!!
First up we have the Figgy Bee, let's just say this is a grown up version on lemonade:)
Figgy Bee
2 ounces fig vodka
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice/ 1/4 oz Red Bee honey
diluted soda water
lemon wheel for garnish
makes 4 cocktails
Dilute a small amount of honey with a few warm drops of water. Stir mixture to dissolve.
Measure all ingredients except soda water into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Staring ingredients over fresh ice into a rocks glass. Top with soda water and garnish with a lemon wheel.
This next drink, of course, was there prettiest cocktail to compliment my decor! Bourbon Berry Smash, I do like blackberry for a summer drink. Love this taste with a hint of mint. The recipe calls for bourbon but I actually tried it with vodka and it was big hit!
BOURBON BERRY SMASH
2 oz bourbon
½ oz lime juice
¾ oz simple syrup
1 oz club soda
6-7 mint leaves, muddled
2-3 blackberries, muddled
makes 1 drink
In a shaker combine mint leaves, lime and blackberries. Muddle until pulverized. Add bourbon, ice and simple syrup and shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Pour into a rocks glass over ice and top with 1 ounce of club soda. Stir and garnish with mint leaves and blackberry.
I tend to always go for things with cucumber or basil. The combination is like summer in a glass. So light and refreshing. This was my personal favorite. While the ingredients are similar to the margarita I recently posted...the taste is quite different.
Cucumber Basil and Lime Gimlet
1/2 cup sugar (2oz)
1/4 large seedless cucumber, chopped and divided
3/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice ( 6 oz)
3/4 cup vodka (2oz)
1/4 cup water (2oz)
2 fresh basil sprigs
makes 2 drinks
Place sugar and 1/2 the cucumber pieces in a large, wide mouthed glass or measuring cup. Muddle lightly. Add lime juice stir until dissolved. Pour lime juice mixture through a fine mesh sieve into another measuring cup. Stir in vodka and water. Fill 2 lowball glasses with ice. Pout cocktail over ice and garnish with cucumber slice and basil.
Enjoy the cocktails and I hope you have a fabulous holiday weekend!!!!
