Happy Hour Friday: The Poinsettia



Photo property of the Food Network

If you are in desperate need of a New Year's Eve cocktail to serve tomorrow night, look no further. This tasty poinsettia is truly indicative of the season and only requires three ingredients (most of which you probably already have at home). Serve it in a wine glass with crushed ice and a few strips of orange zest and you are sure to have your guests beggin' for more!

Have a safe and happy New Year! Cheers to 2012!

Adapted from The Food Network

You Will Need:

• 1/4 cup vodka
• 1/4 cup Champagne
• 1/2 cup cranberry juice
• Crushed ice
• 2 strips orange zest, each about 1/4-inch wide and 2 inches long

Here We Go:

• Combine the vodka, champagne and juice in a large-stemmed red wine glass
• Add crushed ice and stir until the mixture is well chilled
• Twist the orange strips over the glass, drop them in, and serve

Makes 1 Cocktail

Happy Feasting!

Happy Hour Friday: Watermelon Daiquiri

I have always been a fan of pretty party drinks. Nothing is better in the summer than a gorgeous, frozen cocktail.With temperatures rising across the US (the high is 95 degrees today), this frozen daiquiri is perfect for a summer picnic, cookout or cocktail party. I bought a whole watermelon at the grocery store earlier this week, and after we had eaten almost half of it and didn't think we could possibly eat anymore, I used the remaining melon for this tasty daiquiri. Serve it in a highball glass and garnish it with a lime. Your guests will be ever so thankful that you did!

Source: Food.com

You Will Need:

• 4 cups peeled seeded and cubed watermelon
• 1/2 cup light rum
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup triple sec
• ice cube

Here We Go:

Freeze watermelon in a shallow pan at least 6 hours

Combine frozen watermelon, rum, lime juice and triple sec in blender

Process until smooth, stopping once to scrape down the sides

Add enough ice to bring mixture to 5-cup level and process until smooth

Repeat procedure, if necessary, until mixture measures 5-cups

Garnish with a lime wedge and serve immediately

Serves 5
Happy Feasting!

Happy Hour Friday : Champagne Punch

This weekend is supposed to be gorgeous and that is great news since Saturday is the Foxfield Races. These horse races have taken place for over thirty years and there is always a huge turnout. From children to adults, it is a  favorite of many in Charlottesville. There is tailgating galore with a wide variety of BBQ, deviled eggs, ham biscuits, salads and fried chicken. And what tailgate would be complete without an ample supply of beer, wine, mimosas and bloody marys?

This recipe for champagne punch looks so refreshing and delicious. The addition of fresh fruit mixed with champagne and simple syrup sounds like the perfect cocktail for spring, summer and warm weather in general. Whip up a big batch of this and have some friends over for brunch, a pre-dinner cocktail, or to watch the royal wedding today!

Source: Recipe and Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart

You Will Need:

• 1 thinly sliced peach
• 1 cup raspberries
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/3 cup simple syrup
• 1 bottle champagne or other sparkling white wine

Here We Go:

• In a pitcher, combine ice, peach, raspberries, blueberries, lemon juice, and simple syrup
• Slowly pour in champagne or other sparkling white wine

Serves 6
Happy Feasting!