Come Over to My Porch for a Cocktail

 It is officially “Come Over to My Porch for a Cocktail” season! And we RSVP "yes!” to that invitation! If your porch catches a sunset or sea breeze, bonus points! If not, no matter—we are happy to gather, share good conversation, good times and good spirits! “Cheers!”

This time last year, we got a laugh from the much-circulated meme of celebrity hostess Ina Garten mixing up a giant martini in her handsome kitchen! Too funny! But this summer, we are ready to do the same and finally share the shaker.  June is typically a month of celebrations—last day of school, first day of summer, Father’s Day, Flag Day, Toast the Bride day, even—and who knew—National Chocolate Ice Cream Day on June 7 (now that is a holiday we can rally for!) Whatever you are celebrating, we are happy to raise our glass along with you!

In this celebratory spirit, we are happy to debut our Cocktail Collection of Silverware Pouches. They are porch-party ready, perfect for any occasion and add some spirit to any tabletop indoors or out. We hope they inspire good times and good memories. We thought it would be fun to share, a la Ina, a few of our favorite potent potables to get the party started.

It is finally summertime….and there is a lot to celebrate.

 Magnificent Martini (Cosmo) 
(with credit to Ina Garten—makes one giant, or plenty to share)  
2 cups top shelf vodka
1 cup Cointreau
1 cup cranberry juice cocktail
½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice

Pour everything into a glass pitcher. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add drink mixture and shake for 30 seconds. Shake and strain into martini glass.

Bloody Good Bloody Mary
4 cups Clamato juice ( or if that’s not your thing, tomato juice)
6 oz very good vodka
2 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
1 T Worcestershire sauce
1 T horseradish
1 T hot Tabasco sauce
1 t Bay Seasoning
½ t smoked paprika
½ t cayenne
½ t ground black pepper

Add first four ingredients to large pitcher. Measure remaining ingredients and add. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

What makes these so bloody good-it’s the garnishes! Pour your bloodies in ice filled pint glasses and garnish with raw vegetables-celery stalk, long cucumber spears and colorful-yellow, orange and purple carrots, halved or quartered longways. Add citrus wedges—even ruby red grapefruit or blood orange circles, dill pickle spears and the best—kabob skewers of grilled or steamed shrimp or even a hunk of lobster tail. Cheers and Bon Appetit!

Yes, I Like Pina Coladas!
(Cue the yacht rock sound track and get mixing these super easy, no added junk crowd pleasers!)
3 cups or 1 one lb bag frozen pineapple chunks
4 oz rum (better rum makes better drinks)
1 can coconut milk

Combine all ingredients in blender and puree until smooth, adding more coconut milk if needed. Serve in a swanky glass with a wedge of fresh pineapple, and a fun striped straw.
 

Its Margarita Time Somewhere
Mix up a pitcher of these and share with a dozen of your best friends!
3 cups Cointreau
3 cups –don’t skimp—freshly squeezed lime juice
6 cups Tequila
1 cup Agave syrup
1 bag of ice

Mix all ingredients, except ice, in large pitcher and refrigerate until ready to serve. Rim Margarita glasses with salt if desired and fill with ice (bagged ice is a nice, smaller size). Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add enough Margarita to cover ice and shake for 30 seconds. Repeat til all your glasses are full and Jimmy Buffet’s spirit has been summoned!