Beat the Heat: Summer Cocktails

There's just something about summer that makes me thirsty. Maybe it's the sunshine, or the heat, or the outdoor festivals. Mostly, though, it's because I just like to drink.

I'm really into using Mason jars as casual glassware: teas, lemonades and any other summer-infused concoction just tastes better from them. If you can, procure them from your mother, your grandmother or the flea market. If not, head to your local grocery store, and you'll find them right on the shelf. Older ones have more character but may be more fragile, while newer ones can be thrown right in the dishwasher.

Here are 2 cool cocktails you can make by the pitcher - perfect to quench adult thirsts.

SWEET TEA MINT JULEPS
Courtesy of Cooking Light magazine

I doubled this recipe, so my modified one below makes 1 full pitcher. If you find the finished product too strong for your taste, make and add more iced tea to temper it.

1 cup sugar
1 cup water 
8 Earl Grey tea bags
2 oz of fresh mint (approximately 2 cups)
2 1/2 cups of bourbon
2/3 cup fresh lime juice
3 1/2 cups chilled sparkling wine


1. Combine the sugar and water in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for a total of 3 - 4 minutes, stirring after each minute to ensure sugar dissolves.
2. Add tea bags and mint to finished sugar-water mixture - which becomes simple syrup as it cools - and let them steep. After 20 - 30 minutes, remove the tea bags and mint and discard.
3. Pour the bourbon and lime juice into a pitcher. Add the cooled syrup. At this point, the pitcher can be stored in the fridge for a few hours (or days, as if you could wait).
4. Immediately before serving, add the sparkling wine. Serve in Mason jars garnished with more lime and mint, if desired.

FUZZY'S FIZZY PUNCH
This is named after our friend, Beth (a.k.a. Fuzzy), who brought us this favorite. Many a story between friends has been shared...and subsequently forgotten...after pitchers of this.

1/2 bottle of Moscato (sweet, sparkling wine)
1 - 12 oz can of frozen lemonade concentrate
3 cans of regular or diet lemon-lime soda  (approximately 1/2 liter)
1 pint of fresh raspberries
1/2 cup of fresh mint


1. Combine the Moscato and frozen lemonade concentrate in a pitcher.
2. If you're using a liter of soda, keep the lemonade concentrate can and add 3 "can-fulls" of lemon-lime soda to the pitcher. Otherwise, just add the 3 cans to the pitcher.
3. Add the raspberries and mint to the pitcher and slightly muddle. Serve immediately over ice.

*Optional: add 1 - 2 cups of champagne to make this best drink even best-er.

After happy hour, clean your Mason jars for a myriad of users. My Facebook followers suggested some great ways to use these.

Photo courtesy of The Design Grove

 

• Vases
• Luminaries (add a votive)
• Colorful candy display
• Layered desserts and fruit & yogurt parfaits
• Organizing office supplies
• Food gifts (layer dry ingredients for cookies & include a recipe tag)

I'd love to hear more of your ideas of how to use these functional yet charming jars. Meanwhile, all of this writing has worked up a sweat, so I'm going to pour another glass of Fuzzy's Fizzy Punch.

Hosting with the Most-ing

Over the years, I've taken a more avant-garde-use-it-or-lost-it approach to hosting. Why can't you use the "good" plates or China for carry out? What special occasion are you really saving that great bottle of wine for?

There's something gratifying about allowing expected social etiquette to lapse. When you set out the nice plates and pop the best bottle in the house on, say, a random Wednesday night, your guests will feel like a million bucks. And if your ultimate hosting goal isn't to make your guests feel welcome...well, you're hosting for the wrong reasons.

Now, I'm not saying you have to break the bank by showering guests with opulent stuff. Nope. Instead, I'm suggesting you use what you have to make them feel really, really special.

Here are a few simple, quick tips to surprise your guests in ways that are certain to make them feel like the guests of honor.

Place Cards
Make place cards for the table, even for just 1 or 2 guests. It's not about coordinating seating; it's about having your guests see their own name and feel special. Write or print out their name, then affix the paper to a piece of fresh fruit or an interesting twig, flower or greenery from outside.

PHOTO: Martha Stewart

Fruit Floater 
Drop a raspberry or blackberry in the bottom of empty champagne or wine glasses. This adds a pop of color, and when filled, the fruit garnish floats.

Wine Splits
If you plan to serve wine, buy "splits" (mini bottles) and place one at each table setting for the first cocktail. You can also attach a name tag to each bottle and use it as a place card as suggested above!

PHOTO & IDEA: The Peak of Tres Chic

Eye-Catching Veggies
This is a super simple one I've seen on a number of Pinterest boards. Veggies are elevated when served in unique vessels, like these martini glasses, vases and tumblers.

CREDIT: Cocoa and Fig

Dishing Dessert
Present each guest with an individual dessert. People love having "their own" of whatever treat you're serving. Serve store-bought cupcakes on saucers with fresh fruit garnish or chocolates. If you're making dessert, divide batter or filling between ramekins and bake or chill as directed. 


Whatever the day, whatever the occasion, you can make it a special one with these special tricks.

Cheers!