• 1 bottle dry white wine
• ¾ cup watermelon schnapps
• ½ cup white cranberry juice
• 2 cups freshly scooped watermelon balls
• 2 limes, cut into half-wheels
Directions
Combine all of the ingredients in a large ceramic or glass container and stir well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Serve over ice. Serves about 7.
In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and the lemon peel. Mix well and refrigerate.
In a medium bowl, toss the halved cherries and mixed berries with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 to 2 teaspoons lemon juice. Refrigerate.
Break the chocolate into small pieces and place in a microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high, 20 to 30 seconds at a time, until the chocolate just starts to melt. Stir until smooth. Using a pastry brush, paint the inside of the cones with the melted chocolate. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate until the chocolate hardens, about 15 minutes.
To serve, stand the sugar cones in narrow glasses. Place a dollop of the sour cream mixture in each cone, then fill with the mixed berries. Top with another dollop of sour cream and garnish with a whole cherry.
Quick Tip
Try skinny shot glasses or Champagne flutes to help the sugar cones stand upright!
Dinner at the beach….isn’t that what summer is all about?!
If you have a beach house, the “dinner at the beach” is easy enough! If you don’t live near water, invite some friends over for a casual summer dinner alfresco this weekend (with a beach theme, of course!). Create a casual, yet put-together outdoor space that will have your friends toasting your inner “Martha Stewart!” Set up a sitting area complete with the typical comforts of an indoor living room – pillows, lanterns with candles to create some mood lighting, a bowl of flowers or fruit on a table – make it an extension of your home.
Serve dinner on your patio table – no linens necessary, just a centerpiece of fresh flowers or pots of grass to give it that casual, beach feel. Add a special touch to your place setting by tying a personalized tag to a starfish, and slip it into your napkin. Make sure to add some votive candles or small lanterns to your centerpiece to give an additional glow.
Add a little fizz and some retro fun to your next party with a soda bar!
Whether you decide to use old-fashioned soda pop (available in a variety of flavors – all with fabulous vintage logos on the bottles) or the modern day versions – choose a variety of colors and flavors and prominently show them off. The colorful bottles can act as decorations for your party too!
Keep the bottles refrigerated until right before the party starts, and then arrange the bottles by color on a table. Add a bucket full of ice, a stack of cups, and for those wanting to drink right out of the bottle – brightly colored plastic straws!
I think this idea would be darling for a child’s birthday party, an outdoor BBQ, or even a casual, summer wedding.
Serve up this refreshing treat from Rachael Ray at your next party!
Ingredients:
2 cups fresh red grapefruit juice (about 4 grapefruits)
2 cups ginger ale
1/2 cup superfine sugar
2 tablespoons grenadine or pomegranate juice
4 maraschino cherries
Directions:
In a large bowl, stir together the grapefruit juice, ginger ale, sugar and grenadine until the sugar is dissolved. Pour into a 9-by-13-inch metal baking dish and freeze for 2 hours. Using a fork, scrape the surface to break up the ice, then freeze for 2 more hours.
Scrape the surface again and divide the mixture among 4 chilled glasses; top each with a cherry. Serve immediately.
My baby brother graduates today from 8th grade……I can’t believe he will be in high school next year! No matter what the age, or what level of education achieved, graduations are a time for celebration! These treats are sure to put a smile on any graduates face!
The oh, so talented Bakerella came up with this creative idea for all of the upcoming graduation parties. Using easy-to-find candy (mini peanut butter cups, godiva chocolate squares, and sour strings), you can quickly whip these up for your graduate’s special day!
Now that the summer months are upon us, we will take to the patio for all of our family dinners. There is just something about being outside that makes everyone relax and enjoy themselves. This weekend, gather your family or friends for a simple dinner on the patio.
Add instant ambiance by hanging mason jar lanterns from your umbrella to add a little twinkle. Dress up your table by adding a touch of nature to your placesetting. I love the idea of tying a leaf or flower from your garden onto everyone’s napkin…it’s the perfect touch of color!