Adults ONLY lemonade recipes

Cool off with lemonade for adults only.  These lemonade recipes with alcohol are sure going to please the palette at your next party or special entertaining event.    Pssssst.  You can make it for yourself at home too!

Adults Only Lemonade

Ingredients:

2 cups sparkling water or seltzer, chilled

1/2 cup citrus flavored vodka, chilled

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup orange liqueur

Lemon slices, for garnish

Directions:

Combine all ingredients expect lemon slices in a cocktail shaker. Strain into chilled glasses filled with ice. Garnish with lemon slices.

This Lemonade Recipe is from  sheknows.com

Lemonade Wine Cooler

Nothing says summer entertaining like lemonade with a touch of alcohol for the adults! If you are an adult, you can make a lemonade wine cooler to enjoy this summer or any time of the year! Lemonade wine coolers are very easy to make and you will save money by making your own wine coolers. You can make some for your friends too! Lemonade wine coolers are great for barbecues or any party. But remember, adults only! Lemonade wine coolers are not for anyone under drinking age.

Ingredient list for lemonade wine coolers:

White wine

Lemonade

Lemon flavored seltzer water

Slice of lemon

Crushed ice or ice cubes

Add some crushed ice or two ice cubes to a wine glass or you can use a water glass for a large lemonade wine cooler. Fill the glass 1/2 full with white wine. You can use any white wine or a pink wine or blush wine will work fine too. Add some lemonade until the glass is 3/4 full. You can use ready-made lemonade or you can use lemon Kool-Aid or if you are watching your calories, use lemon Crystal Light or another brand of sugar-free lemonade. Fill the glass to the top with lemon flavored seltzer water. Add a slice of lemon as a garnish.

This recipe from Associated Content

California Lemonade

Juice of 1 large lemon

Juice of 1 large lime

1 teaspoon superfine sugar

2 ounces Scotch

1/4 teaspoon grenadine

Cold club soda

Wedge of lemon

Shake the lemon juice, lime juice, sugar, Scotch, and grenadine with ice; then strain into a chilled collins glass filled with ice. Add soda to fill, gently stir, and garnish with a lemon wedge.

From: Field Guide to Cocktails by Rob Chirico

Hawaiian Lemonade

1/2 of a 12-ounce can (3/4 cup) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

3/4 cup water

1/4 cup vodka (optional)

1 12-ounce can (1-1/2 cups) apricot nectar, chilled

1 12-ounce can (1-1/2 cups) unsweetened pineapple juice, chilled

2 cups ice cubes

1-1/4 cups ginger ale (chill in bottle)

Lemon slices (optional)

Edible flowers (optional)

Combine lemonade concentrate, water, and, if desired, vodka in a punch bowl; add apricot nectar, pineapple juice, and ice cubes. Slowly pour ginger ale down side of bowl; stir gently to mix. If desired, garnish with lemon slices and edible flowers. Makes six 8-ounce servings.

From Better Homes and Garden

black and white decorating and parties

Ask 20 people what using black and white in decorating means to them and you will get 20 different opinions.  Some think it is ultra contemporary, others country, and some traditional. Chic you say?  Sure, Chanel thinks so too.  Really, black and white can be used in any setting from formal to country and that is why I love this color combination. 

I have been in a sleek modern office where the walls are a stark white and placed on the walls are black frames setting off the owners perfect piece of art.  A black chair is neatly tucked behind a glass and chrome desk that supports a crystal vase filled with white roses, a black pen holder and a black phone placed just so on the corner of the desk completes the look.  This to me says minimal sophistication

I have also seen many situations where black wooden chairs, painted in a satin finish, have been tucked neatly around  heavy country or early American tables giving way to a hint of elegance.

 One of my friends has the black and white New England style decorating down pat.  Her kitchen, with its black granite counter tops, black chairs, and hutch, also has some quiet touches.  Topping off her crystal chandelier were simple white shades, but to finish them off, French silk ribbons with a small black and white check pattern were lovingly tied around each shade and finished off with a simple bow.  A nice New England style touch.  That extra touch personalized her kitchen and helped make it feel warm and inviting.

If you would like to see and read more on black and white decorating and black and white party theme ideas.  Please come visit me at my web site as well. 

Champagne Cupcakes with Butter Cream Frosting

Champagne Cupcakes

from: Crazy About Cupcakes by Krystina Castella.

Ingredients:

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

2/3 cup butter

1 1/2 cups white sugar

3/4 cup champagne (the sweeter the better – even strawberry would be great!!)

6 egg whites

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare a cupcake pan with liners.

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until very light and fluffy. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, and then blend into creamed mixture alternately with champagne.

In another large clean bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the whites into batter to lighten it, then fold in remaining egg whites. Fill the cupcake liners about 2/3 full.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

Champagne Butter Cream Icing

Ingredients:

3/4 cup vegetable shortening

1-1/2 sticks of unsalted butter, room temperature

3 tablespoons champagne

4-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directors:

In a large bowl beat the shortening and butter until combined. Add the champagne. Slowly add the confectioners' sugar and beat until smooth. If necessary, add additional champagne to achieve desired consistency.

Photo of Champagne Cupcakes by Kaboodle.com

Beach Themed Party and Table Decor

MORE ON NEW ENGLAND FINE LIVING.COM

Living near the beach this summer will certainly be an inspiration for one of my parties.  Here are some photos I found for table decor and beach theme party ideas.
http://www.newenglandfineliving.com/BeachThemePartiesandTables.html

Event and Party Checklist

Photo from Lanham Boston Chocolate Event

Are you planning a party or special event and you are afraid you will miss a step?  Here is a great checklist I came across for my own business.

6 to 12 Months Ahead

Place a check mark next to the items that do not pertain to your event first, then check off each completed task until every task is checked off.  Below is just a bit of the list that can be found on my web site New England Fine Living.

____ Decide event purpose (raise funds, visibility, celebration, etc.)
____ Choose a theme
____ Visit potential sites
____ Research/appoint an event coordinator/manager
____ Research/select committees/chairpersons
____ Chairperson forms subcommittees
____ Get cost estimates (site rental, food, drinks, sound/lights, etc.)
____ Get recommendations for entertainment; hold auditions
____ Get bids for entertainment
____ Get bids for decorations
____ Get bids for design/printing
____ Get bids for other major items
____ Finance committee drafts initial budget
____ Decide on admission cost
____ Create sponsorship amounts/levels
____ List items to be underwritten and possible sources
____ Research/approach honorees
____ Compile mailing list (individuals/businesses)
____ Check proposed date for potential conflicts, finalize date in writing
____ Get written contracts for site, entertainment, etc.
____ Develop alternative site (if event is outdoors)
____ Consider pre-party event for publicity or underwriting
____ Invite/confirm VIPs
____ Pick graphic artist; begin invitation design

To view the whole list....  Click here to go to our web site page