Super Bowl Party Drinks, besides Beer...

 

Super Bowl XLVII is right around the corner and no matter if you're a Ravens fan or a 49ers fan, you are probably planning on getting together with friends, having some drinks, and filling up on finger food. Here are some of Charm's ideas for some refreshments, other than beer:

Traditional Long Island Iced Tea (serves 4)

       What you need: 

                          1/4 cup of sugar

                          1/4 cup of water

                          3 cups of ice cubes

                          1/3 cup of chilled vodka

                          1/3 cup tequila

                          1/3 cup white rum

                          1/3 cup gin

                          1/4 cup of Cointreau liqueur

                          1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

                          1 cup chilled cola

          What you need to do:

1. Place the sugar and water in a small saucepan over low heat stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook for 3 minutes until syrup thickens. Remove from heart and set aside to cool for 15 minutes.
2. Place ice in serving glasses.
3. Pour vodka, tequila, rum, gin, Cointreau, sugar mixture, lemon juice, and cola over the ice.
4. Serve immediately 

Mexican- influenced Michelada (serves 8)
      (OK, this recipe contains beer, but it doesn't taste like a plain ol'Corona)

       What you need:
                          8 lime wedges

Michelada

                          Coarse salt
                          8 bottles of Corona
                          8 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
                         4 tablespoons soy sauce
                         Hot sauce

         What you need to do:

1. Rub rim of eight glasses with a lime wedge and dip it in salt. 
2. Fill each glass with 1 bottle of beer, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce, and a couple of dashes of hot sauce. 
3. Stir and squeeze a lime wedge into each.
4. Serve immediately.    

Rob Roy (1 serving)

       What you need:
                          1.5 oz Compass Box Asyla blended Scotch (or Johnie Walker Black)

Rob Roy

                          1.5 oz. Vermouth
                          Orange Bitters
                          maraschino cherry
                          Ice

       What you need to do:

1. Stir scotch, vermouth, and orange bitters with ice. 
2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Football Friendly Rum Punch

       What you need:
                          Lime juice
                          Superfine Sugar
                          Jamaican-style rum (Smith & Cross or Myers)
                          Water
                          Ice
                          Nutmeg

       What you need to do:

                         Since this is a punch, you must mix all of ingredients together in a large bowl in the following proportions: 1 part lime juice, 1 part sugar, 4 parts rum, 6 parts water. Sprinkle nutmeg over the mixture.

Harvest Hardball

Harvest Highball (1 serving)

       What you need:
                          1.5 oz Ketel One Citroen Vodka
                          .5 oz Lime juice
                          .5 oz Simple syrup
                          2 oz Chilled ginger beer (Crabbies is a personal favorite)
                         Wedge of Lime


       What you need to do:

1. Add all the ingredent expect the ginger beer into a shaker and fill with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
3. Top with the ginger beer.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Cheers,
      Charm.

Ideas for an "Anti-Valentine's Day" that are Not Lame.

Instead of staying in your pajamas, ordering Chinese food, and watching some lame movie marathon, go out a celebrate being single on February 14th...

1. Love Yourself: Splurge and head to the fanciest local spa for a message or facial. Get your hair done or get a mani- pedi. Why not do all four? Hey, you deserve the best!
   
2. Find Something New to Love: Sign up for a new classes like yoga, dance, Zumba, or cooking. Don't like to attend classes? Stop into a store you have never tried before or go to a local park you have never visited.
3. Get Out There: Attend a concert or play!  Here is a list of live events going on in NYC Thursday the 14th from eventful.com.
4. Grab Dinner with friends: Gather up all of your single friends and go get drinks and dinner at a local low key dinner to celebrate the love you all share as friends. 
   
5. Take Parents or Grandparents out for Lunch: Taking out a parent or grandparent that is single would not only make their day, but give you a loving mate to eat a great meal with.
6. Go to the Movies: Steer clear of romantic flix that will be filled with lovebirds. Two great movies that will be out on Valentine's Day include Identity Thief & Sound City.
7. Throw a "Flirt Fest": Why not have a party? Make a Facebook event and invite your single friends from different social circles for drinks and dinner. Tell them to invite their single friends to join the event. It may be a night to make some new friends, or you may find a date for next weekend.  

Cheers,
     Charm.

Bonjour Balloon!

Hello everyone! Glad you are here. This is the first post of a (hopefully) plentiful blog of inspiration for event planning, executing, and dreaming. 


Today I came across this really unique item from Bonjour Balloon (http://www.bonjourballoon.com) that I wanted to share.....

    

      This is pretty much a cute balloon in a box. I know, I know, it does not sound appealing at first. But it is cuter than that...when the person receives the box, they open it with care, and special balloon with a note attached floats out. Bonjour Balloon has balloons in various themes such as Candy Sky, Color Me Pretty, Colorful, Deep Sky, Divalicious, Fiesta Fun, It's a Boy/Girl, Pink Sass, Purple Love, Serenity, Star Bright, and Sweet Pea. They are all adorable! As Bonjour Balloon says, the balloon will "generate the biggest smile you'll ever see. That smile will turn into contagious happiness that is sure to fill any room". While I am really sure of that... I am sure it is a cute gesture for a pre-party surprise, a get well gesture, or a thank you gift. 
   Of course, if you are feeling crafty, I am sure you can think of a way to recreate this balloon set (clear balloon, large confetti pieces, confetti tail, helium, an old box (if it has writing or print on the outside of it, just wrap it up like a gift!), and a tag or note for inside), seal the box, and leave it on someone's doorstep (for much less than $25).

Cheers,
     Charm.

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