Market-Fresh Mixology

Hello Friends,

Labor Day weekend is here! Let’s begin the preparations for our picnics and parties. Here are a few tips to make our long weekend cocktails simple and tasty!

• Choose two cocktails that are easy to make in large quantities and that you can serve in pitchers at your party. Examples: Margarita, Cosmopolitan, or Hurricanes.
• Theme your cocktails with the holiday! Use your last name for a signature touch. Example: "The McShaffrey Margarita" or "Labor Day Lemonade".
• To enhance the charm of your party include the cocktails on your invites.
• Make mini cocktail menus to offer your guests as party favors. This is always a big hit with my family and friends.
• Make certain your home bar is well stocked with plenty of glassware, beverage napkins, straws, ice, spirits, mixers and produce ahead of time.
• To insure a non fussy picnic, pre make all of your cocktails in take along pitchers that have secure lids and store in your cooler with plenty of ice. Bring disposable glassware to ease your clean up.
• Garnishes should compliment your cocktail. Keep them simple or store bought. Example: lemon and lime wedges or a sugar cane stick.

With these tips your Labor Day weekend cocktails are sure to be a success!

Cheers,
Bridget

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Hello Friends,

Please join me in helping Kyle McHugh local Chicago barman achieve his dream of opening a boutique spirit and wine shop. Please log onto www.drinksoverdearborn.com for details.

Thank you.

Cheers,
Bridget

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There are three basic requirements to make great cocktails at home: 1) seasonal produce and juices, 2) a well stocked home bar and 3) a smile.

Let’s get one thing clear: cocktails must be fun!

Home bartending is a novel concept, an effort to entertain your friends and family — and at the same time enjoying the party. No, offering your party goers a margarita using a store bought mix doesn’t constitute a true home bartender. Neither does the offering of a beer from your cooler in the garage, even if you put it in a proper glass.

A home bartender, much like a home chef, demands their guest be able to enjoy a tasty cocktail while at the same time creating a beautiful memory of the evening. Making seasonal cocktails at home doesn’t require you to follow a strict recipe. Simply follow your taste buds to your local market or the backyard.

For example: My co-author Mary’s neighbor, Wanita, who is 70 years young had an overabundance of mint growing in her backyard. She had no one left from her neighbors and friends to share her harvest with. My co-author Mary and I decided it may be time for a “Mingle Mojito” party. On her kitchen table, we laid out a selection of fruit, limes, mint (you can put the mint in a pretty vase for drama) a pitcher of simple syrup, club soda and her favorite rum. We did a short mojito demo and let her friends make their own signature mojitos throughout the evening. This gave people a great excuse to mingle, try one another’s creations and made excellent use of Wanita’s mint.

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