COCKTAIL RECIPE: COSMOPOLITANS

You can never go wrong with a classic cocktail and the Cosmopolitan is always a hit. Made popular again in the early part of the decade from frequent appearances on the popular show, Sex in the City, the Cosmo is one easy to make, easy to drink cocktail which easily doubles or triples for a party.

CLASSIC COSMOPOLITAN RECIPE

Makes 5 servings

5 ounces premium vodka
2.5 ounces Grand Marnier
2.5 ounces fresh lime juice
2.5 ounces cranberry juice

Shake vodka, Grand Marnier, lime and cranberry juice vigorously in a shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glasses garnished with a lime. Serves 5. Double or triple as necessary for a party.

For a crowd, simply make the cocktails in advance and pour into a pretty pitcher. Keep chilled until serving time.

GET MY PARTY PLAN FOR A GIRLS NIGHT IN PAJAMA PARTY!

PARTY THEME: PLAN A GIRLS NIGHT ‘IN’ PAJAMA PARTY!

NEED A BREAK? CALL THE GIRLS FOR A PAJAMA PARTY COMPLETE WITH ALL YOUR FAVORITE GUILTY PLEASURES!

Photography: Arden Ward, Arden Photography

You’ve shuttled the kids, cleaned up after the new puppy, crammed for a test, put up with some real pain in the neck at work, and/or got your heart stomped on yet again. Your whole attitude needs an overhaul. There’s nothing better than a night with the girls to kick back, relax, and talk it over. Instead of going out on the town, why not stay “in” and indulge in all of the guilty pleasures you don’t get to enjoy very often? Junk food favorites, gossip magazines, Sex in the City, Desperate Housewives, and Cosmopolitans were on the agenda for this party but your gang can design your own brand of fun. Cooking, cards, karaoke, or your favorite cheesy romantic comedies can be the cornerstone for your girls night in party. Everyone can wear their pajamas and come ready to relax!  

HOST A GIRLS NIGHT IN PAJAMA PARTY FULL OF GUILTY PLEASURE FUN WITH FAVORITE MOVIES, JUNK FOOD, CANDY, AND COCKTAILS ON THE MENU!

FOOD

Mini Cheeseburgers and Pigs in a Blanket are so easy, you don’t  need a recipe. Nachos are always a hit but cheese or chocolate fondue is even better. Ask everyone to bring their favorite guilty pleasure treat but double check with everyone to make sure you don’t end up with four plates of Rice Krispy treats. 

MAKE A LUSH CANDY DISPLAY OF HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE TREATS PLUS FAVORITE CANDY IN YOUR PARTY COLORS

OLD SCHOOL PIGS IN BLANKETS ARE EASY AND ALWAYS A FAV

SLIDERS ARE SIMPLE TO MAKE OR YOU CAN GET THEM FROM YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT.

FONDUE IS FUN-DO! WHITE AND DARK CHOCOLATE FONDUE IS SIMPLE AND DECADENT. DIP FRUIT, MARSHMALLOWS, OR BITES OF CAKE, ETC

DRINKS

Serve a signature cocktail or drinks that fit the theme for the evening. Since Sex in the City was on the agenda for our party, Cosmopolitans were on the menu. Rim each glass with pink sugar found in the cake icing section for a festive touch. Pre-mix a large pitcher of your signature drink so you don’t have to play bartender all night. That way, you only have to refill the serving pitcher when necessary.

SOMETHING PINK DRINK BAR WITH COSMOS, SPARKLING ROSE,  AND INDIVIDUAL BOTTLES OF ITALIAN SPARKLING SODA

Get my recipe for a classic Cosmopolitan.

DECORATIONS

Put out lots of pillows, throws and comfy blankets so guests can cuddle up on the coach to watch the movie. You don’t have to go to a lot of trouble for decorations, just use the food and drinks to dress up the table. Colorful candies and treats in one color can be used as decorations by displaying them in clear bowls and vases. Lollipop sticks from the craft store make a doughnut or marshmallow sculpture to add height and interest to your table. Grab a bouquet of flowers in your party colors at the grocery and pull it apart to use in assorted vases. For an informal party like this one, use stylish paper plates and napkins to cut down on clean up.

ADDING LOTS OF HEIGHT AND DIFFERENT TEXTURES MAKES ANY BUFFET LOOK BETTER

USING CRAFT STICKS FOR SKEWERS GIVES VISUAL INTEREST AND HELPS GUESTS TAKE ONE EASILY...

I ALWAYS USE MY FOOD AS DECORATIONS WITH A SIMPLE FLOWER ARRANGEMENT LIKE THESE HOT PINK GERBERA DAISIES TO PULL IT TOGETHER

MAKE ANY STORE BOUGHT BOUQUET LOOK EXPENSIVE BY PULLING IT APART AND PUTTING IT IN SOMETHING UNEXPECTED LIKE THIS CANDLE HOLDER

ENTERTAINMENT

In addition to watching your favorite movies, you can easily make and watch your own! Use pictures of your past good times and make your own movie using an app or software. With iMovie, you can even do this on your iPhone or iPad. Add your favorite tunes from back in the day as a soundtrack.

GUILTY PLEASURE FUN: ASK ALL THE GIRLS TO BRING FAVORITE GOSSIP OR FASHION MAGAZINES TO SHARE

Call the gang and treat yourselves to a girls’ night IN party; it’s a chocolate covered attitude adjustment just when you needed it!

RECIPE: LYNNBO’S FRESH STRAWBERRY CAKE WITH STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

In the South, sharing recipes is a part of life. I’ve known Lynn about as long as I’ve known anyone, I think. We went to elementary school all the way through high school together. Lynn had the most amazing parties back in the day… she was a big time party-thrower, even as a kid! I cannot hear Sly & the Family Stone to this day without thinking about spend the night parties at her house. I saw a Facebook post where someone was asking Lynn to make this cake for them and they were raving about it… so I asked her to share it with us. It has been a spring tradition for several years now and is the perfect cake to kick of strawberry season!

LYNNBo’s FRESH STRAWBERRY CAKE with STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

INGREDIENTS

1 strawberry cake mix (plus eggs and oil as required by the package)

1 1/2 cups fresh chopped strawberries plus more strawberries for garnish

1/2 cup of unsalted butter (1 stick) softened

12 oz cream cheese, softened

3 cups powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 tablespoons heavy cream or evaporated milk

1 small box strawberry Jell-o; add this to taste. (I used about half of the box)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 (or to package directions)

Prepare or spray your pans as directed on the package

First, chop up 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries and mash them so they resemble a puree.

Make the cake mix as directed except exchange the mashed strawberries for the water the package directions call for. Pour evenly into the prepared pan (s). Bake as directed or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Lynn recommends using a 9×13 pan but I used two 9″ round pans for mine. Allow them to cool before frosting.

For the frosting:

Cream together the cream cheese, butter, sugar, and Jello at medium speed of your mixer. Add the milk and vanilla and mix well.
Garnish with lots of strawberries. Lynn recommends adding them just before serving because there is so much moisture in the strawberries, they will slide all over the cake if you add them too soon. She also recommends to pat the strawberries dry before topping.

Hope you enjoy this one…. perfect for Spring and strawberry season!