Love, Laughter, and EVERYTHING in Between: Day 23-RUMCHATA!

Every year I come up with a signature beverage for the holiday.  This year RUMCHATA wins and the combination I recently had is the one I'm going to try on my family this upcoming holiday.  If you enjoy RUMCHATA and aren't afraid to venture out; this one is for you too.

Mixing Fireball, Caramel, Vodka with the creamy RumChata liqueur is one drink you absolutely have to try. And when I say try, what I really mean is, go make this as soon as possible. The cinnamon in the Fireball Whisky perfectly compliments the caramel along with the vanilla in the RumChata to form a rich and flavorful RumBall cocktail. This recipe will quickly become your new favorite for the holidays or maybe the rest of your life ~ drink responsibly!


Carmeled RumBall
1.5 ounces Fireball Whisky
1.5 ounces of Vodka
1.5 ounces of Kissed Carmel Vodka
1.5 ounces RumChata

Directions: Fill a martini shaker with ice, then add the Fireball Whisky and RumChata. Shake and strain into a martini glass, or a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a dusting of cinnamon or a cinnamon stick.

~Until Next Time
SimplySHAY

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Love, Laughter, and EVERYTHING in Between: Day 22 - Holiday Party Etiquette

Your company's holiday gathering is just around the corner -- time to let loose and party with your coworkers after a long year, right? Wrong!!!

No matter how festive the occasion, it's still about business. Here are a few tips to help you keep your job and your dignity..

• Plan an event that reflects well on the company. Choose an appropriate location, control the alcohol flow, and take your coworkers interests into consideration. 


• Be DIVERSE - A Christmas party may alienate some staff. A holiday party is more inclusive.

• Do everything in MODERATION! So eat, drink and be merry -- but take it easy. Alcohol plus you and your boss can equal the next day morning's "I can't believe I said that." If you choose to drink, do so minimally.  

• Dress appropriately for the occasion. You've worked hard to create a professional image, and revealing clothes can alter your coworkers' and manager's perception of you as a competent professional.

• Mix and mingle! At the very least, don't spend the entire evening with your regular office buddies -- get in the holiday spirit and mingle with people from other departments.

• Pay attention to the time you arrive and when you leave. Even if you don't really want to attend, avoid arriving 20 minutes before the end just to make an appearance. On the flip side, don't party into the wee hours either - neither are a good look!

• Be sure to thank those who coordinated the party. They likely put in a great deal of effort hoping you would have a good time. Not only is saying thank you the nice thing to do, but it also makes you stand out from the many employees who don't.  

Until Next Time
SimplySHAY

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Love, Laughter, and EVERYTHING in Between: Day 14-Cocktail Hour

Cocktail hour is typically held just before dinner or between the ours of four to six in the afternoon.  It's a time of pre-dinner socializing intended to create a relaxing environment for mingling.

If you're having a cocktail hour and want to spruce it up, consider having a signature drink for your guests to indulge in. Think of what you like and go from there; here are three samples to tickle your fancy...

• RASMOPOLITIAN
• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) citrus-flavored vodka
• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) raspberry-flavored vodka
• 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) Chambord
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 tablespoon Simple Syrup 
• 2 tablespoons cranberry juice
• Raspberries, for garnish

THE BIG APPLE

• 1 lady apple, cut in half lengthwise, or 2 slices of a larger apple
• 3 ounces whiskey
• 1 ounce dry vermouth
• 2 dashes bitters
• 1 cup sparkling apple cider

The Negroni Cocktail is a classic Italian drink. Order a Negroni and you’ll be sure to Impress your bartender1 oz Campari 
1 oz Gin 
1 oz Sweet vermouth 

~Until Next Time
SimplySHAY

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Love, Laugher, and EVERYTHING in Between: Day 7-Cucumber Martini's!

With the holiday approaching you may be trying to think of new cocktails to serve your guests. One of the finest cocktails that I have ever come across is the cucumber martini, a cocktail which– correctly executed–can be a bracingly refreshing blast of intense cucumber flavor, highlighting what is perhaps an under-appreciated member of the melon family.

If you’re new to the world of specialty martinis… welcome!

INGREDIENTS
1.5 oz. vodka
1 oz. triple sec
1 oz. simple syrup
1 oz. cucumber juice
1/2 oz. lime juice

DIRECTIONS
There is one ingredient that pops up a lot, and that’s simple syrup.  Simple syrup is equal parts of sugar and water (I make my batches one cup of each at a time), heated in a saucepan on low heat, until the sugar dissolves.

Wash your cucumber well, and cut off a few slices to set aside for your garnish.  Then, peel what’s left and cut it into chunks (this will make it easier for your food processor to handle).

Puree it.  You want it as close to liquefied as possible.  You may find that adding a tablespoon or so of water makes this process go more smoothly.  Then, you’ll strain your puree to remove anything solid.

NOTE:  I managed to get a little over 4 oz. of juice from one large cucumber, after I reserved 4 slices for garnishing, which is enough for 4 drinks.

Fill your shaker with ice. Now, measure your ingredients in.  I always recommend a top-shelf vodka when you’re making martinis.  Effen even makes a Cucumber Vodka that would be perfect here, but I don't discriminate.

SHAKE ~ POUR ~ GARNISH ~ENJOY

~Until Next Time
SimplySHAY
 
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Wordless WEDNESDAY: Great Bar Sign!

(Credit:  Sugar Queens on Etsy)
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Fun Friday Find: "Pumpkin Pie Shot!"

I'm not a fan of Pumpkin anything but during this Thanksgiving weekend I had an opportunity to get a little taste of pumpkin pie, without having to actually eat any…I got to drink it!

Considering I'm the family bartender I believe this is an excellent Holiday Shot that can be brought out from now until Christmas…or all winter!

Ingredients:
2 Parts – Pinnacle Pumpkin Pie Vodka
1 Part – RumChata

Add ingredients to cocktail shaker, add ice, shake, and strain into shot glasses…how easy is that!

Enjoy!
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Fun Friday Find: "Mint ChocoChata Martini"

Planning a party or event and looking for some variety?  A dessert cocktail can be quite tempting if it's made with the right balance.  RumChata, that I wrote about during October is excellent in a variety of cocktails and won the 2013 About.com Readers' Choice Awards for Best Liqueur.

This stunning green cocktail is quite simple, made of RumChata, your favorite chocolate vodka, and green creme de menthe. By using a vodka for the chocolate flavoring it breaks up the creaminess that is often too overbearing in many similar chocolate-mint-cream drinks you will find.

Ingredients

2 parts RumChata Cream Liqueur

1 part chocolate vodka

1/2 part green creme de menthe 

 

Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Shake well.

Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

As simple as 1.2.3..... enjoy!

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Wedding Wednesday Cocktail: Happy Halloween Bleeding Hearts!

It's no secret that Martha Stewart has some of the coolest ideas known to man.  While looking for something toyour fear factor and to wet you pallet, check out what I stumbled upon!

 

 

WHAT:

• 2 ounces dry vermouth
• 8 ounces premium gin
• ice cubes
• 4 Pickled Baby Beets, each placed on a cocktail skewer

HOW:

• Chill 4 martini glasses in the freezer or fill with ice water and let sit until frosty, about 5 minutes (pour out water). Add the vermouth, dividing evenly; swirl to coat the glasses, then pour out. Add gin to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until chilled; divide among chilled glasses. Garnish each with a skewered pickled baby beet, and serve immediately.

(Source:  from Martha Stewart‘s Spirited Celebrations (Halloween 2009)


Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Wedding Wednesday Cocktail: Twisted Sweet Tea!

Fall is certainly in the air but for those of us not willing to let go of summer, why not enjoy a summer treat with a twist? 

This PIN led me to Green Wedding Shoes Blog so figured I'd share it with you.

WHAT:
-Sweet Tea
-A Twist
-Ice

HOW:
Responsibly!!!

Be sure to stop by their blog to see more photo's of this fabulous New York Fall Wedding.

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Wedding Wednesday Cocktail: Kinky ShayMOSA!

As we prepare for sweetest day, I thought it would be fun to host a Boudoir Session for ladies to get in touch with their inner tigeress.  I found this lovely liqueur KINKY at a local store and thought why not try it.  Light and tasty, this cocktail is perfect for bridal showers and as a signature drink at your wedding or special event.

This is what I put together and called it a KINKY SHAYmosa!

WHAT
Kinky Liqueur
Orange Juice
Champagne
Strawberries

HOW
Decorate, Pour, Enjoy

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Wedding Wednesday Cocktail: The Blushing Bride

For the month of October we're going to feature a variety of Wedding Cocktails.  What better way to start then with something PINK.  Be mindful that most of our cocktails will feature CHAMPAGNE for toasting... so without further delay here we have the Blushing Bride and she is PINK! 

Perfect for toasting the bride and groom this champagne cocktail has a nice peach twist. 

What
- Peach Schnapps
- Grenadine
- Champagne

How
Pour and enjoy!

(Source:  Partyblueprintsblog.com)

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.