So I thought it would be fun to concentrate on some liquid copycats today. Other than Starbucks Frappuccino, it's something we haven't spent a lot of time on.
First thought speaking of Everyday Parties -- the site is really coming around....on my computer. The only thing up is still the page I had when I mentioned it here on March 4th. But I have Recipes for appetizers, drinks, desserts and other party foods, ideas for themed parties, descriptions and stories for fun things to do and more already in the bag ready to post. I am shooting to "open" the site on April 1st, just in time to start outdoor parties here in the south.
For those of you not familiar with the concept here is part of what I wrote on the 4th. --
If you would like to be notified of the opening and keep up with all that will be new on the site, I will be having a newsletter. I plan to add the signup form to the site today. Head over to Everyday Parties and sign up so you don't miss this exciting new Everyday Life site.Recently I searched the internet for adult party ideas. Not adult party as in sex party (not that there's anything wrong with that) but adult as in "mature". Adult as in Baby Boomers and, increasingly, Gen X. Adult as in, "It's been a while since I slept on a bathroom floor (not that there's anything wrong with that) but I still love to party!"
I didn't have much luck.
Most websites seem to have the idea that all we want to do is dress up in funny costumes (not that there's anything wrong with that) or play silly games (not that there's anything...okay there IS something wrong with most of them.) I don't know about you but that's NOT how my friends and I party.
Does This Sound Like You?
In our teens and early twenties we partied hard. Most parties consisted of loud 80's rock music, a refrigerator full of cheap beer, chips and dip and drinking until you passed out on the bathroom floor.
We've gotten older but we still party just as hard. The refrigerator is still full of beer -- only it's the spare fridge in the basement and it's good beer. We still bring chips and dip but now they sit beside the likes of smoked salmon, curried chicken roll-ups, barbequed shrimp Orleans and fried green chili wontons. We very seldom have anyone pass out on the bathroom floor -- but when they do, we take care of them (we're moms and dads after all) and the floor is clean. Oh, we do still have the loud 80's rock music -- what can we say?
We Don't Need to Dress Up in Silly Costumes or Play Silly Games to Have Fun
Most of our parties just involve good friends, good food, good drink and good conversation. Good times. There are usually at least three generations running around, sometimes four. Oh, we sometimes have a "reason" to get together -- Superbowl, Final Four, Birthday, whatever, but mostly we just enjoy each other's company. We don't need to dress up like Gilligan or Mary Ann to have fun (though Mary Ann sounds like a lot more fun now than I thought she was on March 4th -- Mark.)
Now I'm not saying a Scooby Doo or 20's Theme Night wouldn't be fun but that just not the norm. Neither is playing silly games. We always have a running pool game going or in the summer we may play horseshoes or cornhole and occasionally Texas Hold'em will kick up late, but never do we make the games the reason for the party.
Are You One of Us?
If this sounds like you, then you are exactly the kind of partier that I have in mind for Everyday Parties.Here's a hint -- if you like the following drinks, then, yes! you are one of us!
As always -- I will not spam you, sell your information or even write you that often. I think about once a week or so will probably be good.
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Olive Garden's Limoncello Lemonade
Ingredients
3/4 ounce lemon syrup (see below)
1 ounce Smirnoff Citrus Vodka
1 ounce Limoncello Liqueur
4 ounces Fresh Made Lemonade
Ice
Directions
1. Fill a blender with all the ingredients and 1 cup ice.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Add more ice as needed to make it slushy.
4. Serve in a tall glass with a lemon wedge garnish. For a special treat, sugar the rim (like you would salt for a margarita) with lemon sugar.
Lemon Syrup
Ingredients
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar (superfine works best)
4 teaspoons fresh squeezed Lemon Juice
Directions
1. Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan.
2. Add the sugar and lemon juice and stir until sugar is dissolved.
3. Let cool and store in a clean jar in the refrigerator.
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Chili's Calypso Cooler
Ingredients
2 ounces Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
1 ounce Peach Schnapps
1 ounce Grenadine
1 cup Orange Juice
Ice
Directions
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and all the ingredients.
2. Shake vigorously for 20 to 30 seconds.
3. Pour the mixture, with ice, into a Collins glass.
4. Add an orange slice and maraschino cherry to garnish if desired.
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Olive Garden's Frozen Tiramisu
Ingredients
1/2 ounce espresso syrup (see below)
3/4 ounce Tuaca Liqueur
3/4 ounce Kahlua Liqueur
1 scoop Vanilla Ice Cream
Ice
Directions
1. Fill a blender with all the ingredients and 1 cup ice.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Add more ice as needed to make it slushy.
4. Serve in a tall glass with whipped cream on top. For a special treat, sugar the rim (like you would salt for a margarita) with chocolate sugar or cocoa powder.
Lemon Syrup
Ingredients
1/4 cup espresso
1/4 cup sugar (superfine works best)
Directions
1. Bring the espresso to a just under a boil in a small saucepan.
2. Add the sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved.
3. Let cool and store in a clean jar in the refrigerator.
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SMOOTHIES RECIPE BOOK
The title of this book is "Smoothies for Athletes" but with recipes like:
Apple & Cream
Berry Banana
Banana Orange
Cherry Vanilla
Grape Cherry Guzzler
Hawaiian Silk
Mango Papaya
Raspberry Peach
Wacky Watermelon
...and (you know the routine by now) many, many more, I believe these would be good for ANYONE, ANYTIME. And, dare I say, might benefit from a shot or three of your favorite alcoholic beverage. ;)
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