Best Frozen Margarita Recipe

April 17, 2014 by 2 Comments

Margaritas are the perfect summer drink. // www.cupcakesandcutlery.comSo last summer I discovered that I really enjoy tequila.  Or rather tequila based cocktails.  I’ve never been a shots kind of a girl and I don’t think my late 30′s, with two small children, is the time to start.   And since I like the flavor of limes so much it makes sense that I would love a good margarita.  About 6 months ago I asked my Facebook followers for their favorite margarita recipes.  They were varied to say the least.  So I decided I would try several of them and see which ones I like the best.  It was hard work, you guys.  But these are the kinds of things I do for you.  Turns out I found the best frozen margarita recipe.  Ever.

Tequila shots, leopard print and Mexican blankets = summer. // www.cupcakesandcutlery.comI know that the flavor of a margarita depends of the taste of the tequila you are using.  I’m not a tequila expert at all.  I just used what we had in the cupboard.  I see the guys on Real Housewives drinking a lot of Don Julio so I’m guessing that is a good brand to use.  And let’s talk for a second about the lime shortage we are currently facing.  Are you all as broken up about it as I am?  And I’m not even exaggerating about that.  I went to my grocery the other day to get limes for the margaritas, some salsas and guacamole I was going to make.  And my store was completely out of them.  Like, there were no limes in the entire store.  I asked.  Luckily my mom was able to grab a few from her store for me but that is why you see the bottled lime juice in some of the photos.  I’ve had to supplement with it.  It is not ideal.  I’m thinking about starting a fundraising campaign for the lime plight.  My summer relies heavily on limes.  But back to the margaritas.

Mexican blankets, leopard print and margaritas. Is it summer yet? // www.cupcakesandcutlery.comI made a traditional margarita with triple sec, lime juice, tequila and agave.  It was just ok.  And you will notice there is no salt in these photos because I don’t like it anywhere near my margaritas.  You do what you need to do.  Several of the recipes that I had called for beer.  It didn’t really do anything for them.  And one called for Trader Joe’s margarita mix.  I was disappointed.

Do you prefer on the rocks or frozen margaritas? // www.cupcakesandcutlery.comI decided since it would be really lush-y to make all these margaritas for myself, I would do it during a family barbecue.  My mom and my sister and I tried all of these and there was no clear winner.  Then my sister says, oh hey, let me make you they kind I drink.  And oh my gosh.  It was, by far, the best one.  And it was frozen!  I don’t usually enjoy frozen cocktails but for this I will make an exception.

Seriously the best frozen margarita recipe. // www.cupcakesandcutlery.comSo good!  And since you make them by the pitcher, these are great for parties or if you just don’t want to having to make your cocktails one at a time.  So thank you, sister, for sharing this with me.  She says she didn’t make it up and that it is all over the online recipe world.  So we do not take credit with creating this recipe.  Just drinking it and letting you know that it is so very tasty.

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Best Frozen Margarita Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 can Frozen Limeade, not thawed (not frozen margarita mix) Add the frozen limeade and keep the can for measuring.
  • 3/4 can of tequila
  • 1/4 can Triple Sec
  • 1 can of ice
  • Splash of agave, optional

Instructions

  1. To a blender add one can of frozen limeade, not thawed.
  2. Use the empty limeade can to help measure the next ingredients.
  3. Add 3/4 can of tequila, 1/4 can of Triple Sec and 1 can of ice to the blender.
  4. Blend on high until smooth.
  5. You can add a splash of agave if you think it needs to be sweeter but the drink is pretty sweet on its own because of the limeade.
  6. Serve immediately and enjoy.
http://www.cupcakesandcutlery.com/best-frozen-margarita-recipe/

 

Filed Under: Holidays, Party Planning, Recipes, Sip it Tagged With: , , , ,

Blood Orange Sorbet Gin Float

April 1, 2014 by 8 Comments

Blood orange gin float with rosemary stir stick. Oh yeah.  These Blood Orange Sorbet Gin Floats are perfect for spring.  These would fit perfectly in an Easter Brunch and work just as well in the evening as a before dinner drink.  Yes I said before dinner.  Sorbet is acceptable any time of day, don’t you know.

Make a pretty float with sorbet and gin and tonic. If you love gin and tonics, then you will love this drink.  And the blood orange sorbet adds such a nice sweetness.  I’m pretty new to the gin and tonic game.  The addition of the sorbet sort of eased me in to the somewhat unusual (to me) taste of the gin.  I really like trying out new spirits so it was fun playing around with this.

Tonic and bood orange sorbet make a yummy gin float.This small batch tonic is meant to be used with soda water but you could certainly sub this out for regular tonic water.  And you could also switch out the blood orange sorbet for another flavor.  I think raspberry might be quite nice.

meyer lemons are everything to me. The real game changer, for me though, is the Meyer lemon.  I LOVE me some Meyer lemons.  It really made rounded out this drink for me.  I’m sure a regular lemon would work fine too, or lime juice, but Meyer lemons have my heart.  And that rosemary sprig acts as a fun stir stick for as the sorbet melts in to the drink.  It goes really well with the botanical notes of the gin.  I totally sound like I know what I’m talking about don’t I?

Gin floats with blood orange sorbet and rosemary. And this drink is just so pretty, right?  Are you a gin and tonic drinker?  Are you a sorbet eater?  Then this drink is for you.  These would also be perfect for Mother’s Day don’t you think?

Print
Blood Orange Sorbet Gin Float

Ingredients

  • 1 - 1 1/2 oz or your favorite Gin
  • .75 oz of Jack Rudy tonic
  • One scoop of blood orange sorbet (or other flavor)
  • Juice of 1/2 - 1 Meyer lemon
  • One sprig of fresh rosemary
  • Club Soda (to top off drink)

Instructions

  1. To a glass, add one scoop of your favorite sorbet.
  2. Add gin and tonic.
  3. Top off with soda water.
  4. Take rosemary sprig in your hand give it a clap to release some oils.
  5. Add rosemary sprig to glass and stir.
  6. Continue to stir as the sorbet melts.
http://www.cupcakesandcutlery.com/blood-orange-sorbet-gin-float/

Gin floats are perfect for spring.Are you a fan of herbs in your cocktail?  I absolutely am.  And for spring, fresh herbs in cocktails is where it’s at.  Enjoy!  And as always, please drink responsibly.

Filed Under: Food, Recipes, Sip it Tagged With: , , , ,

7 Great Marmalade and Jam Cocktails

March 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Mmmmmm. Marmalade cocktails are awesome. So I am kind of in love with the idea of using marmalade in my cocktails.  Especially orange marmalade.  It is both sweet and sour and that appeals to me very much.  I thought you could probably just add it to champagne to do a fun take on a mimosa.  But it was missing something.  So I decided to do a search for marmalade and jam cocktail recipes so I can learn how to build a better drink.

There are so many variations of marmalade cocktails. Have you tried them?

A gin based cocktail from Food Network.

Another one that is gin based but adding a little Campari from Food Republic.

Here is a Brunch Punch made with vodka and orange marmalade.

Check out the Weissen Sour with both beer and bourbon.

Gin and jam cocktail from Honestly Yum.

A whiskey based cocktail with fig jam.

Lemon Verbena and Raspberry Jamtini.  Doesn’t that sound refreshing!

Champagne and marmalade is a new take on a mimosa.And here is a GREAT article for how to make the best cocktails with jams and marmalades.  There IS a formula.  I was totally missing the citrus.  Looks like I better try to make some more…Cheers!

Filed Under: Food, Lifestyle, Recipes, Sip it, Things I Love Tagged With: , , , ,

December Loves

December 19, 2013 by 2 Comments

mozza newport beachSorry for the terrible iPhone pic, but we tried out a new restaurant a few weeks ago and it was AMAZING!  If you are in Orange County and haven’t tried Pizzeria Mozza yet, you HAVE to.  It was phenomenal.  We tried a bunch of different things and all of it was perfection.  And this cocktail, the Holiday Garland I think it was called, was sensational!  A spiced cranberry reduction with bourbon and a cranberry gelee garnish.  FTW!  I had 3 of them!  3!! I never have three cocktails when I’m out.  And I was able to walk myself out so they may have been light on the liquor.  Or my belly was THAT full of delicious yumminess.  We also spotted a celeb chef eating there.  That is always a good sign.

k-and-i-at-microsoft-p.s.-i-made-this-partyKristin and I attended a party thrown by Microsoft hosted by Erica of P.S. I Made This to showcase holiday gift DIYS that can be done with their products.  We got to take home these awesome plastic ornaments that were printed on a 3D printer! (image via Getty Images for Microsoft)

fresh-paint-custom-wrapping-paperWe also got to create our own wrapping paper.  Using the Fresh Paint program, Kristin drew a Christmas tree pattern and then it was printed out for her!  SO cool!  I’m dying to play with Fresh Paint some more.

custom-thank-you-noteIt is rare that a company sends out a thank you note after working with you on a project.  It makes sense, you sometimes are working with a PR company and not the actual brand.  And some of their campaigns include a huge number of bloggers.  But I got this thank you note from Chinet (remember this post?) and thought it was super cool.  Not only was the message very nice but it was personalized with the name of my blog right on the front.  I thought it was a really nice touch.

abe-lincoln-sweatshirtYou all know that I love U.S. President’s right?  I saw a girl wearing this sweatshirt when we were at Disneyland and I almost stopped her to ask her where it was from.  I googled it once we got home and found out it was from Forever 21 (says no longer available but they have this version too)!  Sold!  It’s my fave.

hooray-cake-topperI can’t wait to use this cake topper from Little Cat Design Co. available at Sweet and Saucy Shop!  My youngest is turning 5 a few days after Christmas and this will be coolin’ out on top of his cake.  They come in a bunch of colors and phrases and if you live in Orange County, you can order over the phone/email and then pick it up in one of their stores (I went to the Newport Beach location).  That way you save on shipping AND since you are in the bakery, you might as well pick yourself up some delightful treats.

What did you love  this month?

Filed Under: Blogger Meet Ups, Fashion, Lifestyle, Orange County Resources, Party Planning, Things I Love Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Casual Holiday Brunch with #Freixenet

December 9, 2013 by

The holidays are a magical time of year. There are tons of opportunities to host your friends and family and create special moments together. But by New Year’s Day we are all pretty tapped out in the energy department. A casual brunch is all you need for starting off the new year on the right foot.

Bubbles are a must at brunch. Not only do they pair really well with most breakfast foods, but a glass of sparkling wine generally makes any occasion feel a bit more special. Freixenet (pronounced Fresh-eh-net) is a great option for your brunch beverage needs. Not only is it easy to find (available in most grocery stores including Trader Joe’s), but has a great price point, although they don’t sacrifice the quality just to be more cost effective. Total win for us.

The Cordon Negro is crisp and clean with notes of citrus and a hint of ginger (yes please). Not to mention the black bottle is totally chic and dare I say a bit sexy…It is a versatile Cava (Spanish sparkling wine) and goes really well with foods with spice like a flavorful breakfast sausage or charcuterie tray. And for the first time in 20 years, Freixenet has launched a new variety, the Cordon Negro Brut Sweet Cuvee (notes of peach and tropical flavors). This blend is a bit sweeter making it the perfect morning wine. Yes, I said that. This goes perfectly with something like a raspberry Danish (my fave brunch treat that happens to be store bought, can’t be any easier) or to sip on its own. Don’t get me wrong, it is still quite dry and not overly sweet. You will never find me drinking a sweet wine.

Being that it is brunch, make sure to still offer the traditional morning beverages like tea and coffee. And if the morning is chilly think of offering an optional “hot toddy” like the hot whiskey and honey that is my husband’s family’s tradition. While you are aiming to keep it easy, you still want to make sure that your guests needs are met (within reason).

No need to go crazy on the decorations. Simply use what you have to set a pretty table. Use sparkly leftovers from your festive New Year’s Eve celebrating to give the table some drama. I added a string of crystal shaped lights to the table to make it look like it was glowing. Lights are a fun way to decorate and I wish that people used them more throughout the year instead of just at holiday time. Using leftover wrapping paper creates the world’s easiest table runner and if you can’t leave well enough alone (that is my personal motto) add some coordinating fabric to give the table more texture. And of course fresh flowers never hurt.

Since New Year’s Day is a lazy day for us where we lounge in pajamas and just relax after late night festivities, the food must be kept simple. Quick, pre-made bacon quiche bites are perfect and are delicious when paired with the Cordon Negro Brut. Set out the food, a self-serve drink station and your work is done. Have you heard of using marmalades in your cocktails? Kind of the perfect accompaniment for brunch, am I right?

Freixenet has a really fun promotion happening right now. They’ve been touring the country in a pair of MINI Coopers. With stops at retailers and restaurants, they’ve been sharing samples of the sparkling wines and playing games for a chance to win a 2 year lease on a brand new MINI Cooper! You can play too. Look for “hidden bubbles” with reward codes throughout their site, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest pages, as well as at the tour stops. Once you find the bubble, visit www.findthebubbles.com to enter the codes. Good luck!

Who says the holidays are the only time for bubbles? Make it your resolution to sparkle 365 days of the year with Freixenet cavas. Our sparkling wines come in a variety of different styles to suit any moment or mood. Cordon Negro Brut, our classic Black Bottle Bubbly, is great as an aperitif before a night out on the town or at home with takeout pizza. Our brand new Cordon Negro Sweet Cuvee is the perfect match for brunch favorites like pancakes and eggs benedict. Visit FreixenetUSA.com for more information about where to buy Freixenet sparkling wines and learn how you could win a 2-year lease on a new 2013 MINI Cooper.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Freixenet. The opinions and text are all mine.

Filed Under: Holidays, Party Inspiration, Party Planning, Table Tops Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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