Weekend Cocktail: Cotton Candy Martini

One of our friends, Lea Ann from Newnan, Georgia is hosting a wonderful party tomorrow for a little boy who really needs one. I'm amazed by Lea Ann... for those who follow my Facebook page, she's Makaley's mom. Even though they have a lot on their own plate, they've made time and budget to do something wonderful for another family. Lea Ann told me she was testing cotton candy for the party tomorrow.... doesn't that sound like fun? Anyway, it made me remember this recipe. Since we've used some of the ingredients before, hopefully you'll have them on hand.

Here's to you Lea Ann! Thanks for following us and for sharing your wonderful ideas and generous spirit with all of us! Happy weekend, everyone!

COTTON CANDY MARTINI

2 ounces raspberry flavored vodka

1 ounce Chambord liqueur

splash of Grenadine

splash of Champagne, Prosecco or club soda for some fizz

If you have it- cotton candy for garnish

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, Chambord, Grenadine, and Champagne. Shake until the shaker is frosty and the cocktail is well chilled. Serve in chilled martini glasses and top with a whisp of cotton candy. Serve!

Cheers to the weekend!

More weekend cocktail recipes from Martie Knows Parties

Chambord Champagne Cocktail

The King's Peach

Strawberry Pear Sangria

Reata's CF Cherry Limeade

Classic Whiskey Sour

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Weekend Cocktail: Pineapple Upside Down Cake and Pineapple Iced Tea

One of my favorite go-to cocktails is simple: it's just pineapple juice with vanilla vodka. It's refreshing, light; so yummy and perfect for outdoor entertaining! I like to freeze pineapple juice into ice cubes for this drink... keeps it from becoming diluted. Try one and see if this does not become one of your favorite cocktails, too. A fun spin is to add a drop of grenadine in the bottom of the glass.... and a cherry for garnish. That's called a Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Another easy drink is my Pineapple Iced Tea. Perfect for a shower or tea. Hope you like them! Cheers to the weekend!

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Cocktail and Pineapple Iced TeaPINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE COCKTAIL

Add a drop of grenadine to the bottom of a tall glass (you can also use a martini glass and chill the drink in a shaker with ice if you prefer)

Next add:

Ice (I usually make pineapple ice cubes if I have time)

2 ounces vanilla vodka

3 ounces pineapple juice

Stir. Enjoy! Tell me that doesn't taste a lot like a pineapple upside down cake!

PINEAPPLE ICED TEA

For the non-drinkers, try a spin on the Arnold Palmer. This one is called a Tiki Palmer. It's easy and really nice for a summer event like a bridal tea or baby shower.

Simply blend half unsweetened tea* and half sweetened pineapple juice together and serve over ice with a squeeze of lemon. Add a slice of pineapple, mint, or lemon for garnish. *Some people prefer to use sweet tea for this drink but I find it's too sweet for my taste. But either way will work!

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Weekend Cocktail: Reata Restaurant's CF Cherry Limeade Recipe

Have you ever been to the famous Reata Restaurant in Ft. Worth, Texas? I love Ft. Worth and when I'm lucky enough to go, Reata is my first stop for their world-famous cowboy cuisine. I crave their Cherry Limeade and the Jalapeno and Cheddar Grits, the Tortilla Soup, and of course, the Chicken Fried Steak... or any other steak, for that matter. A double dose of Texas awesome! My friend Mike Micallef of Reata said I could share this recipe with all of you who can't pop into the restaurant for this perfect summer libation. Warning: once you try it, you'll crave it, too! Happy weekend! Enjoy!

CF Cherry Limeade from Reata Restaurant in Ft. Worth, TexasReata Restaurant's CF Cherry Limeade

2 ounces cherry vodka

1/4 ounce Grenadine

1/4 ounce Rose's Lime Juice

2 ounces sweet and sour mix

2 ounces Sprite

Ice cubes

Lime wheel and Marachino cherries for garnish.

Put all the ingredients into a glass filled with ice. Stir well. Garnish and enjoy!

Love cowboy cuisine? Buy Reata's cookbook on Amazon.com to get all of their amazing recipes or book a reservation at one of their restaurants: Reata Ft. Worth or Reata Alpine.

Make your own cherry vodka:

Infusing vodka is not complicated. If you don't want to buy a special cherry vodka, you can make your own! Take two cups of pitted fresh cherries- I like the darker red ones for this because the flavor is richer- and put them in a pticher. Add 1/8 teaspoon sugar. Take a wooden spoon and mash the cherries into the sugar until juice begins to appear. Then, pour two cups of good quality vodka over the top and let sit undisturbed for at least two hours. Longer is better.... more flavor. Strain the infused vodka into a pitcher or bottle. Keep in the freezer if you don't use all of it.

How to make your own sweet/sour mix:

The key to many great cocktails, this sour mix is also simple to make. If you are like me and don't like the stuff they put in the bottle variety, just make your own! With margarita season around the corner and Cinco de Mayo coming up, you'll want plenty of homemade sour mix on hand.

Makes 8 cups

3 cups water

3 cups sugar

2 cups fresh lemon juice

2 cups fresh lime juice

Make a simple syrup by combine water and sugar in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar disolves. Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely. Then, mix the syrup, lemon juice, and lime juice in a pitcher and chill. You can make this up to three days in advance. Really helpful for a big party or event.

 Try more weekend cocktail recipes from Martie Knows Parties:

Belfast Lemonade

Martie's Pomegranate Lemonade

Strawberry Basil Lemonade

Firefly Vodka Lemonade

Pomegranate Margaritas

Classic Margarita

The Pink Pony

Weekend Cocktail: The King's Peach

The King’s Peach Cocktail

It’s almost peach season; soon you’ll be able to find plenty of fresh peaches for this cocktail. For now, canned is fine; if you get them in 100% juice, you can use that in place of the peach nectar.

Photo: Tamika Moore/The Birmingham NewsMakes 2

2 ounces Absolut Apeach (you can sub regular vodka but increase the Peach brandy and peach nectar slightly or use an orange flavored vodka like Grey Goose L’Orange)

1 1/2 ounces peach brandy

1/2 ounce fresh lime juice

1 ounce peach nectar* (or a tablespoon of superfine or Confectioner’s sugar)

Splash of Champagne

1 slice fresh peach

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add all ingredients. Shake until very cold and the shaker is frosted. Strain into chilled martini glasses. Add a splash of Champagne or club soda on top, Garnish with the peach slice.

More weekend cocktail recipes:

Jamaican Breeze

Chambord Champagne Cocktail

 Classic Cuban Mojito

Strawberry Pear Sangria

Classic Whiskey Sour

* Find peach nectar in the International section of the grocery store.

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Weekend Cocktail: The Perfect Bloody Mary

Something about football screams Bloody..... Mary:)

I'm not sure where it started, but no tailgate worth it's ribs would be complete without a Bloody Mary. And just like ribs, potato salad, and gumbo, everyone has a recipe (most very closely guarded secrets) for the world's best Bloody Mary. I've researched. I've asked my friends. I've taste-tested, mixed, and poured. Now, I'd like to offer my own entry into the Bloody Mary Hall of Fame. Try one this weekend and let me know what you think!

MARTIE'S CLASSIC BLOODY MARY

Makes about a quart of mix; enough for 6-8 drinks

In a blender add:

3 cups tomato juice

4 T. fresh lemon juice

1 T. fresh lime juice

1 1/4 T. Horseradish (find it in a jar, ususally by the dairy)

2 T. Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 t. minced garlic

1/2 t. Tabasco

1/4 t. celery salt (plus more for rimming the glasses)

1/3 t. Kosher salt

1/2 t. black pepper

Whir everything together until smooth, transfer to a glass pitcher and chill. Before serving, assemble your mix-ins, garnishes, and rim mix.

Rim mix: Pour 1/4 t. celery salt, 1/4 t. Kosher salt, 1/4 t. black pepper onto a saucer. To rim glasses, use a lemon or lime wedge to mositen the rim of the glass. Dip the rim into the mix.

To serve: Add one ounce good quality vodka (I often use Absolut Peppar for a spicy kick) to each glass. Fill with ice. Pour Bloody Mary mix over ice. Let guests garnish at will. 

Garnish and mix-in options:

Limes, cut into wedges

Lemons, cut into wedges

Celery stalks with the leafy green tops

Pickled green beans

Pickled okra

Green onion stalks

Tabasco

Additonal Horseradish