FOUR FAVORITES: FOUR COCKTAILS TO TRY TONIGHT

Ready to get out of the office and start the weekend? I don't know about you but I'm sooo past ready for this weekend. Here's a few of my favorite springtime cocktail recipes that are tried and true. Stop on the way home and pick up the ingredients, along with a nice steak or maybe a piece of fish and get the weekend started right. Cheers to Friday!

HERE ARE FOUR OF MY FAVORITE COCKTAIL RECIPES TO TRY THIS WEEKEND!

1. MINT JULEP 2. POMEGRANATE MOJITO 3. SANGRIA 4. MOSCOW MULE

1. MARTIE'S MINT JULEP

Use mint infused simple syrup and this drink just feels like Spring. A Kentucky Derby favorite, it is a signature Southern cocktail known around the world. Get the recipe here....

2. REFRESHING POMEGRANATE MOJITO

Another cocktail made with mint; this one is always a crowd favorite and is easy to mix in large batches when you have people over. Get the recipe here...

3. STRAWBERRY PEAR SANGRIA

Strawberries are coming into season and you can usually find quality pears year 'round. This is one of those go-to recipes you will find yourself serving again and again. And because you can change out the fruit for whatever is in season, you can keep it on the menu all summer long. Get the recipe here...

4. MOSCOW MULE

Long a favorite of mine, Oprah declared it her favorite cocktail a while back and now everyone is discovering it. If you can get the copper mugs, it just seems to taste better but if you don't have those, a mint julep or pewter mug will do the trick. The secret is Ginger. So zingy and so refreshing! Get the recipe...

Host a Derby Day Party: Mint Julep Recipes and Easy Decorations

Big hats, red roses, pretty spring dresses, horses, Kentucky Bourbon and mint juleps. Now if those aren't reason enough to host a party, I don't know what is! The races at Keeneland are underway now and The Kentucky Derby will be run May 1 at Churchill Downs. So call your friends, dust off that huge hat and mix up some mint juleps! In fact, why wait for Derby Day? Mix some up this weekend! Go baby go!

Derby Decorations

Decorations for a Derby Day party could not be easier. Use anything silver as a container--- use whatever you have. You can even just spray paint something you already have silver if you don't have anything.... a terra cotta pot, for example. A mint julep cup makes a perfect vase. Add a few red roses and you're done! They call the Derby the "run for the roses" because the winning horse is covered with a blanket of red roses so use lots of red roses for your decorations. You can get them anywhere--- even Wal-Mart! We used 3 per container for this arrangement along with some leaves and a little moss.

Mint Juleps from MyRecipes.comMint Julep Recipes

A classic mint julep begins with good Kentucky bourbon like Maker's Mark or Four Roses. Mint is also essential, although there are some versions that use fresh basil; very different but very refreshing. Add some ice. That's really all you need. Here's my version-use mint simple syrup so you don't have to play bartender all day and you get lots more mint flavor.

Martie's Classic Mint Julep for a Crowd

These mint julep recipes below are all from our good friends at MyRecipes.com!

Stanley's Mint Julep

Fresh Basil Julep

Mint Julep Iced Tea

And my own spin on the perfect Derby Day cocktail, Pomegranate Spiked Sweet Tea!

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