Martie's Weekend Cocktail Recipe: Cherry Coke Taste with a Bourbon Kick: The '57 Chevy

We had a little Facebook discussion about our weekend cocktail earlier tonight. Kellie wanted pineapple AND orange. Mel said bourbon. And I was in an old school mood because there's been a lot of talk in my world this week about the good old days. So, with that in mind, I decided to take the way back machine and kick it old school with this weekend cocktail recipe that combines a classic, "way back" taste with a twist. What's more old school  than a cherry coke and a 57 Chevy? Try this one if you like cherry coke... with a bourbon kick! Here's the recipe:  

The '57 Chevy

1 ounce Kentucky Bourbon (I used Knob Creek)

1 ounce orange liqueur (like Grand Marnier)

1 ounce cherry flavored vodka

Splash pineapple juice

Big splash of cherry juice

And a couple of cherries for garnish!

MORE WEEKEND COCKTAIL RECIPES:

CARAMEL APPLE MARTINI

STRAWBERRY PEAR SANGRIA

PINEAPPLE MINT MOJITOS

PINEAPPLE COSMOPOLITAN

ICED TEA VODKA & LEMONADE

POMEGRANATE MARTINI

LIMONCELLO BERRY SNO-CONES

Host a Neighborhood Halloween Party!

More than ever, families, neighborhoods, schools, churches, and youth organizations are opting to pool their resources to host a big Halloween bash in lieu of traditional trick or treating. It can be a party for as many as 50 or as few as 5... just start with a plan, draft some help, form a committee, and spread the work around.

Dads can help carve pumpkins and hang decorations; moms can split the and baking cooking duties, teens can help with playlists and games, and even the little ones can help. We pulled this party together in an afternoon. Here are some easy ideas for your neighborhood Halloween party!

DESIGN AN INVITING ENTRANCE If you don't have time to go all out, a few scary pumpkins and some strategically placed lighting to greet your guests is all you need! But if you are one of those who like to really boo it to the max, then click on Oriental Trading Company or head to your local dollar store, they always have tons of Halloween items for only a buck each. 

CANDY  TABLE DECORATIONS If you don't have time to carve a pumpkin, no worries. Make this plastic pumpkin person for the center of your buffet table. The total cost was $4.

Add lots of fun touches; put eyeballs in the punch, use ghoulish containers, spiders, Halloween napkins, and lots of orange will tie it all together. This design is perfect for a sweets table. Along with the candy, have cupcakes, popcorn balls, dipped pretzels, apples and other fruit as healthy options. Plan for an assortment of candy stations positioned around the room; kids (and those with a sweet tooth) can fill up their bags just as they would if trick or treating. 

You can also offer lots of other goodies; pencils, stickers, cards, small books, crayons, sidewalk chalk, and notebooks, journals, and diaries are all great little presents the kids can fill their bags with.

GAMES: Well, there is always Wii and other video games you can play. But old school games like the fishing pole game, cake walk, musical chairs, pin the tail on the donkey are all perfect for Halloween when you change them up a bit. Pin the whiskers on the cat, for example, is a lot more fun.

Need more great ideas for your Halloween? Our friends at MyRecipes.com have wonderful collection of spooky recipes, treats, decorating ideas, and lots more... check it out!

Weekend Cocktail Recipe: Caramel Apple Martini

Love these saucer shaped champagne glasses from Villeroy & Boch for serving martinis!CARAMEL APPLE MARTINI

Put martini glasses into the freezer to chill them. Drizzle caramel sundae syrup into the chilled martini glasses and put them back into the freezer while you mix your drinks. Make a design like this flower, polka dots, a spider web for Halloween parties, etc. Be creative! I wanted mine to look like a caramel apple.

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice mix:

2 parts Butterscotch Schnapps

2 parts Sour Apple Pucker Schnapps

1 part vodka-- use plain vodka or adjust the recipe by using vanilla vodka for a sweeter drink or Vox Green Apple vodka for an extra apple kick. I prefer the vanilla vodka but it may be too sweet for some people.

Shake and pour into the chilled and decorated glasses. Yum.  Now go enjoy the weekend. This will certainly make it better

Host a Chili Cook-off for Game Day!

Are you ready for some football? Get the whole gang together and host a chili cook-off!

Bring a “throwdown” to your tailgate or your kitchen as the competition heats up when guests battle for first place with their best chili recipes. You might even make it an annual event with a "traveling" award that goes from winner to winner each year.

THE HOW-TO: Send out invitations or call your guests to issue the “cook-off” challenge. 

Your guests should bring their best chili concoction in a crock pot or slow cooker. Iinclude printed copies of the recipe to share with other guests, if desired.  

When the guests turn in the chili, number or name it for voting and make up a ballot. Ask everyone to taste and vote for their favorite. Award prizes for first, second, and third place.

Make a condiment station with different types of crackers, Fritos, grated chesses, sour cream, chopped scallions and peppers, chopped onion, Tabasco or other hot sauces, etc.

Find a good spot to set up the bar; make sure it is away from the food to avoid congestion. Bloody Marys are a good choice for this party. Ice down some beer or wine and your bar is set.

Get the game plan for a Bloody Mary bar...

Special thanks to Jim Dandy Cooley Dandy RV Superstore in Alabama for allowing us to use their gorgeous motorcoach for this party!! And if you are heading to the game, you can rent one! 

Weekend Cocktail Recipe: Strawberry Pear Sangria

Are you entertaining a crowd this weekend? Here's a recipe that is not only delicious, it is inexpensive to serve for a large party. And it tastes as good as it looks! I had this as a cocktail at Ray's Boathouse in Seattle; a wonderful waterfront seafood restaurant. I've tweaked the original to make it for a crowd and included a some pomegranate and a little club soda.

STRAWBERRY PEAR SANGRIA

Serves 6-8

1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced

1 teaspoon sugar

1 each lemon, lime, and orange, cut into thin slices

1 pear, sliced

2 cups Pear Vodka (Absolut or Grey Goose)

1 bottle White Wine (use something crisp)

1/2 cup Pomegranate juice (I often use Pama Liqueur instead if I have it)

Club Soda

Muddle the strawberry and the citrus fruit with the sugar in a large pitcher to release the juices. Add the remaining ingredients. You can serve this immediately but it's even better if it has a chance to sit for 4 hours or more. I like to chill it for at least 2 hours before serving but you can serve it over ice. Top with club soda to taste at serving.