Pinterest Tip to Try: How to Make Labor Day Cocktails Even MORE Festive!

Hey Ya’ll,

Ever since I signed up for Pinterest, I’ve come across hundreds of brilliant ideas and tips that have made my life more beautiful and a lot easier too! I’ve decided to start sharing the best of these tips with all of you on a more regular basis, in the hope that you’ll do the same.

Since today is Labor Day, I thought I’d share a really great tip sure to make any cocktails you might be whipping up even more festive… h/t Alicia Cooper!

Who knew that the key to making those picture perfect clear ice cubes was boiling water?!?! Simply boil water for 5-10 minutes, let it cool, fill the tray and freeze!

If you decide to give this tip a try, here are some ideas for items to freeze inside your crystal clear cubes: raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, bananas, tiny plastic flags, small flowers, pineapple, cucumber, kiwi, lemon, lime, fig, rosemary, sage, mint, basil, lavender, honey, the sky is the limit! Just make sure your guests don’t choke on anything ; )

Image via ABeautifulMess.com

Image via http://www.brit.co

Image via http://www.brit.co

Frozen wild flowers!

Add these to dress up a Gin and Tonic!

Play around with shape…

… and size!

Head to DIY Cocktails for plenty of delicious drink recipes to toss your fany cubes into! Like this Watermelon and Thai Chili Labor Day cocktail!

So, are you on Pinterest? (If so, follow me here: http://pinterest.com/brianworley). What’s the BEST tip you’ve learned from your fellow pinners? Let me know in the comment section below.

Happy Labor Day, everyone!
-Brian

Give a Little Love: Valentine’s Day Inspired Drinks and Garnishes

Hey Ya’ll,

No matter what kind of Valentine’s Day bash you’re hosting, I recommend making the holiday a bit more memorable (or less, depending on how strong they are!) by creating a specialty cocktail for your party.
As far as ingredients go, anything that creates a pink or red color works great on Valentine’s Day. Recipes that use pink lemonade, cranberry juice, grenadine or pomegranate juice, are the perfect place to start. You can also go all out and make decadent chocolate martinis!

Another fun ingredient to play around with is Goldschlager, a cinnamon liqueur that actually has flecks of gold floating in it, adding a romantic sparkle to any drink! Here’s a sweet recipe that combines a few of these festive ingredients:

Ingredients:
1/2 oz. Goldschlager
1/2 oz. Malibu Rum
1 oz. Absolut Vodka
1 splash of Club Soda
1 splash of Grenadine

Instructions:
Combine ingredients over ice and shake very well. Strain and serve over heart shaped ice cubes.

Next, come up with a fun name for your concoction like the “Flaming Heart” or “Love Potion No.9” and add fun garnishes like a heart-shaped lollipops or candy hearts.

You can also buy heart-shaped rubber molds at most party stores to make make heart-shaped ice cubes. Make them extra festive by adding arrow-shaped toothpicks!

Tip: Set out dishes of maraschino cherries, raspberries, strawberries, pink swizzle sticks or even a Twizzlers, so that guests can add another shade of red to any drink!

Tip: Make your drink even more special by hiring a bartender or even a few cocktail servers to work your party. This way, guests don’t have to bother with making their own drinks and you don’t have to spend the evening explaining how to make them! If this isn’t in your budget, write the recipe down and make sure it’s clearly displayed by the bar.

Also, if this is the only drink that you’ll be offering at your party, I recommend splitting the ingredients into a few smaller carafes, so that people can use the same ingredients at the same time.

Do you have a drink recipe you love that’s perfect for V-Day? Leave the ingredients and instructions in comment section below!

Click HERE for a few more fabulous drink recipes and let the good times and Valentine’s Day inspired libations flow!
-Brian