Aren't these drinks pretty? First of all, they were served in antique crystal glasses. Don't let your "best" dishes gather dust, USE them, ladies! Life is a celebration! Collect fancy trays and pedestal cake plates for your presentation. Many can be found at your local consignment shop.
These lovely cocktails were renamed "Hot Pink Lipstick" by the Hostess (moi) Here is the recipe:
"Hot Pink Lipstick" a.k.a. "Pomegranate Kiss"
In shaker with ice, combine
1 oz. Southern Comfort
1 oz. pomegranate liqueur
a squeeze of fresh lime juice
Shake Well; strain into sugar-rimmed glass.
Top with 2 oz. sparkling wine or champagne.
Garnish with a lime slice.
As a side note, this drink is quite strong, you may "tone it down a bit" by substituting lemon lime or club soda for the sparkling wine.
You may purchase large crystal colored sugars in the cake and cookie decorating section of your local craft store. Many are sold by season, so when you see ones you like, stock up.
To rim the glass, rub a small section of lime or orange around the outside and top of your cocktail glass, press into sugar to coat. Let set. Be careful to pour into the middle of the glass when filling, so you don't disturb the pretty sugar rim.
Now, how about a classic Shrimp Cocktail? Why serve it on a boring flat platter or (shudder) the plastic tray it comes in?
No, no no, ladies. Think outside the box (and plastic, ugh). Here is one idea to display your tasty little shrimpies:
Start with a glass footed plate or shallow bowl , center a pretty low glass (this one came from the bar) for your sauce and perch the shrimp around the edge. Some greens under the ring of shrimp makes the color pop even more.
Use a variety of heights when displaying your food. Visual appeal adds to taste appeal. It's an experience.
Here is a featured guest from the party. "The Nude". Celebrating female form. She showed up last year too, on the beverage bar, with leopard print fabric swirled around her feet. (a scarf, shhhh, our secret) This year she opted for classic; lots of candles, white tablecloth covered in sheer black tulle, pearly clear stones and the plates were white and servers were silver and glass.
Dessert, anyone? Brownie bites with chocolate buttercream icing in a beautiful rose swirl. Flaky cream filled pastries, cut into bite size pieces, on a pedestal silver platter of course! Mini cheesecakes were polished off before a photo op. Oops!
See how the black tulle makes the white cloth look silvery? I'm going to experiment with other colors too. It is very inexpensive and there are SO many things to do with it. I've used it swirled under the base of wedding cakes and draped from chandeliers at a birthday party. There are ALWAYS other uses for every item you have..even pieces of fabric and tulle.
And last but not least, a fun touch are the wine glass charms. The Girlfriends chose from a variety of gorgeous mini high heels or wine motifs. Don't overlook the simple touches that make your party into a PARTY.
If you have a genuine girlfriend or two or three or 14, count yourself blessed. Be good to them, give them your time and a listening ear. Remind them how important they are to you. No one understands women, like women. We need eachother, don't we?
Cheers! To all the great GIRLFRIENDS in our lives! We love you gals!
If you are inspired to have your OWN Girlfriend Party...please say "hello" on my Party Hostess Diva page on Facebook. I'd be happy to share some ideas, from simple to fancy.
As always, making your life a little sweeter,
the Party Hostess Diva
www.partyhostessdiva.com
www.facebook.com/partyhostessdiva
