March Mixers: Profiles of Flavorful Party Style

This year, we will have at least three opportunities to celebrate or spend time with family and friends in the month of March.  Times that call for great tasting food and drink to bring the occasions to life.

Hurricane

MARDI GRAS - For those who crave the excitement of the annual Mardi Gras celebration, but are unable to get to New Orleans for the official celebrations, why not get together with your own guests, claim them as your official "Krewe," and hold your own Mardi Gras Ball?  For the adventurous at heart, you can make custom celebratory masks and/or favors for each of your guests, as well as a crown for the King and Queen of the night.  Serve tasty spicy foods and join them with colorful drinks with a flair for the dramatic, like the traditional Hurricane, served in large festive glassware that is befitting your grand ball:

• 1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger amaretto liqueur
• 1 fluid ounce light rum
• 1 fluid ounce dark rum
• 6 fluid ounces orange juice
• 6 fluid ounces pineapple juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 dash grenadine syrup
• 1 orange, sliced into rounds
• 1 maraschino cherry

Fill a 16 ounce glass with ice. Pour in amaretto, light rum and dark rum. Pour in orange juice, pineapple juice, and lemon juice. Stir, then top with a dash of grenadine and garnish with an orange slice and a cherry. 

Your guests will appreciate your festive efforts.  If you live in an area that has the good fortune to be warm in early March, try celebrating outdoors!

Michelada

NCAA MARCH MADNESS - Basketball fans unite!  This is not only a time to enjoy spectacular hoops, but to take in some amazing beverages while snacking on stadium fan favorites.  Okay, so we know that the ever present game day beverage will be present - B -E-E-R.  However, you can bring a game changing twist by adding a few enhancements that are sure to drive the fans wild.

Try the Michelada:
Pour your beer into a standard highball or collins glass filled with ice and add the juice of one small lemon. Add a dash of soy, Tabasco and Worcestershire. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. For some, a true Mexican Michelada is not complete without a shot of Tequila mixed in.

I know beer cocktails may seem weird, but it is a quickly growing trend from Europe that is now catching flight in the U.S.  Foodies have discovered what many have known for years, and that is that good cold beer makes food taste great.  That is why beer cocktails are a great way to score with finesse!

Irish Buck

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY - Skip the green beer this year and opt for something creative with great taste as your tribute to the Irish.  As you gather to toast and reflect on the unique richness of Irish culture, raise your cocktail glass filled with a simple drink with strong flavor profiles that will warm your heart, and dazzle your guests.  This drink is from the family of cocktails called "Bucks," which involve a base spirit, ginger ale or ginger beer and citrus.  Here is the recipe for the Irish Buck:

• 1 1/2 ounces Bushmills Irish Whiskey
• 1/4 ounce Fresh Lime Juice
• 2 ounces Ginger Ale

Combine Bushmills and Lime Juice over ice in a Collins glass.  Top with ginger ale or ginger beer.  Garnish with a lime wheel.

Being green with natural flavor will make your guests green with envy to be as socially stylish as you!

As you can see, March 2011 will be a great month for entertaining with superior flavor and high style.  All of these suggested beverages can be made easily for a small group.  However, if you want to go large, and party with the masses, you are encouraged to seek the skills of professionals like SMS Mixology.  Hiring a mixologist gets you the quality beverages that you deserve, served in a way that will allow you to entertain your guests and participate in your event.  Remember, you can embrace the power of the Spirits of Style!

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