All Things For All Parties

The History of Cocktails - Where did it all begin?

Drinks writer David Wondrich once described the cocktail as "America's first culinary tradition." This well-served tradition originated in the eighteenth century, when freedom of assembly was practiced in the most homespun of places, the local tavern.

Back in Colonial times, most taverns served toddies—warm drinks flavored with sugar and spices. In 1767 artificial carbonation was achieved, marking the first point in which innovation influenced what was served in saloons. Soon fizzy water was served with whiskey, the beginnings of mixology.

In the beginning of the nineteenth century, early refrigeration emerged and bartenders began serving cold cocktails. The availability of ice proved to be a milestone in cocktail culture. Ice made for cold, mixed, slightly diluted drinks—the modern cocktail as we know it.

In fact, the word cocktail first entered print in 1803 in the pages of Farmer's Cabinet, an early American newspaper. Although the origins of the word cocktail are debated, its birthday is celebrated on May 13, the date when an editor at another newspaper, The Balance and Columbian Repository, defined it as "a stimulating liquor composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water and bitters."

The word cocktail was part of the American vernacular by the mid-1800s. Spirits, which were easier to transport and less perishable than beer, became the drink of choice for pioneers in frontier saloons. However, not all these saloons lived up to their cowboy lore. Booms in industry saw the emergence of extravagant hotels and bars throughout the country in the second half on the 1800s. Yet change was in the midst for these establishments.

Prohibition sent cocktail culture into the underground and it wasn't until after WWII that spirited drinks began to resurface. The postwar years saw the rising popularity of vodka, the most common spirit used by mixologists today.

These days, the Internet has had a far-reaching effect on cocktail culture. The availability, and easy sharing, of drink recipes allows bartenders in taverns throughout the world to share information globally.

This article comes from www.thebar.com. Check them out for some great cocktail recipes.

 

Devil's Food Cupcakes

Yum, yum, yum!!!  Ohmigod...Do these Devil's food marshmallow filled cupcakes look heavenly or what?!?!  Diet, shmiet - thank goodness it's fall and I don't need to be in a bathing suit anytime soon.  These delicious cupcakes are perfect for your Halloween party.  Hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

Makes 16 cupcakes

Ingredients
3/4  cup  (3/8 lb.) butter, at room temperature
1 1/2  cups  sugar
2  large eggs
2  cups  all-purpose flour
1/2  cup  Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa
2  teaspoons  baking powder
1/2  teaspoon  salt
1  cup  milk
1  jar (7 oz.) marshmallow cream
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting (holy yum)

Preparation
1. In a bowl, with a mixer on medium speed, beat butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl as needed.

2. In another bowl, mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Stir in half the flour mixture into butter mixture. Stir in milk just until blended. Add remaining flour mixture and stir just until incorporated. Spoon batter equally into 16 muffin cups (1/3-cup capacity; cups should be almost full) lined with paper baking cups.

3. Bake in a 350º regular or convection oven until tops spring back when lightly pressed in the center or a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool in pans on racks for 5 minutes; remove cupcakes from pans and set on racks to cool completely, at least 30 minutes.

4. With a small, sharp knife, cut a cylinder about 3/4 inch wide and 1 inch deep from the center of the top of each cupcake. Trim off and discard about 1/2 inch from bottom of each cylinder. With a knife, hollow out a small cavity inside each cupcake.

5. Spoon marshmallow cream into pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip. Twist end of bag tightly to secure. Place tip in cavity of one cupcake; without moving tip, squeeze filling into cavity, to 1/4 inch from top. Repeat to fill remaining cupcakes. Insert cake cylinders into holes.

6. Spoon chocolate cream cheese frosting into another pastry bag, fitted with a 3/4-inch star tip, and pipe onto tops of cupcakes, or spread on cupcakes with knife.

Football Party

Ladies - is your husband already driving you NUTZ talking about his fantasy football league?  Guys - has your wife already started complaining about how much time you’ll be spending with the guys and without her?  Well… Gentlemen - since you love watching football, and ladies - since you love hosting get togethers – how about a magnificent compromise?!  Football season is the perfect time for both! Friends, together, under 1 roof… the guys, the gals... the kids, the family!  Whether it's tailgating at the game or hosting at home - cheering on our teams has not only become a national pastime, but it is part of our uniquely American culture.

We dedicate the following playbook to the rookies and the seasoned pros alike, and we know this will help you score big with your guests.

SO - Give me an F, give me a U, give me an N….What’s that spell?  FUN!!  FUN-FUN-FUN –FUN-FUNNNNNN!

Here’s the game plan:

Pre-Game Warm-Up
The first and most important part of planning any game and any party is the preparation.  So consider starting with a list of all the items that you’ll need.  Write your guest list, and plan the food, snacks, serving wares, and drinks.  Every detail is worth jotting down, and will make the execution as easy as checking items off your list.  Also, make sure you choose an invitation that will set the tone of the party.  The invitation will excite both you and your guests.We love these great football ticket invitations.

Team Roster
If you are tailgating don’t be afraid to enlist the help of friends that will be joining you.  After you’ve determined what items you are going to need– including the all important food, snacks, and drinks, you can start delegating.  Choose people you can rely on and who you know can complete a pass. Remember, there’s no “I” in TEAM.

The Playing Field
If you’re hosting a party at home, a kitchen buffet set-up lets you enjoy the game along with your guests, and make sure if you and your guests are going to be spending a good amount of time in the kitchen that you place dishes on a counter, an island or a table, and have a small television tuned into the game so nobody misses a crucial play.  Wrap silverware in napkins paired with these adorable football napkin rings.

Team Spirit
Transform grass patches into playing fields with miniature plastic football players and goalposts.  Place cheerful colored flowers bunched in simple glass vases.  Set out a tray of football themed cupcakes as dessert and favors.  And spread snacks around, easy and accessible by everyone. 

You never know who will be showing up so you’ll want it to be obvious which team you’re rooting for.  The plates and all other decorations should be reflective of your team colors. Hang pennants, a custom banner, or paper lanterns.  Don’t be afraid to splurge in this area. It won’t cost much and it’ll do a lot to pumping up your fans!

Also, ladies – don’t be afraid of noise!  Turn your TV up so that everyone can hear the pre-game interviews and keep track of the other big games that are going on that day.  Let’s be honest, the guys will demand this anyway so make them happy and get the energy up right into the kick off.

And sure, you always hope the game is going to be action packed, but some games just turn out to be snoozers.  A great way to get your guests excited is to start a pool for the game or pass out mini footballs to toss around during commercials- these also make for great favors.

Not everyone quite understands how to throw a pool, but trust me on this one the guys will love this and the girls will tune in just as eagerly to the game as the most ardent fans when money is on the line.  This is how you do it:

On a piece of blank paper mark 10 columns across and 10 rows down for a table of 100 squares – DO NOT NUMBER THEM YET; however, above the columns write the name of the home team and to the left of the rows write the name of the visiting team.  Have everyone write their names in each box and you can even charge people $1 dollar per square (or more!!!).  When every square has been filled in, take 10 pieces of square scrap paper and write a number from 0 to 9 on each piece and throw them into a hat, shake it up and then randomly pull 1 piece/number out at a time and write that number on top and across the columns.  Replace all 10 pieces of paper back into the hat, shake it up and do the same to randomly number the rows downward. Presto! There is your pool.  Assuming you sold the squares for let’s say $1 a piece, the entire pool will be worth $100 to the winner and the winner is the person that owns the square that has the far right digit of the home team score as well as the far right digit of the score that corresponds to the visiting team.  You can even split the money into 1st quarter, halftime, 3rd quarter and final score.  This really will liven up any party, trust me!

Food
Consider the time of the game, as this can help you decide what type of food and drinks to serve.  If it is a 10 am kickoff, then Bloody Marys would be the obvious drink of choice and Champagne/Mimosa Brunch might make for a lively and interesting twist to a football party.

When tailgating: Drinks actually might be the first thing you think of.  With so many different options – beyond boring old beer, you’ll surely be able to find a drink that perfectly complements your menu.  Be adventurous and use the flavors of the season– mint for those warm Indian summer afternoons, or cinnamon as the season moves into the cooler days of the playoffs.

Be sure to also offer nonalcoholic options, like iced tea and soda during the beginning of the season when it is still warm and hot chocolate and coffee during the colder months. 

Remember, the key to any great party is all in the preparation.  With a little forethought and an ounce of creativity, you’ll go a long way to ensure that your party is an S-U-C-C-E-S-S!!

LED Table Runner

 

Light up your life (or your table) with this great LED Table Runner.  You can dress up any drab table or buffet with this great reusable LED table runner from Sylvania which provides up to 10 hours of illumination.  What a great idea and a great way to set the mood of your next party. 

Festive Fall Pumpkin Decor

I have seen a lot of pumpkin decorations but I have to say I have never seen anything hotter than this pumpkin bonfire.  This was featured in the October issue of Better Homes & Garden and I was so impressed that I decided to share this idea with you.  Pumpkins blaze in a brilliant bonfire - with no cinders, no ash, no alarming burn hole in your lawn (or clothes). The squash are carved with flames instead of faces.  Create a log surround, stack the largest pumpkins on the bottom, and then work your way up. Votive candles add the fire.  You can download a free flame pattern at BHG.com/bonfirepumpkin.  So Chic!

I don't know about you but I am excited to throw a fall party.  I have been saying for the last couple of months that I wanted to throw a pumpkin carving party but these inspiring ideas make it official - I am hosting a pumpkin carving pary.  I love the idea of moving my dining room table & chairs outside. These decorations just scream FUN!!  Thanks, BHG.

Monogrammed Napkins

 

There is always something so beautiful and classic about monogrammed gifts.  Whenever you personalize something people really feel like you have thought of them...it's very flattering.  I had a few sets of guest towels embroidered with "WELCOME" which I now keep on hand as a last minute gift item for friends.  They are gorgeous.  I absolutely love monogrammed gifts especially linen napkins; I think they truly refresh and dress up any tabletop.  These also make for a great wedding gift or you can give a set of monogrammed cocktail napkins to your weekend host.  Whatever you do - Monogram it! 

T.G.I.F. Harvest Moon Cocktails

How about a round of Harvest Moon Cocktails?!?!

To make these delicious and festive drinks:

Combine 1/4 cup apricot brandy with 1/2 cup each of sweet-and-sour prepared mix and seltzer water, and 4 teaspoons of pomegranate juice. Dampen the rims of 2 martini glasses with a lemon wedge and dip them into colored cocktail sugar. Place the first three ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker, mix vigorously, and pour into the prepared glasses. Pour 2 teaspoons of pomegranate juice into each glass; do not stir. Serves 2.

How to Throw a Wine Tasting Party

 

The Harvest is upon us!!  Winemakers have already begun harvesting their grapes but no matter what the harvest forecast I think it's time to get in the spirit ourselves and throw a Wine Tasting Party in honor of this year's harvest. Here are some quick pointers on how to throw a kick-ass wine tasting party.

Since there are so many wines to choose from start by choosing a theme and by theme I mean type of wine. Choose a particular country or region like “California Pinot Noirs” or if you want to keep it simple you can just have a “White Wine” or “Red Wine” party.  Have each of your guests bring one bottle of wine priced between $10 and $50.  Put each bottle in a simple bag and number each bag. Figure on about one bottle per 10 people—this assuming you’re going to only pour about an ounce or so per wine. When I say “tasting party”, I’m thinking that everyone will have a small taste of each wine, contemplate it, and discuss it with each other. Next pass out the score cards to each guest.  Have each guests score the wines and after you have tasted all the wines, collect the score cards and add up all the points and whichever wine has the most points is the winning wine of the evening. Give out a prize to the person who brought the winning wine. 

A few extra thoughts.  Serve UNSALTED crackers (I like Carr’s Water Crackers, as opposed to Saltines), an array of cheeses, and maybe a simple veggie plate. You don’t need to go crazy with the food. Keep the finger foods simple, not too spicy or salty, so that the main focus is on comparing the wines. At the same time, you’ll want to pick certain foods and try them with several different wines, to see what goes with what. After all, that’s the whole point of a wine tasting!

Get everyone to talk about what they’re smelling, tasting, and feeling. Be sure to ask questions like, "does this wine smell spicy or fruity”. Continue with questions like, “what food would you pair this with?” Before you know it (and definitely after a few wines), everyone will be discussing all kinds of things they smell and taste in the wine. Or, everyone will get hammered and start complaining about their spouses/significant other. Either way, it should be a fun time.

Keep water on hand for drinking and rinsing—both the glasses and the palate.  Encourage people to drink water - keeping hydrated is important and also helps in preventing hangovers. Your guests will thank you in the morning.

Don't forget to keep the phone numbers of your local taxis on hand just in case some of your guests can't drive home.  You definitely want to make sure everyone gets home safely. 

 

Back To School Manners

Lisa Gache of Beverly Hills Manners put this great list of Back To School Manners together and after reading it I think this is a great reminder of the playground rules for all of us.  Regardless of age we should all heed her advice and remember to always play nicely with others.

1. Obey “The Golden Rule”. We’ve heard it a hundred times. Treat others they way you would like to be treated. Think about it, if our children actually, consciously pondered this phrase I bet there would be a lot less hurt feelings, bullying, and unruly behavior in the classroom and on the playground.

2. Practice Safety First. Believe it or not, to be safe is to use good manners. When children are watching out for themselves and their fellow classmates, fewer accidents occur. This is true for both the school grounds as well as the surrounding parking area.

3. Bullying is Bad Behavior. Teach your children to be sweet and kind to their fellow schoolmates. Being a bully is usually a cry for help from a child who is in desperate need of some attention and love. Take the high road and show sensitivity towards that child until they are able to learn how to properly express themselves.

4. Friends Forever. Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other’s gold. Each year the students in the classrooms change. Children should view this as an opportunity to make new friends. They should be reminded to cultivate the relationships they already have, but also be encouraged to introduce themselves to new students and new classmates. Remember to stand up straight, smile and make good eye contact when making introductions.

5. Cut Out the Cliques and Be Inclusive of Everyone. All students want to be accepted by their peers at school. Speak to your children about the negative effects of whispering, gossiping or excluding others. Explain to them how they would feel if the shoe were on the other foot. They should be inclusive of everyone at all times at school, especially to new students who may be more shy or reserved. They do not have to engage everyone in deep conversation, but a friendly and warm smile is a must!

6. Make Cleanliness & Hygiene a Top Priority. The Swine Flu epidemic was enough to put most parents on high alert. Teach your teacher the value and importance of cleanliness and hygiene. Make sure they wash their hands (with soap) repeatedly throughout the day, sneeze into their arm as opposed to their hands (which carry germs) and (for those with long locks) wear their hair up in a ponytail or braids to avoid bringing home lice.

7. Be True to Your School. Children should be respectful towards the school administration and staff. Encourage them to channel their inner school spirit and support their school teams both academic and sports related. Motivate them to run for student council or take the lead on a charitable drive to raise funds for the school.

8. Practice Good Study Habits. Children quickly learn that homework only gets more difficult as you get older. Better to learn good study habits when you are young so that they become second nature as you progress into higher education. Assist them in creating a schedule with blocks of time for work and for play so that no matter how much work they have, they will feel a sense of balance.

9. Birthday Parties & Sleepovers. This goes back to our rule about inclusion. Children should be sensitive to their schoolmate's feelings and not exclude individuals. For birthday parties, they should either invite the entire class, keep it a same gender party or limit themselves to two or three friends for an intimate celebration. They should send party invitations via email or mail and not through backpacks as they are easily lost. For sleepovers, teach your children to discuss their plans after school to avoid any hurt feelings from friends who are not part of the plan. If they discover a friend is within earshot, suggest to them a sleepover plan for another date in the future.

10. Back-to-School Manners are Not Just for Kids! Parents are often some of the worst offenders. Greet fellow parents each day with a warm and friendly smile. Remember to include new parents in school activities and special events. Avoid gossip or negative comments about other parents or the school. Use the magic words unconditionally and often with teachers, administration and staff. Your children emulate you and will do as you do and not as you say. Better to set them on the right course by setting a good example. Remind them of your expectations and rules with regard to their manners and behavior in general. This will provide them with the confidence they need to achieve in school and have a productive and successful year!

Lisa Gaché is the President and Co-Founder of Beverly Hills Manners™, an education and entertainment company which promotes a “new school” approach to manners and etiquette for both children and adults.  Lisa is passionate that good manners can be natural, spontaneous and fun.  Her company has partnered with leading brand names to spread the word from American Girl Place and McCormick & Schmick’s to the famed Hotel Bel-Air and Hillcrest Country Club and a host of other Los Angeles-based private schools and social organizations.  She is a sought-after lecturer and modern manners maven whose work has been covered everywhere from National Public Radio to the Huffington Post.

 

The Autumn Harvest Is Here!

Bring Fall flavor to your dinner table!!

There’s no better time in the Napa Valley than the autumn harvest! This year, bring California gourmet food into your home with these quick and easy autumn harvest recipes – and celebrate the season with Made In Napa Valley!

When the leaves begin to turn orange and gold and the outside air turns crisp, it’s the perfect time to share a cozy treat with friends and family. Head out to the orchard for a day of apple picking and a look at the fall colors – or just stop off at a local farmer’s market or grocery store – and wind down with a fantastic fall dessert. Best of all, autumn harvest recipes don’t have to be complicated to be great. Check out some of Made In Napa Valley's favorite autumn appetizer recipes and fall dessert recipes below.

Autumn Appetizer Recipes:

Mulled Wine
There’s no autumn harvest recipe better suited to the Napa Valley than a steaming cup of mulled wine! Here’s a simple way to give it some oomph.
½ gallon red wine, or 2 bottles (zinfandel or syrah are nice choices)
2 cinnamon sticks
2 whole cloves
2 allspice berries or whole nutmeg
½ orange peel and ½ lemon peel, cut into strips
Pour the wine into a large stainless steel pot (crock pots or slow cookers are best). Place spices and peels into a cheesecloth. Drop the cheesecloth into the apple juice. In a regular pot: Heat to just short of a boil. In a crock pot: Heat for 2 hours. Remove cheesecloth and serve. Garnish with a cinnamon stick for fun.
Variation: replace the wine with apple cider

Rubbed and Roasted Party Nuts
At Made In Napa Valley, we love this snack any time of year – but we add pumpkin seeds to make it one of our favorite autumn harvest recipes.
1 large egg white
2 tablespoons of any of our Rubs and Seasonings
1 teaspoon salt (preferably Kosher)
3 cups roasted almonds, pumpkin seeds or mixed nuts
Olive oil spray
Whisk the egg white until frothy. Add the rub and the salt. Add the nuts and stir to coat well. Spray a large baking sheet with olive oil and spread nuts in a single layer. Bake 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve warm.

Fall Dessert Recipes:

Caramel Apple Fondue
After your day in the orchard (or at the market), enjoy your picks with this delicious treat, one of our favorite fall dessert recipes.
2-3 large tart apples
1 cup Made In Napa Valley Vanilla Caramel Sauce with Chardonnay
¼ cup chopped salted peanuts (optional)
Cut apples into slices. Heat sauce in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or until pourable. Serve sauce in individual small bowls, then sprinkle with the peanuts. Surround with the apples slices and serve. Yum!

Pumpkin Cake
This cake is anything but spooky. It’s a great way to get into the spirit of Halloween.
2 lbs. canned pumpkin
12 oz. evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
1-½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ginger
3 eggs, beaten
1 (18 oz.) box of spice cake mix
¾ cup butter, melted
Grease the bottom of a 9-by-13 pan. Mix together the first six ingredients and pour into the pan. Sprinkle, then pack, cake mix over the top evenly. Drizzle butter over the entire cake. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Serve with whipped cream or caramel sauce.

For even more great autumn harvest recipes and other dishes, visit the Made In Napa Valley recipe section – you’ll find something for every meal, every season.