Booze Clues
We’re throwing a New Year’s Eve party–it’s the first time we’ve ever done such a thing, but since we’re all moved in, the basement is 95%-ish complete and it’s up-and-running and ready to go, we’ve been planning it for most of the 1.25 years that we’ve lived here.
I like parties; I like having friends over and seeing them all, enjoying their company, their families and mine, the stories from life and college and the future plans. It’s warming, it’s comforting and it makes me really, truly, enjoy this life.
And now, thanks to NFL, the Bears v Packers game has been moved right into our part slot–and I think that’s just the type of thing to kick-off the party, to be honest. (It also means I may not have to buy that UFC on PPV after all!)
Makes it all a little more cooler, but that’s beside it all.
We sent out invites, and some of the neighbors from up the street swung by and said they’d be more than happy to offer up their frozen drink machine, so I’ve been making the runs to try and find Strawberry Margarita mix and Blue Raspberry slushy stuff for the kids. Now, it’s the tequila decision, and I think that we’re looking at some Patron-fueled inebriation from the frozen concoction side of the fence.
It also means that we don’t have to make our Sangria (which I love, and which we blatantly ripped from the pages of the Whole Foods Cook Book that Wil loves to recommend, and he’s right on this one) so Nicolle and I don’t have chop up a bunch of fruit, mix up the wine (here’s a tip: Two Buck Chuck all the way!), Triple Sec and frozen fruit juice concentrate stuffs together and let it all soak nicely into the fruit for a sneak-up-and-knock-you-on-your-ass-delicious drunkeneness.
Not to mention, we’ve got family Christmas on her side in Iowa, so with all the travel, it makes it a little less stressful for us. Pretty gracious of them, really, and I’m excited for everyone else to have the extra selection option that requires little effort from anyone.
And now, I’m wandering through the Mojito section of the intarwebs, and I’m thining this little mixer is just easy enough to make that I’ll probably have to give it a shot, screw up a few and then get the next few to tasty treats. Maybe add some Mangos or strawberries to it all… Yum!
So that leads me to the shot department, of which I’ve just found an Oatmeal Cookie, which seems mighty tasty on paper, but probably will suck ass in real life. But, then again, do you really need a reason to buy a bottle of Goldschlager? I think not.
And oh, mighty, deliciousy Jello shots… thank you for popping into my mind today as I was perusing the very large Schweppe’s today.
Oh, delicious!
I think I’ve got a zillion different ideas, but I’m most excited about the one I’ve made-up (although, admittedly, it’s probably not at all new) based upon a whole bunch of comments and notions from other folks.
Chocolate Covered Cherry
Cherry Jello
Chocolate Liqueur
Marachino Cherries, soaked in vodka for 2 days
Whipped Cream topping
I’m excited just to get all the ingredients together and make this! There’s a Costco run in my tomorrow and I I’ll have enough crap to buy, but the “adding to the bar” thing is a fun, dangerous adventure that gets a little too costly waaaaaaaaaaaaaay to easily.
I’ve got my knick-knacky stuff to throw on the bar–napkin holder with stirrers and parasols for the drinks, a tray for the shots to be easily catered around, a couple of shakers to keep things flowing for different shots (don’t miss out on the minty nipple!) and all that stuff. Hell, I even picked up cups with lids and straws for the youngins, just to keep it all fun and easy and, hopefully, spill proof! (hah! like I’m a new parent or something!)
Anyway, not sure when I’ll be back to posting, but I’m starting it again, and it’s feeling a bit nice.
Have a safe, happy New Year’s Eve. Go Bears!