A Drink Blogger's Valentine: Heart Shaped Ice Cubes

Kirstin loves Ikea.

Like, goes there every other week, loves Ikea.

Like, her 3 year old could probably give directions from their house, loves Ikea.

Ok,Want to know something else about Kirstin?

She loves Valentines day.

And not necessarily because of the romance of it (at least I don't think anyway),

but more so because she has fond memories of that being one of the only days of the year that her family got together to do "crafts" (aka make valentines).And because it's a great day to remind people how much you love them.

Now, I say all of that so you will understand exactly what I was thinking when I accompanied her and her two kiddos on their latest Ikea outting and saw this:

 Yep, a heart ice cube tray. Because for $1.99 (which is why most of the rest of us love Ikea) I could contribute to the Valentines Festivities and send my own little "valentine" in the form of ice. One heart ice cube tray, sold.

 Are any of you interested in decorating your ice cubes for Valentine's day to remind people they're loved? Fantastic. I'll show you just ONE of the many ways to use this baby...


1.Grab some of your favorite Juice. We used Berry Blast NakedJuice.

2.Grab yourself one enthusiastic toddler (optional. No toddlers needed, but I will say, if they're like my nephew they'd probably love to help)

3. Fill the ice cube tray with the juice (preferably a red kind in keeping with the "love" theme)

4. Let freeze. Obviously.

5. Pour a glass of seltzer, champagne, or another kind of juice (we used Mighty Mango NakedJuice for ours and paired it with some delicious red velvet pancakes for breakfast)

6. Serve it to your favorites as a little "I love you".



Champagne Week: Day 3 - A Round Up

Happy New Year's Eve Eve! To ensure that you are well prepared with a bevy of beverage options for tomorrow night's festivities, we thought we'd put together a little round up of Champagne cocktails (and fun New Years-y DIY projects). And if you can't wait until tomorrow night? Mimosas are fully acceptable at any time of the day (and made with champagne). Look how festive you are.

tinsel drink stirrers

ginger champagne sparkler

DIY monogrammed glitter glass

champagne limoncello cocktail

citrus champagne sparkler

champagne strawberry spritzer

a champagne primer

classic champagne cocktail

blood orange champagne cocktail

We also shared recipes for Merry Mimosas and Cranberry Lime Bellinis earlier this week... and here are a few more champagne cocktails for kicks!

If you're feeling ambitious, bookmark (or pin) your favorite, and go grab a bottle of champagne or two! You'll be oh-so-prepared when tomorrow night rolls around- and hostess of the year for serving such yummy drinks. It's a win-win!

Champagne Week: Day 2 - Cranberry Lime Bellinis

Yesterday was Day 1 of Champagne Week. 

Did anyone get to try those? Are you planning to?

We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Today we have another Champagne drink for you.

It involves Cranberry Juice again, which is a total coincidence. 

But it's de-lish.

 It's a little sweet, it's a little sour, and it's a little fizzy. 

It's a Cranberry Lime Bellini, and it needs to be at your NYE party this weekend.

Please tell me you saw those bubbles?

The recipe was adapted from Giada DeLaurentiis (Love that girl).

Here's what you need:

 

equal parts of

cranberry juice, chilled

limeade concentrate, chilled

champagne or prosecco (we used champagne), chilled

Here's how to do it:

Mix, stir, sip.

(we rimmed ours in gold sugar to glam-it-up even more)



Pretty, huh? Your friends will love it, PROMISE.

Champagne Week: Day 1 - Merry Mimosas.

2011 has five days left!


That's five days to finish last years bucket list/new years resolutions, get some good R&R to wind down from the Holiday, and... plan your New Years party (or plan what to take to someone else's).


This is precisely why we planned Champagne Week for you.
Let us help you ring in 2012 with a little sparkle.


Today, we wanted to suggest that you kick off the celebration this weekend with a Merry Mimosa.

The recipe was originally published in Southern Living's 2011 Christmas Cookbook
(that my mom gave me, thanks Mom),
but it's the perfect recipe for this time of year: Tradition + Holiday + Glam


It's so great for a brunch on NYE or on New Years day, because shouldn't every year start off with little bubbles?

Here's what you need:
3 c orange juice, chilled
1 c cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
1 bottle Champagne or sparkling wine, chilled.

Garnish with an orange peel and/or frozen cranberries.

Here's how to do it:

Combine orange juice and cranberry juice in a large pitcher.

Add Champagne just before serving. Garnish, if desired.

Serve immediately.

Makes 7 cups