Cocktail Friday: Banana Daiquiris

While fall is just around the corner the temperatures will still feel like summer for the next few days. That means that you have to fit in this last summer inspired cocktail while the temperatures are in the 80's. If you love piña coladas then you will love this banana twist or if you are just trying to think of what to do with your constantly browning bananas!

You have to plan ahead on these a bit and freeze sliced ripe bananas ahead of time. We definitely recommend the frozen bananas because they make a smoother creamier drink. If you were in a pinch though you could use regular bananas and add some extra ice. 

Banana Daiquiris (serves 4)

2-3 sliced frozen bananas

3/4 cup light coconut milk 

4 Tbsp. fresh squeezed orange juice

8 oz coconut rum

*If you are using fresh and not frozen bananas cut the down to one banana and use about 2/3 cup ice

Mix everything together in a blender until smooth and serve in chilled glass.

Top with shredded coconut. 

To make coconut rim: Coat rim of glass with orange juice and roll in the coconut shreds.

Enjoy these last few moments of summer and this delicious Banana daiquiri. 

Gone Girl.... What a crazy and we aren't talking about Jamie!

The next time you think your spouse might be a little crazy.... just read Gone Girl! We won't ruin anything for you but it was pretty much as good as all the reviews said. It was so good that everyone finished it on time for this month's meeting. 

Jamie, as always, is a welcoming hostess. She is always ready with a cocktail and dinner! What more can you ask for.

While Ella couldn't be with us this month (if you missed the news she moved) she was the reason for this month's pick so THANK YOU ELLA!

This was also Poppy's first book club and she was a real trooper.

We do have to admit that the best part of the night was not the great company, the lively book discussion or the menu (which were all great)  but when Skylar got stuck up in Jamie's tree house. This awesome tree house build by her handy father is just too cool. It is a long way up there though!

Thanks for having us over Jamie!

Reconstructing Amelia Book Club

Ella's  selection for her last book club was Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight and it was a doozie! The novel was filled with suspense and readers didn’t want to put it down.

Ella was not only preparing for a big move but had also undergone foot surgery so the other members helped prepare the food and drinks.

The book takes place in New York and often times the cocktail that comes to mind (thanks to Sex and the City) is a classic Comso. The food was homemade calzones, salad, breadsticks and for dessert- a berry cobbler.   

It is always sad when one of our book club members leaves us. We really miss having Ella in our group. We welcome her back anytime she can make it! Virginia isn't really that far is it...

Katie is missing but not by choice!

Right before Poppy was born.

A Perfect Summer Cocktail: Frozen Coconut Mojito

Nothing is better on a summer evening than a refreshing cocktail and these Coconut Mojitos are just the ticket. They are made with fresh lime juice, mint simple syrup, coconut milk, coconut rum, and if you desire coconut water drained right from the coconut -here is a good link that teaches you how to get the juice from a coconut(or you could easily use coconut water from the store).

The key to a great cocktail is to use good quality alcohol and the freshest ingredients available. If you don't your cocktail is really going to suffer.

To start this cocktail you are going to need to make a mint simple syrup. Start with fresh mint, sugar and water. 

Mint Simple Syrup

1/2 Cup Sugar

1/2 Cup Water

1/4 Cup Mint Leaves 

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves. Turn down heat and continue stirring for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool down, pour into a dish and refrigerate for 20-30 mins. 

Once your mint simply syrup has chilled you can begin making the rest of your drink. As I mentioned before- start with good quality alcohol. In this case coconut rum! This brand was recommend at the liquor store and it got good reviews online. 

Coconut Mojitos (Makes 4)

1 Cup Coconut Rum

1/2 Cup Coconut Milk

1/4-1/2 Cup Mint Simple Syrup 
( We don't like it super sweet so we used less syrup)

1/4 Cup Coconut Water

3/4 Cup Fresh Lime Juice (about 3 limes)

1/4 Cup Fresh Mint, torn into pieces

1 to 1 1/2 Cups Ice

Place all ingredients in a blender and pulse into well mixed. Serve in pretty glass garnished with mint sprig and lime wedge. Cheers!

Little "B"- A Baby Shower for Abbie

Since little Poppy is already six weeks old we thought it was time to share the little soiree that was held in her and Abbie’s honor. Since Abbie and Ryan didn't want to know the gender, Skylar and Cindy hosted a gender neutral party themed with honey bees. 

No party, not even a baby shower, is complete without a delicious cocktail. Sticking with the theme all of the food included honey. The cocktail was a honey-vanilla martini made with honey simple syrup and infused vanilla vodka. Also on the menu was roasted blueberry ricotta crostinis, apple, brie and honey bruschetta, strawberry-honey bruschetta, honey-prosciutto flatbreads, homemade baby corndogs with Cindy's honey mustard, and more!

For dessert, Stacey baked some delicious vanilla bean cupcakes topped with Skylar's honey buttercream frosting. 

Abbie and Poppy received so many thoughtful gifts from all the wonderful guests. 

Annette made these hand-rolled onsies that looked like cupcakes. 

All the guests received a little jar of local honey to take home with them! 

                                         

                      

It was so much fun celebrating with everyone! Thanks again to everyone that came.

                                                 

                                                                   

     

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe Book Club

Weaving together the past and the present, old friendships and new ones, failed marriages and true love Fannie Flagg's novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe is a must read. This book club gathering was hosted by Cindy and she put together a lovely evening filled with great conversation, food, and friendship just like you were sitting at the actual Whistle Stop Cafe.

Sweet Tea Bourbon Cocktails

This book club would have not been complete with out fried green tomatoes and a bourbon sweet tea cocktail. The freshly made up fried green tomatoes were served with a tasty spicy buttermilk dipping sauce.

Also on the menu for the evening was black eye peas, fried pork chops, and bacon grits. For dessert, a homemade strawberry rhubarb pie with vanilla ice cream and coffee. 

The food was great but no one can beat Cindy when it comes to decorating following the themes in the book. From the fresh cut flowers to the jar of honey (you have to read the book to get that detail) she really has it down to perfection!

What a Bunch of Snobs...

Sorry we are a little behind on book clubs!

May's book club was hosted by Abbie. Her selection was a British satire called Snobs by Julian Fellowes. While the author is more famous for his TV series Downton Abbey, Snobs has a lot to offer as well. 

Snobs centers around the courtship between Edith Lavery, a middle class woman,  and Charles Broughton, a member of Britain's upper class. Their relationship is not looked upon favorable by Britain's aristocracy. 

While this book was not everyone's favorite it still had some entertaining parts and was a great reason to throw a high class party.

The night started out with appetizers and a classic champagne cocktail.

Phyllo dough wrapped asparagus

 The next course was a fresh green salad topped with strawberries, feta and homemade candied pecans. Followed by a delicious cold strawberry soup. 

 The evening's main course was a herbed pasta with shrimp. To end this gourmet meal, dessert was  baked chocolate ricotta with homemade strawberry sauce. 

 If you think that meal sounds a bit snobish you are probably right!