20150701 - Summer 2015 Cocktails

Summer is here and we have just finished up a very busy June in the LAFW kitchen! Thank you to all our new and returning clients for helping make last month one of our best ever. With all that cooking behind me, and a much needed break coming up, I'm getting ready for a cocktail! I'm thinking many of you are as well, so I've put together some fun and delicious drink recipes that are perfect for the holiday weekend coming up, as well as all summer long. These yummy libations are great for small dinner parties with a few friends or big barbecues with lots of friends. For larger groups, I like to make a great big punch bowl full of a favorite cocktail and let everyone help themselves. It makes hosting so much easier because you don't have to man the bar. Here's a Margarita Punch I made for a recent get together.

Read on and get recipes for red, white and blue cocktails for your upcoming summer events. They can all be multiplied out to serve many but in place of ice cubes, make an ice ring or buy a block of ice so your punch will not get diluted. I hope you enjoy them and don't forget to become an LAFW Facebook Fan. Click Here to get daily updates on the happenings in our kitchen.

Happy Summer Everyone! Looking forward to seeing you in my kitchen soon!

raspberry margarita Chambord, a very French raspberry liqueur, is what makes this margarita so very special. Splash in some Grand Marnier and it's really something, and so, so delicious. You can serve this baby blended, but I prefer mine in the rocks so as not to water down the ingredients but keep it nice and cool for the entirety of the drink. Be careful with these...they can sneak up on you and don't forget to add some blueberries for garnish! To make this gorgeous drink, in a cocktail shaker, combine 1-2 ounces of premium tequila, 1 ounce of Chambord, 1 ounce of Grand Marnier or Cointreau, a splash of cranberry juice for color and the juice of 1 lime. Shake well then pour over ice. Yum!!!!

This white sangria is so pretty, and even kind of nutritious with all the fresh fruit in it ;), on top of being so, so summery! What great about any sangria is that you can make it by the pitcher, by the punch bowl or by the bucket for that matter (but maybe a big cooler would be a better idea!). Be sure to use ripe, flavorful fruit and add special liqueur bring it up a level in flavor. In my recipe, I like to use St. Germain, an amazing elderflower liqueur that has the power to make anything taste pretty! However, peach brandy or Calvados would work really well here too. Just mix all the ingredients below (except the mint) an hour before serving. Chill in the refrigerator, pour, garnish with fruit and a couple of mint leaves, then toast! Cheers everyone!

Doesn't this look so cool and refreshing? Like you could just dive in? Or wear as a swanky cocktail ring! This dazzling drink is not only beautiful, it's super easy to make! For two servings, you will need:
Lime wedges
Coarse ground or granulated sugar
Ice cubes
1/2 cup of cranberry juice cocktail
4 tablespoons of citron vodka
4 tablespoons of blue curacao
2 tablespoon of fresh lime juice
2 chilled martini glasses

Here's how to make it: Moisten the rims of the glasses with the lime wedges. Sprinkle sugar onto small plate, and dip moistened rims into the sugar to coat lightly. Next, fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the cranberry juice, vodka, curacao and lime juice; cover and shake. Strain equally into the martini glasses. Stunning!

WANT TO USE THESE TIPS AND RECIPES IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you do not alter the information in any way and include a credit that reads "by Rose LeBoeuf, www.lafoodworks.com, Interactive Cooking Classes, Parties, and Corporate Team Building Events for Groups Looking for a Fun and Unique Dinning Experience."

Ideal for Team Building, Summer Outings, Client Entertaining, Birthday Parties, Showers and Private Gatherings.
Let LA Food Works make your party one which your guests will not soon forget!

No previous cooking experience required!
Just willingness to put on an apron,
get your hands a little messy,
indulge in some great food
and have lots of fun playing in the kitchen!

We also happily design Custom Cooking Parties. If you have a group of 10 or more foodies who love great food and playing together in the kitchen, contact us and we will design a custom menu or theme class for you and your group.

Our interactive cooking parties both unify and entertain...perfect for any occasion that requires great food, an interesting activity and lots of fun!

For information or to book your event, contact Rose LeBoeuf at 310-288-0100 for an event planning kit, pricing and availability.