I thought this week we could twist it up a little, and highlight a great party appetizer vs a cocktail! My sister makes this, and it is simply to die for! Tomatoes and basil were meant to be together. This simple bruschetta recipe will only take five minutes to make but will taste elegant and refreshing. Summer cocktail party food at its best. I like to use a mixture of roma and heirloom tomatoes, but use the tomatoes available to you that are the freshest and ripest. Of course, if you get thirsty, feel free to wash it down with one of our many drink’s of the week!

Courtesy of: Drinkoftheweek.com

Bruschetta

4 cups chopped tomatoes
8 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
1 red onion, minced
6 tablespoons olive oil (plus some for the bread)
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 focaccia or pugliese loaf, sliced
1 clove of garlic
salt and pepper to taste

Combine chopped tomatoes, basil, onions, olive oil and vinegar in a large bowl. Add salt and pepper to mixture to taste.  Set aside for up to three hours.

Brush the bread lightly with olive oil and put in the oven on broil for about 2 minutes (till slightly browned). Then rub warm bread with the garlic clove. Top bread with mixture and serve. (Or allow guests to top their own bread if it will be sitting out long enough to get soggy.)

This weeks drink reminds me of Hawaii. Plus, with only a couple weeks of summer left, I figured this would be perfect! An island favorite for sitting in the sun, the lava flow is a combination of fresh strawberry puree, coconut, pineapple juice and rum (for flavor). You can make the strawberry puree ahead of time and use left overs on pancakes or ice cream. Enjoy!

Lava Flow

1 1/2oz. Light Rum
2 oz. Pineapple Juice
1 oz. Cream of Coconut
1/2 Banana
1/4 cup Strawberry Puree*
1/2 cup crushed ice

Combine all ingredients in an electric blender with the a cup ice. Blend 20 - 30 seconds. Pour strawberry puree into a hurricane or Collins glass. Follow with the blended mixture. This creates the flow.

Garnish with a pineapple wedge and paper umbrella (of course!)

Strawberry Puree

2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries
1/4 cup sugar
water as needed

Mash strawberries and sugar together and heat in a sauce pan over medium heat. stir until blended and syrupy, add water if it is too stiff.

 A tall, cool collins is my favorite weapon against a hot day. This cocktail was an excuse to use the gin I infused with cucumbers and the basil I’ve been growing in a container on my deck. And it was the most refreshing, satisfying drink I’ve had in a long time. The cucumber gin was extremely easy to make and adds a lightly sweet flavor to the cocktail.

Once so important that the Brittish Navy gave every salior a half-pint a day ration, Rum is made of formented sugar cane or mollasses. It comes in white (clear), gold and dark. The later is essential for making the perfect Mai Tai.

Mai Tai

1 oz. Dark Rum
1 oz. Light Rum
1 oz. Triple Sec
1/2 oz. Lime Juice
1/2 oz. Grenadine
1/2 oz. Orgeat Syrup
Garnish:Â Pineapple & Cherry

Combine ingedients together in a shaker with ice. Serve on the Rocks in an old fashion glass or High ball. Garnish with a pineapple wedge & cherry. Enjoy!

The 4th of July may be over, but refreshing red cocktails are here to stay! This drink gets its bright red hue from raspberries, Campari and blood orange soda. I suggest using Cabo Wabo tequila and blood orange Italian soda. If you can’t find blood orange soda, sub in another natural fruit soda. Happy July! Enjoy!

This week we’re giving the classic mojito a Summertime twist! The idea is to add a twist to a classic cocktail that sends it over the top of cocktail goodness. Strawberries and basil make a great combination each has its own brand of sweetness. The two complimentary flavors are an ideal match for the light and refreshing mojito. What you end up with is a drink that’s perfect for sipping on the porch!

Strawberry Basil Mojito

3 fresh strawberries
3-5 fresh basil leaves
2 oz. simple syrup
2 oz. white rum
crushed ice
club soda

Slice the strawberries and place at the bottom of a tall glass along with the basil leaves. Pour in the simple syrup and muddle the mixture. Stir in the rum and top with crushed ice. Top off with club soda and garnish with strawberry slices.

 Oh my goodness!!! I cannot believe that it is almost the Fourth of July. I must admit, it is my  favorite holiday. I thought in preparation, which every good iron-ranger needs before the fourth. I think this will be the perfect cocktail to prepare us all! Now, rest up, and look out iron range fourth of July, I’m ready!!!!

All American Blue

2 oz. SKYY Vodka
1 oz. Blue Curacao
2 oz. White Grape Juice
Splash of soda

Pour all ingredients except soda in a shaker and shake hard. Pour into a highball glass with the ice and garnish with a lime or green apple slice.

Read more: http://www.drinkoftheweek.com

There is nothing like a nice smooth shot of tequila preceded by salt and followed by a lime, and if shots aren’t your thing, how about a refreshing frozen margarita on a hot summer day? Tequila is the perfect liquor to mix into your favorite fruity cocktails this summer. Be creative, try this raztini, it is delicious. Enjoy!

Raztini

12 fresh raspberries
1/2 ounce prepared agave simple syrup (recipe follows)
Enough ice to fill a cocktail shaker
2 ounces Luna Sueno Blanco Tequila
3/4 ounces White Crème de Cacao
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice

Add nine raspberries and simple syrup to an empty cocktail shaker and muddle well. Add ice, tequila, crème de cacao and lime juice. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with remaining raspberries.