Memorial Day Party ideas

Let’s kick off the beginning of summer the right way! A long weekend is ahead of us and that means more reasons to get together with friends and family, host a party, eat, drink and have fun!

Below are some entertaining ideas I’m planning for my own festivities.

Watermelon and Feta Salad

Ingredients:

• (1) 7 pound (approximate) seedless watermelon, chilled
• 1 cup fresh chopped mint leaves
• 2 cups crumbled feta cheese
• 1.5 cups honey
• ⅔ cups lime juice
• 2 teaspoons sea salt

Instructions:

• Cut watermelon away from rind and chop into approximately 1 inch cubes. Remove any seeds, if any. Place in colander to drain while you’re preparing dressing.
• Whisk together honey, lime juice and sea salt for the dressing.
• Gently stir watermelon chunks with mint and feta cheese.
• Drizzle dressing over salad; gently stir to incorporate dressing.

Baby Potato Salad

For recipe click here

Grilled Tomato and Mozzarella Sandwiches

For recipe click here

  Buffalo Chicken Burger

For recipe click here

Strawberry Gin Smash

Serves 8

2 tablespoons sugar
2 limes, juiced, about 4 tablespoons
1 pound fresh strawberries
2 cups gin
3 cups club soda
Fresh mint sprigs, to garnish

Muddle the sugar and limes in a pitcher that holds at least 8 cups (64 ounces). Set aside 6 to 8 small strawberries and make a small slice in their tips. Hull and slice the remaining strawberries and muddle the slices lightly with the sugar and lime juice.

Stir in the gin and club soda and pack the pitcher full of ice. Add mint sprigs to garnish. Pour into ice-filled glasses and garnish with a strawberry, slotted onto the edge of the glass.

• Make-Ahead Note: You can make this ahead; mix everything except the club soda and ice, then refrigerate overnight. A night in the fridge will also help the strawberries add more flavor and color to the drink.

Campari Mojito

Serves 8

 

3 packed cups mint leaves, plus more to garnish

1 cup lime juice

1 cup white rum

1 1/2 cups Campari

Crushed ice

16 lime wedges

3 to 4 cups good tonic water, such as Fevertree or Q Tonic

Place the mint leaves with the lime juice and rum in a pitcher. Muddle with a muddler or a wooden spoon for several minutes, crushing the mint and releasing its aroma. Stir in the Campari and refrigerate overnight or until chilled.

To serve, fill 12-ounce highball glasses with crushed ice and squeeze a lime wedge over top. Pour in enough tonic water to fill the glass a quarter full, then pour in the strained Campari mixture. Garnish with a little more tonic water, the second lime wedge, and mint.

Blueberry Lavender Vodka Spritzer

Serves 8

1 cup blueberries, for ice cubes
2 cups vodka
3/4 cup blueberry lavender simple syrup* recipe below
4 ounces lime juice
Soda water
Fresh lavender for garnish

Divide the cup of blueberries between two ice cube trays and fill with water. Freeze completely. OR spread them evenly on a sheet tray and freeze until solid.

In a glass pitcher combine the vodka, simple syrup, lime juice, and club soda. Add ice cubes. Add remaining ice cubes to glasses. Pour the mixture over top and serve with a sprig of lavender.