Thirsty Thursday: BeautyFrosting’s Brandywine Punch

For Thanksgiving this year, I thought it would be cool to create a cocktail that would match my decor. And because I’m me, well, I did just that. The theme? Brandywine, based on the decorative turkey of the same name that I designed my entire Thanksgiving tablescape around (see photo here).

Thirsty Thursday: BeautyFrosting's Brandywine Punch

It was a HIT! So much so, that I whipped it up again for my birthday 70s Soiree the following wee. Now, you can try it for yourself!

BeautyFrosting’s Brandywine Punch

*Makes approx. 12-16 cocktails

1) Sprinkle 1 Tbsp pomegranate seeds in bottom of champagne flutes.

2) In a large beverage container or large pitcher, combine:

1 Bottle of Simply Cranberry

1 Bottle of Simply Apple

1 c BeautyFrosting Brown Sugar Simple Syrup (see below)

1-2 c AppleJack Brandy

1 Bottle Mumm Napa Brut Rosé

Pour cocktail mixture over pomegranate seeds.

Serve with a grateful heart.

BeautyFrosting’s Holiday Brown Sugar Simple Syrup

1 c Brown Sugar

1 c Water

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 tsp Maple syrup

In a small saucepan, combine sugar, cinnamon and water. Simmer over medium heat, constantly stirring until sugar is dissolved. Add in maple syrup. Cool. Pour simple sugar into cocktail of choice. Or store in refrigerator in pyrex or airtight container for up to a month.

Brandywine punch leaves all in good cheer!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What do you sip on Thanksgiving? 

Thirsty Thursday: How2Girl Courtney Bingham-Sixx’s Signature Strawberry Mojito

I had the pinkest pleasure of attending How 2 Girl, Courtney Bingham-Sixx’s Think Pink Ladies Luncheon a few weeks ago at her & her husband, Nikki Sixx’s, gorgeous home in Westlake Village.

All the lovely ladies at How2Girl Courtney Bingham-Sixx's Think Pink Ladies Luncheon

The reason? To team up with Bright Pink Org and honor breast cancer awareness month by raising both awareness and money for breast cancer research.

She had pink cupcakes, a DIY Glam Your Ribbon station and more!

How 2 Girl's DIY Glam Ribbon Station

While the cause was one I’m proud to support and the company was just the sweetest, the cocktails were a sight to behold!

Thirsty Thursday: How2Girl Signature Strawberry Mojito

Thirsty Thursday: How2Girl Courtney Bingham-Sixx's Signature Strawberry Mojito

Here is Courtney’s How2Girl Signature Strawberry Mojito. Courtney says, “This refreshing combo of fresh fruit and fizz will have you feeling like you are at a spa on a tropical vacation, without having to leave the house.”

Here’s what you’ll need:

 

2 c SodaStream Strawberry Soda

6 strawberries quartered

1/2 bunch mint leaves

3 large limes

1 c white sugar

1 c rum

8 c crushed ice

raspberries for garnish

How2Girl’s Directions:

  1. Pour 1/4 to 1/2 inch of sugar onto a small, shallow plate. Run one of the lime quarters around the rim of each cocktail glass, then dip the glasses into the sugar to rim; set aside.
  2. Whip out your SodaStream, and make yourself a batch of Strawberry Soda.
  3. Squeeze all of the lime quarters into a sturdy glass pitcher. Toss the juiced limes into the pitcher along with the mint, strawberries, and 1 cup of sugar. Crush the fruits together with a muddler, to release the juices from the strawberries and the oil from the mint leaves. Stir in the rum and Strawberry Soda until the sugar has dissolved. Pour into the sugared glasses over ice cubes, add in a raspberry and enjoy!

xoxo,
BF
BF Asks: What’s your current favorite cocktail? 

Thirsty Thursday: The McCoy Girls’ Prickly Pear Cider Punch

Sometimes the simplest thing can seem the most complicated.

After serving punches for years at my own parties, I’ve noticed that a lot of people seem daunted when it comes to party punches and beverages. They taste my punches and tell me, “Oh, I’m just not as creative as you” or “I just don’t have the time to come up with punch recipes.” Yes, you do. I promise.

In actuality, punches are easy! And, like a witch’s brew, you can throw in any array of ingredients and come up with a perfectly pleasing punch.

That was exactly the case with this week’s Thirsty Thursday: Prickly Pear Cider Punch. I was craving cider when my mom and I spotted a Prickly Pear sparkling soda at Central Market in Dallas. We thought that it would be a great inspiration for a fall beverage. And it was!

And thus, a super easy new punch recipe for all was born!

The McCoy Girls’ Prickly Pear Cider Punch

Thirsty Thursday: Prickly Pear Cider Punch

1 part Apple Cider of choice

2 parts Prickly Pear Italian Soda (I prefer the Central Market Organics)

*For a little spirit in your punch, substitute 1 part champagne or sparkling wine for 1 part soda

Serve in cute flute or goblet, garnish with a colorful fall leaf and cinnamon stick and presto! A fabulous fall punch in seconds!

A pleasing fall punch in a pinch!

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: What’s your super simple go-to punch recipe in a pinch?

Thirsty Thursday: Pampelonne Rosé Lime

Thirsty Thursday: Pampelonne Rosé Lime

Well, I’m getting into the spirit of Palm Springs because I’m headed there TWICE in the next three weeks!
I was sent some Pampelonne Rosé Lime ($4.99/can) to try a while ago and just broke it out today because I thought it would be the ultimate spring cocktail…especially on this – the hottest of spring days.

Inspired by the spirit and sophistication of the French Riviera, this sparkling wine beverage is perfect for quenching your thirst while making you feel as bubbly as it is. A super-light Muscadet blend with notes of key lime, grapefruit and passion fruit, it’s refreshing as you sip poolside, enjoy after a long bike ride on the beach or enjoy on a romantic picnic for two. BF tip? Be sure to pair with a pretty paper straw. The cocktail becomes even cuter.

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What’s your choice of a cool beverage on a hot summer day? 

Thirsty Thursday: All You Need Is Love GLITTER Gift Set from One Hope Wine – VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL!!!

For Thirsty Thursday today, I am featuring the ULTIMATE Valentine’s Day gift for your love, lover or laugh-buddy. Y’all know I’m a big fan of One Hope Wine and One Hope at Home because they do good out there and make gooooood products.

But when you add in red glitter à la Dorothy? Baby-oh-baby, I’m OBSESSED!

Thirsty Thursday: One Hope Wine's All You Need Is Love GLITTER Gift Box Set ($129)

 

Benefitting the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign (with One Hope Wine donating half of the profits of every purchase), you can fill your heart with joy and help the hearts of women everywhere. The All You Need Is Love GLITTER gift box from One Hope Wine ($129) is filled with the things I love best  – and the things I DEFINITELY need as a single gal in the city on Valentine’s Day.

What’s that, you ask? Wine. Chocolate. Candles. Glitter. Specifically, One Hope Wine’s Limited Edition red glitter bottle of North Coast Reserve Pinot Noir, B.Toffee dark chocolate and an exquisite Voluspa candle with sensual scents of goji berry and ripe mango. And get ’em while you can cuz they’re only selling 100 of these beauties!!

Get em while you can - they're only selling 100 of these beauties!!!!

Right now, One Hope Wine is offering an All You Need is Love GLITTER gift set for for a limited time only for only $129. But, BUUUUUT, as a BeautyFrosting reader you can get 30% off TODAY ONLY with the code GORED! Get it for your lover, your friend or heck, yourself! That’s what I’m gonna do! Happppppy Vaaaaaaalentine’s to meeeee!

Some not-so-sweet stats:
Risk Factors
– 90% of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease
– While 1 in 31 women dies of breast cancer each year, 1 in 3 dies of heart disease
The Good News!
Tomorrow, Feb 7 is National Wear Red day.  Since the first wear red day 10 years ago, 21% fewer women are dying of heart disease, and 21% more are aware that it’s their number 1 health threat.  Planning a party with Hope at Home can help make a difference!

 

xoxo,

BF

 

BF Asks: What red frocks are you gonna don tomorrow for National Wear Red Day?

Thirsty Thursday: Sofia Blanc de Blancs 2012

Without fail – at every single birthday party I have – at least one friend brings me a bottle of my favorite, feminine bubbly, Sofia Blanc de Blancs by Coppola Winery ($19). So I thought it was about time I featured my favorite celebratory sparkly on Thirsty Thursday here on BeautyFrosting.

 

My favorite, feminine beautiful bubbly: Sofia Blanc de Blancs

 

 

 

With a pink cellophane wrapping styled to resemble a peony, my excitement over the bubbly treat begins with the first glance. I usually debate unwrapping it for weeks simply because I love how it looks in the cellophane.

Pretty like a peony - Sofia Blanc de Blancs in its pink cellophane

I also love the story behind it that when his daughter Sofia was a little girl, director Francis Ford Coppola promised her that he would one day make a sparkling wine named after her. And he did just that. Now, THAT’S how to be a good daddy!So the Sofia namesake sparkling wine that we get today is as pretty, girly and feminine as his little girl was then. Of course now Sofia Coppola is a super talented director so that inherently adds a bit of coolness to this bubbly, too.
Both sophisticated and a bit sweet, this bubbly treat features notes of honey-drenched apples and pears with a hint of citrus and vanilla bean. Perfect for drinking a glass before a night out on the town or for pairing with your favorite slice of birthday cake.

Sofia Blanc de Blancs - Pairs perfectly with cake

Just as I am a fan of both Francis Ford Coppola and Sofia Coppola, I will always be a giddy schoolgirl when it comes to my love of this pretty, pink bottle which always leaves me saying –
Perhaps just one more glass…

I'm all out. Perhaps just one more glass…

Thirsty Thursday: BeautyFrosting’s Pineapple Upside Down Cake Champagne Cocktail

Last Thursday, I had a photo shoot here at The Cupcake Palace and, well, I wanted to socially lubricate myself a bit with a mid-day cocktail for the shoot. Don’t judge. I only had one and I must say it did make me feel a bit more photogenic.

I looked in the fridge for inspiration and inspiration found me: Dole Pineapple Juice, One Hope California Brut Sparkling Wine ($19.99) and Ole Smoky Moonshine Cherries. Add a little splash of vanilla extract (which chronic bakers like me always have on hand) and thus, this week’s Thirsty Thursday concoction was born.

So here is my little Pineapple Upside Down Cake Champagne Cocktail for you to enjoy – before a photo shoot, a fun-filled day or maybe even just while soaking in a foam-filled tub.

 

BeautyFrosting’s Pineapple Upside Down Cake Champagne Cocktail

Thirsty Thursday: Pineapple Upside Down Cake Champagne Cocktail (and I love these "Simply stunning…" napkins my Mom got me for Christmas from Homegoods - soooo fun!!)

4 ozs ONEHOPE California Brut Sparkling Wine 

4 ozs Dole Pineapple Juice

2 Ole Smoky Moonshine Cherries 

1 splash Vanilla Extract

Grab your favorite champagne flute (or, I suppose, a regular cocktail glass will do). Drop in a moonshine cherry at the bottom. Fill with 4 ozs pineapple juice and top with 4 ozs champagne. Add a splashStab a cherry with a party pic and place on top or rest on side of glass. Pineapple Upside Down Cake Champagne Cocktail in a glass.

Party for one, please.

xoxo,
BF

 

BF Asks: What was your favorite drink or punch this week? 

Thirsty Thursday: BF & One Hope’s Spiced Apple Cider Mimosa

When I was trying to decide what my signature cocktail would be for my “Come As You Were…or WISH You Were In High School” birthday party, I was a bit overwhelmed. I wanted it to involve the bubbly (I mean what’s a birthday without champagne), have a wintry component (because my party this year was sandwiched between a slew of holiday parties) and be something that my guests would never forget.

That’s where One Hope Wine and Hope at Home stepped in to help.

One Hope Wine & Hope At Home saved that day…well, at least my party!

 

They have a slew of cocktail recipes and fab pics on OneHopeWeddings.com where you can find the PERFECT cocktail to accompany your perfect party.
For mine, I opted for the Apple Cider Mimosa.

One Hope's Apple Cider Mimosa

But to make it my own whimsical winter wonderland-fitting libation, I “tweaked” it a bit by substituting Captain Morgan Spiced Rum  in place of the scotch.

And you know what really made me feel good about it? For every bottle of One Hope California Brut Sparkling Wine ($18.99) sold, a hungry child is connected with 10 healthy meals. Drinking for a good cause? It’s like two of my favorite things on the planet just married one another.

It. Was. Perfect. Everyone was raaaaaving about it and asking for the recipe.

 

A few of my guests (Jennifer & Rahiel from Spoiled Little LA Girls) & I sippin' on our BF & One Hope Spiced Apple Cider Mimosas! Photography by Takahiro Watanabe Photography

More guests - Jen and Jennie - sippin' their One Hope cider cocktail… Photo by Guerrero Photography

 

Yep. It’s exactly what I wanted.

Enjoying my 2nd glass (!!!) of One Hope Spiced Apple Cider Mimosa. Don't judge, people. It was my BIRTHDAY!!! Photo by Guerrero Photography

So now you can enjoy it at your holiday or winter party!

If you need a little extra party guidance, Hope At Home has you covered. See, Hope At Home is magical when it comes to making a party pop. They offer private wine tasting parties where 15% of the sales go back to the non-profit or school of your choice. What could be a more fun – and philanthropic – way to celebrate this holiday season? And what a fun way to raise funds for your organization!!

 BF & One Hope’s Spiced Apple Cider Mimosa

 

BF & One Hope's Spiced Apple Cider Mimosa - photo courtesy of OneHopeWeddings.com

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total: 10
Serves: 1

Ingredients
1 tsp brown sugar
1 ounce spiced rum (I used Captain Morgan)
2 ounces fresh apple cider
4 ounces ONEHOPE Sparkling Wine
Apple slices for garnish

Directions
Combine brown sugar, spiced rum and apple cider in a flute.
Top with ONEHOPE Sparkling wine and garnish with fresh apple slices.

 

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: What charity, school or organization would benefit from your Hope At Home wine tasting party?

Thirsty Thursday: Charlotte’s AppleJack Brandy Cider

This past Sunday, I hosted an intimate gift wrapping party for my friend, Lindsey, and I. The ultimate girly, holiday-prepping day, I had to serve Christmas cookies and, of course, Charlotte’s Cider. Whenever I make this cider, I think of Christmas in Nashville.

See, I lived in Nashville for 4 years and one year I couldn’t make it home to Dallas for Christmas. I was busy, my mom was sick and it just wasn’t the time to go. So I spent Christmas with my neighbors and it ended up being one of the most memorable Christmases I ever celebrated.

One of my best friends, Charlotte Cooper, made this delicious cider and we drank mugs of it all night long as we went caroling door-to-door in East Nashville.

Sometimes the unexpected Christmases that end up making the sweetest memories.

I hope this cider can be part of your holiday memories this year! Enjoy…

Thirsty Thursday: Charlotte's AppleJack Brandy Cider - perfect for the holidays!

Charlotte’s AppleJack Brandy Cider 

Perfect for the Holidays and Has an extra kick!

2 1.5 liters Martonelli Apple Cider

1/4 cup orange juice

2 ts lemon zest

2 ts orange zest

1/4 cup brown sugar

4 cinnamon sticks

whole cloves

4 whole allspice berries

Dash of nutmeg

Dash of salt

1 Bottle Apple Jack Brandy

 

Bring to boil on medium high. Then turn to medium low and simmer for 30 minutes.

After simmering 30 minutes, add 1 bottle Apple Jack Brandy (Laird’s).

The ingredients...

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What beverage gets you into the holiday spirit? 

Thirsty Thursday: Olivina Milk & Honey Collection

Thirsty Thursday: Olivina Milk & Honey Collection

I once had an old boyfriend who loved the smell of a honey & milk body wash more than anything…and I loved the scent on him. It smelled like honey and cream and baby freshness. I used to just curl up in that sweet smell…but I digress.

To both of our dismay, the company discontinued it unexpectedly.  I looked for it everywhere to no avail.

Well, I was slathering on Olivina Milk & Honey Hand & Body Lotion the other day and that same ex was here (don’t get excited, now, were BFFs now – no funny business). But both he and Miss Ellie (my pup) smelled the lotion and they did a double take. See, it reminded us all of his old, beloved body wash.

As for me, it’s the perfect lotion to apply right before bedtime as it reminds me of a warm cup of cream tea with honey…and misty, watercolored memories, of course. Plus, with shea butter, olive oil and grape seed extract, it richly hydrates my skin leaving me silky, smooth and velvety. Perfect for drifting off to dream…

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What beloved product was discontinued on you?