How to Host a Tequila Tasting Party

 Hello Beauties

Today is my dad’s birthday so I wanted to showcase a festive party idea and what is more festive than Tequila?!  My dad taught me the importance of good tequila and how it should be sipped and enjoyed.  A Tequila tasting should be a long, luxurious event and  it definitely should not be poured from an industrial-sized plastic jug.

Drinks:

A variety of ages and styles will keep eveyone happy

The party will revolve around a bar stocked with various types of tequila.  Tequila Source describes the Five Classes of Tequila and it would be a great conversation starter, framed near the bar or written on a large chalkboard wall in the main party space.

Be sure to include a variety of aged tequila to give the guests the opportunity to pick their favorite.

I personally enjoy Patron tequila but have really enjoyed 1800, Cabo Wabo, Don Julio and Sauza.  Find a great list of the top tequila brands on Brands of Tequila‘s site.

Decor: 

A buffet style table allows guests to eat at their leisure

Muted shades of green and orange against a backdrop of white would be my color palette of choice for this party.  Sleek and modern with Cactus and succulent centerpieces can also double as party favors.

Keep things fun and festive with these amazing Pinatas from Confetti Systems.  You can order them in various shapes and colors.  They come stuffed with confetti but you can always add more treats (like mini bottles of booze, but that’s just me) through the hinged flap.

A Magical Gold Pinata is Always in Style

Food:  

A large array of warm weather snacks would be the perfect pairing to the tequila.  A giant bowl of fresh guacamole and salty tortilla chips would be delicious.  I also would create a taco station, where people can make steak, chicken or veggie tacos in warm corn tortillas.  I always like to have a big green salad at parties for guests that would rather have something a little lighter.

Ceviche is an amazing pairing because the lime juice is a great way to emphasize the flavors of the tequila.  Simply Recipes has a large selection of ceviche recipes but this one made my mouth water.

Ceviche Recipe

Preparation time: 15 minutes to prepare, 3-4 hours to let sit. Always use the freshest fish possible. Make the same day you purchase fresh fish.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs of firm, fresh red snapper fillets (or other firm-fleshed fish), cut into 1/2 inch pieces, completely deboned
  • 1/2 cup of fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 1/2 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 red onion, finely diced
  • 1 cup of chopped fresh seeded tomatoes
  • 1 serrano chili, seeded and finely diced
  • 2 teaspoons of salt
  • Dash of ground oregano
  • Dash of Tabasco or a light pinch of cayenne pepper
  • Cilantro
  • Avocado
  • Tortillas or tortilla chips

Method

In a non-reactive casserole dish, either Pyrex or ceramic, place the fish, onion, tomatoes, chili, salt, Tabasco, and oregano. Cover with lime and lemon juice. Let sit covered in the refrigerator for an hour, then stir, making sure more of the fish gets exposed to the acidic lime and lemon juices. Let sit for several hours, giving time for the flavors to blend.

During the marinating process the fish will change from pinkish grey and translucent, to whiter in color and opaque.

Serve with chopped cilantro and slices of avocado with heated tortillas for ceviche tacos or with tortilla chips.

Serves 4-8.

Remember you can turn this bithday party into any type of event.  This would be a great house warming party, retirement party, bachelor or bachelorette party.  Take the inspiration and alter it to fit almost any occasion.

 What elements would you include at your tasting party?

Signature Cocktail: Girls Night Out

Hello Beauties

It is Friday and that means Girls Night Out!  I will be hitting the town with my girlfriends to celebrate 2 birthdays this evening.  With our jobs, relationships and kids, our girl’s nights aren’t every weekend like they were in college, but when everyone gets together it is well worth the wait. 

First stop is my girlfriend’s townhouse for appetizers, cocktails and giggles.  Then it is off to Tantalum in Long Beach, CA for dinner at 9pm.  Tantalum is a sexy restaurant right on the water and it feels like you are on an exotic vacation while there.  It is a great venue and would work well for engagement parties and bridal showers.

The entryway and lounge area at Tantalum Restaurant in Long Beach, CA

It seems like everyone I know has a go-to cocktail.  I love a fresh, crisp glass of white wine when socializing.  I always want to try the new and exciting, specialty cocktail but it is often too strong for my tastes. 

What is your signature cocktail?  Do you usually order a beer or try something different each time?

Bachelorette Profile- JANAE

I am so excited to premier the MLM Bachelorette Profiles!!  

Each week, a newly engaged bachelorette will have their very own profile letting everyone know what makes their fiance amazing, a few of their favorite things and what type of MLM Bachelorette they are – Bottle Poppin’ Bachelorette, Zen Bachelorette or a Girls Night In Bachelorette.  If you are newly engaged and want to have a personalized profile, be sure to let me know!!

My very first bachelorette is near and dear to my heart.  Her name is Janae and she is engaged to Johnny’s little brother, Ricky.  They met 5 years ago at a Super Bowl party and were soon inseparable ever since.  She describes him as AMAZING :) caring, hardworking and trustworthy, aww.

Ricky popped the question right before Christmas by making an adorable sign, spelling out JANAE, Will You Marry Me? in bright pink lights.  He was waiting outside for her to get home from work and  Once she pulled up next to the sign, Ricky dropped down on one knee and asked her to be his wife.  Once she said yes, her family jumped out of their hiding places to congratulate the happy couple.

Janae loves the ocean and they will be having a September 2012 wedding in beautiful Laguna Beach.  Her signature cocktail is a margarita and she wants to spend her honeymoon drinking them.. where else but at the beach!

 You can find the two love birds riding dirtbikes in Glamis or crusin’ down the Colorado River when the temperature starts to rise.  She loves listening to Adele, munching on sour candy and drinking her fav coffee from Coffee Bean.

Janae is a combination of a Zen Bachelorette and A Girls Night In Bachelorette.  She wants to have a relaxing spa day before throwing an outrageous slumber with all of her best girlfriends.  There will be Italian food, plenty of drinks and crazy games until the sun comes up!!

Love you Janae and I am so happy for you two!!