Memorial Monday: Converse All Star Wedges & Tequila Cabeza Cocktails

A Toast to Fallen Soldiers

Barbecues, parties, drinks and the unofficial start of summer. These are the things that come to mind when many people think of Memorial Day. How many stop to consider that the holiday was actually created to honor those died while serving in our armed forces? No matter one's opinions about war and this country's practices therein, I hope you'll take a moment and express gratitude to those who have perished so that you and I may enjoy those freedoms and privileges we do have. Now... what to wear and drink today.

On Your Feet:

It's the last day of the long weekend, and you're probably ready to go pretty low-key. Nonetheless, there are day parties and rooftop celebrations to attend. Flats? No. Wedge sneakers are the move... even better if they look patriotic like this Chuck Taylor All Star Lux sneaker by Converse ($70.00 at Converse.com)

In Your Glass:

It is possible to be grateful for soldiers and their sacrifices while believing that war is something of the devil. So today, when it's time to have a drink, have an El Diablo. 

El Diablo

INGREDIENTS:

13⁄4 oz Tequila Cabeza

3⁄4 oz crème de cassis de Dijon

1⁄2 oz fresh lime juice

1 oz ginger beer

1 lime wheel, for garnish

METHOD:

Build the drink in a collins glass over ice. Pour the tequila, lime juice and ginger beer and finish with crème de cassis. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Booze Clues: 5 Cocktails to Serve at Your Memorial Day BBQ

To Long Weekends...

You're the one in your crew who always knows what to drink (because you read this blog, of course). That's why you're in charge of cocktails at today's barbecue. If you're still wondering what will wow the crowd, here are a few suggestions. From sweet, girly drinks to complex ones that even the guys will love, we have you covered.

Sandra Lee Cocktail Time Strawberry Lemonade (Makes 1 cocktail)

INGREDIENTS 

Ice cubes

4 ounces Sandra LeeCocktail TimeTM Key Lime Margarita

2 ounces strawberry lemonade

1 ounce ginger ale

Sliced lemons

Sliced strawberries

METHOD 

In a small mason jar, combine Sandra Lee Cocktail TimeTMKey Lime Margarita, strawberry lemonade, 1 ounce ginger ale, sliced lemons, ice, and sliced strawberries.

Basil Hayden's Spiced Blueberry Punch 

Created by Debbi Peek (Louisville, KY) (Recipe serves 4-5)

INGREDIENTS
4 parts Basil Hayden's® Bourbon
8 parts Blueberry Juice
8 parts Passion Fruit Juice
Sparkling Wine or Club Soda
15-20 Fresh Mint Leaves
1 bag Frozen Blueberries, for ice ring 

METHOD
Add Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon, blueberry juice, passion fruit juice and mint leaves to a medium sized punch bowl and stir. Add blueberry ice ring*. (See recipe below.) Serve in a cocktail glass and top with club soda or sparkling wine. 

*Blueberry Ice RingFreeze one bag of frozen blueberries with water in a bundt cake pan.Dip frozen ring into hot water for a few seconds to unmold.Place in punch bowl with blueberry side up.

Deleón Platinum Pina

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ oz. DeLeón Platinum tequila

1 oz. fresh pineapple juice

½ oz. fresh lime juice

1 dash of jalapeño syrup

METHOD 

Shake and strain over the rocks in a rocks glass. Garnish with a slice of jalapeño.

Knob Creek Rye Blackhawk

INGREDIENTS
2 parts Knob Creek® Rye Whiskey
1 part DeKuyper® Sloe Gin
1 maraschino cherry for garnish

METHOD
In a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes, combine the whiskey and gin. Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry.

Captain Morgan Palomaloha

(serves 1)

INGREDIENTS
1.5 oz. Captain Morgan Grapefruit Rum
Juice of ½ lime
Grapefruit soda to top

METHOD 
Fill tall glass with ice. Pour in Captain Morgan Grapefruit Rum, lime juice and grapefruit soda. Garnish with grapefruit wedge.