Outdoor Entertaining
Coloring and Cocktails Happy Hour Party
Welcome, friends! As we bid farewell to the lingering chill of winter, there’s an unmistakable sense of celebration on the island. Warm, sunny mornings, leisurely barefoot strolls along the beach, and the long-awaited hum of open coffee shops all contribute to the improvement in the collective mood of those of us who braved the winter here. Finally, it’s time to savor a morning latte as we gear up for the task of transforming our porches, yards, and decks in preparation for the first spring gathering of 2024.
For this event, let’s dive right into the spirit of the season with a flower-themed Coloring and Cocktails Happy Hour Party to celebrate spring. I contemplated a Paint and Sip party, but locating an artist seemed daunting, and some guests would be intimidated by the prospect of painting – but everyone and anyone can color, right? Some spring-inspired cocktails, some fun finger foods, a selection of floral-themed coloring books along with a few boxes of brand-new Crayolas will make for a relaxing, nostalgic afternoon of fun with friends.
Let’s set the stage first. Obviously, we will embrace the spring theme with pastel colors and, of course, some pretty floral arrangements. Unless guests have been briefed on your plan, you’ll need to have a good selection of coloring supplies, such as spring-themed coloring books, colored pencils, markers, and crayons. If you let guests know ahead, you’ll get a wider selection of supplies, but still, I like the idea of keeping the theme a surprise – it’s sure to be a delightful one. Setting up a designated coloring area with tables, chairs, and ample lighting is important. If you begin in the late afternoon and the weather cooperates, there should be plenty of daylight remaining. Be sure to provide a variety of coloring books and sheets. Books with flowers and butterflies are easy to find, and with the popularity of adult coloring, you can find many downloadable sheets online. Most importantly, invest in a few boxes of brand-new crayons that surely will evoke some fond childhood memories. Of course, some might prefer colored pencils and markers, so have a nice supply of those, as well. If you display these in pretty glass jars, they can double as table décor.
Time to discuss the menu. Easy-to-eat finger foods and refreshing cocktails are best. Consider fun spring-themed cocktails like a Berry Bliss Mimosa (Champagne or sparkling wine paired with mixed berry puree) or a Spring Fling Spritzer (a light and bubbly mix of citrus vodka, mint, and sparkling lemonade). For those who prefer a non-alcoholic drink, offer a Lavender Lemonade.
The food should include easy-to-eat selections for the busy coloring guests. I’ll begin with shrimp dip. It is my go-to for parties, and I serve it with little pretzels for dipping. Place a few of these within reach of each of the guests so as not to interrupt the creative process. Next, provide a selection of tea sandwiches. They’re easy to eat and not too messy. Let’s make two varieties. Cucumber with herbed cream cheese on crustless white bread is a classic and will please most, but let’s also offer an interesting prosciutto, apple, and arugula sandwich with a thyme butter spread on sourdough bread for a change. Add to the table some trays of caprese skewers with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze, and that should do it except for a sweet little ending. Mini cupcakes with spring theme-inspired edible flowers for garnish will be perfect. To save time, I’ll use bakery-bought vanilla-frosted mini cupcakes. The edible flower is the special touch friends will long remember.
That’s it. As long as the beverages keep flowing and the crayons are more than just worn-down nubs, the party will continue. We’ve created an enjoyable atmosphere where everyone can unwind and tap into their creativity by bringing back those carefree coloring days of childhood. Cheers to the spring season and the delightful company of friends. Always keep working on your masterpiece!
Caprese Skewers
Ingredients:
Fresh mozzarella balls
Cherry tomatoes
Basil leaves (small or torn in pieces)
Balsamic glaze
Salt
Directions:
In a bowl, drizzle basil leaves with balsamic glaze. Salt the cherry tomatoes. On wooden skewers, alternate tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, beginning and ending with a cherry tomato.
Herbed Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
Ingredients:
12 ounces full-fat cream cheese
1 English cucumber (about 1 pound)
1 small handful of fresh dill
1 small handful of fresh chives
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 loaf sliced white sandwich bread
Directions:
Place 12 ounces cream cheese in a medium bowl and let sit at room temperature until softened. Meanwhile, using a very sharp knife, trim and very thinly slice one large English cucumber crosswise (¹/8-inch thick). Place in a large fine-mesh strainer set over a bowl. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of the kosher salt and toss to combine. Let the cucumbers rest and drain, tossing occasionally, 30 minutes to 1 hour. Mince 1 small handful fresh dill until you have 1½ tablespoons. Mince 1 small handful fresh chives until you have 1½ tablespoons. Add the dill and chives to the cream cheese. Add 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, the remaining ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Stir and fold until evenly combined. Evenly spread 1½ tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture into a square on one slice of the bread, leaving a ½-inch border. Place 15 slices of the cucumbers on top. Close the sandwich with a second slice of bread. Repeat assembling until you have 7 whole sandwiches. Using a serrated knife, cut the crusts off all the sandwiches. From here, you can choose to cut each sandwich in half into rectangles or triangles, or quarter each sandwich to form smaller squares or triangles. Stack on a serving platter.
Spring Themed Cocktails Spring Fling Refresher
Ingredients:
1 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
12 fluid ounces any citrus-infused vodka
1 cup lemonade
Crushed ice
Directions:
Combine mint, vodka, and lemonade. Fill six (6-to-8-ounce) glasses with crushed ice; pour over ice.
Berry Bliss Mimosa
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
½ cup raspberries (fresh or frozen)
½ cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
½ cup blackberries (fresh or frozen)
1 bottle champagne or prosecco
Extra fresh berries for garnish
Directions:
Mix the sugar, water, and 1½ cups of berries in a medium pot. Bring mixture to a boil on medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
Once 20 minutes is up, remove from heat and push through a mesh strainer. Let it cool to room temperature before using. Add 2 tablespoons of this puree to a champagne glass. Fill with prosecco or champagne, leaving about 1 inch of room at the top. Garnish with your favorite berries. Note: The puree recipe makes about 1½ cups, enough for 10-12 mimosas.
Lavender Lemonade
Ingredients:
¼ cup dried lavender flowers
2 cups water
1 cup honey
1 tray ice cubes
1 cup fresh lemon juice
5 cups water
Directions:
Put the dried lavender flowers into a bowl and pour 2 cups of boiling water over them. Add the honey and then allow to steep for about 15-20 minutes. Strain out the lavender flowers. Add ice cubes to a 2-quart pitcher. Pour the honey and lavender mixture into the pitcher. Add the lemon juice and top it off with cold filtered water. Stir and enjoy.
Hot Shrimp Dip
(double batch)
Ingredients:
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons of fresh or dried chives
2 5-ounce cans of tiny shrimp
Snaps pretzels or crackers for dipping (The Snaps pretzels really are best with this if you can find them.)
Directions:
Cream together softened cream cheese, mayonnaise and lemon juice fold in chives, fold in shrimp. Transfer to a small crock. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve with pretzels or crackers.
Prosciutto, Apple, Arugula Tea Sandwiches with Thyme Butter Spread
Ingredients:
Radishes sliced thin (can omit if preferred)
Prosciutto
Brie
Bread. I used sliced sourdough bread, ends trimmed
Thyme butter (softened butter with thyme)
Arugula
Fresh apple slices (thin)
Directions:
Prepare the thyme butter. It’s best to use softened butter here. Allow it to sit on the counter at room temperature before stirring in the thyme. Set aside. Assemble the sandwiches: Begin by spreading the thyme butter on the bread. Add the prosciutto and layer the other ingredients – apple slices, brie, radishes, and arugula. Crust can be left on or trimmed. Cut into squares or triangles and serve.
