(BPT) – Looking to throw an all-out summer soiree that is bound to be the talk of the neighborhood? Or maybe just an intimate barbecue with some of your friends? Don’t be afraid to explore new ideas for hosting your summer party, showing off your hosting skills to all your friends.

Try some of the tips and tricks at a new Paramount Citrus website dailysqueeze.com to guarantee your gathering will be a summer blockbuster to remember.

* Get your grill on: Now is the time to tune up the grill. Creative grilling starts before your meat and veggies hit the heat, and a splash of citrus flavor is just what they need to stand out among the crowd. Find ways to add an extra kick of flavor to any barbecue dish at dailysqueeze.com. Add the tang of freshly squeezed lemon juice to chicken marinades and the kick of lime zest to spicy dry rubs for steak and chops.

* Shake up some cocktails: Grab a variety of spirits with a few favorite mixers. Place them in a designated area of the room along with lemons and limes for garnishes. This will take the burden off you to feel required to replenish your guests’ drinks and let you enjoy your party. If you’re looking for that perfect summer refreshment and a signature drink for your party, try making this simple yet delicious lime cooler from Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger of Los Angeles’ acclaimed Border Grill.

Minty Lime Cooler

Makes 2 servings

• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice from a Paramount Citrus lime 
• 1/3 cup sugar 
• 1/2 cup packed mint leaves 
• 1 (12 ounce) bottle cold sparkling water 
• lime slices and mint sprigs for garnish

Combine the lime juice, sugar and mint in a blender. Puree until smooth. Fill two tall glasses half-full with ice cubes. Pour half of the lime juice concentrate in each. Top with sparkling water, garnish with lime and mint and serve.

For a Mojito, adults can pour 1 ounce white rum into tall glass with ice, and top with Minty Lime Cooler.

* Choose a theme: Everyone loves a good party theme. Pick a food theme like southern barbecue or Mexican. Or choose a theme for attire such as “all white” or “summer hats.” Ambiance is also key, since it will set the tone of any party. Invest in some fun patio lights, lanterns or tiki torches to place around your yard if you plan to utilize your outside space.

* Don’t forget the kids: If you know children will attend your party, have kid-friendly items ready for them to play with such as chalk or bubbles. Better yet, rent a bounce house. The kids are sure to entertain themselves for hours while parents can take a break and enjoy the party.

With these tips, your summer soiree will be the talk of your neighborhood, and your friends will be sure to request an encore performance next summer.

Be sure to visit www.dailysqueeze.com for additional recipes.

The post Tips and tricks for your next summer soiree appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Here are a few of our favorites that are sure to put a “spring” in your step!

Kiwi Berry Caipiroska (cocktail)

This is a very simple addition to the classic Caipiroska recipe, with a fabulous color, and a lovely spring flavor. A nice variation on this drink is to add vanilla-infused caster sugar.

Ingredients:

• 45 mls (1 ½ oz) 1 ½ parts 42BELOW Kiwifruit
• 10 mls (1/3 oz) 1/3 part gomme or simple syrup
• 4 strawberries, hulled and chopped
• 4 wedges of lime

Recipe:

In a Mixing glass, muddle the limes and strawberries together with the sugar syrup. Add 42BELOW Kiwifruit, and fill with ice. Shake vigorously, and pour all into a Rocks glass.

Garnish:

With a chubby little strawberry

Green Grape Glacier (mocktail)

Kids and grown ups alike love this grapey glass of sunshine. It’s not only yummy but good for you too!

Ingredients:

• 12 seedless green grapes
• 4 oz white grape juice
• 4 oz cold sparkling water

Recipe:

Freeze the grapes until hard. Combine 10 frozen grapes and grape juice in a blender and process about 20 seconds, or until smooth and thick. Pour the grape mix into a highball glass. Add the sparkling water. Stir gently.

Garnish:

Top with the remaining 2 frozen grapes.

Sejuicer (cocktail)

A tropical blend of Kiwi and mango juice, lengthened with the aroma of fresh mint.

Ingredients:

• 30 mls (1 oz) 1 part 42BELOW Kiwifruit
• 1 mint sprig
• 150 mls (5 oz) 5 parts mango juice

Recipe:

Fill a Highball glass with ice, and add 42BELOW Kiwifruit and mango juice.

Garnish:

With a mint sprig

Sea Breeze (mocktail)

You’ll be on your way to paradise with this light and fruity drink!

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup grapefruit juice
• 1/2 cup cranberry juice
• cracked ice

Recipe:

Shake all ingredients in cocktail shaker and pour.

Garnish:

Add a slice of lime and cherry for an extra splash of color.

Beyond Compear (cocktail)

Delicious is the only word needed to describe this drink!

Ingredients:

• 30 mls (1 oz) 1 part 42BELOWKiwifruit
• Dash of Disaronno amaretto
• 150 mls (5 oz) 5 parts pear juice
• 8 mint leaves
• Mint sprig to garnish

Recipe:

Fill a Highball glass with crushed ice, add mint leaves, 42BELOW Kiwifruit, amaretto, and top with pear juice.  ‘Churn’ using a bar-spoon.

Garnish:

With a mint sprig

Cranberry Sparkler (mocktail)

Put a little spark into your next spring fling!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cranberry juice
• 1/2 cup club soda or Sprite
• dash lime juice
• ice

Recipe:

Place ice at bottom of glass. Pour in cranberry juice, followed by club soda. Top with a quick squirt of lime juice and stir.

Garnish:

Add a slice of lime to the glass.

Honey Julep (cocktail)

A twist on the classic Mint Julep, given a tropical sweetness with fresh pineapple, in the style of the famous ‘Monk Antrim’s Julep’. The Monk was a famous bartender who kept watch at Luzon’s Hotel in Manila in the 1930s.

Ingredients:

• 30 mls (1 oz) 42BELOW Manuka Honey
• 15 mls (1/2 oz) pineapple juice
• 15 mls (1/2 oz) ½ part gomme or simple syrup
• 6 chunks of pineapple
• 12 mint leaves
• Dash of Angostura bitters

Recipe:

In a Highball glass, muddle together the pineapple and mint with simple syrup, and add spirits and juice. Fill with crushed ice and ‘churn’ before serving.

Garnish:

With a pineapple chunk and a mint sprig

Mai Tai (mocktail)

Craving something a little more exotic, give the Mai Tai a try. This slightly sour, slightly sweet and citrusy drink will send your taste buds on vacation.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup cranberry juice
• 1 Tablespoon lime juice
• crushed ice

Recipe:

Place crushed ice at the bottom of glass. Pour ingredients, stir, and serve.

Garnish:

Float a thin slice of pineapple on the top of the glass. Consider adding an umbrella for a bit of extra fun.

 Passion Sangria (cocktail)

A Sangria, or ‘little blood’, is a classic ‘punch’ from Andalusia, the baking hot region of southern Spain. Many of the local wines produced in this region were often thin and prone to oxidation. Combining them with the fruits and juices of a particular village made the wine go further, and also made the wines more palatable.

Poor wine is less of an issue for the modern bartender, and now we can craft Sangria that showcases the fruit flavors of wines like rose, or using the sangria as a ‘punch’ blueprint, in the case of this delicious Passion Sangria. This can also be made in large batches for parties, or as a ‘house punch’ for bars that offer early evening drink specials.

Ingredients:

• 30 mls (1 oz) 1 part 42BELOW Passionfruit
• 90 mls (3 oz) 3 parts rosé wine
• 90 mls (3 oz) 3 parts soda water
• 10 mls (1/3 oz) 1/3 part gomme or simple syrup
• 6 slices of summer fruit, eg nectarines or orange
• 8 mint leaves
• Orange slice to garnish

Recipe:

Fill a Collins glass with ice, and add fruits and mint leaves. Add 42BELOW Passionfruit, wine and simple syrup. Stir well, and keep stirring as you add soda water, until well mixed.

Garnish:

With an orange slice and serve

Banana Colada (mocktail)

If you like coconut and banana, this twist on the classic Pina Colada is right up your alley.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup crushed ice
• 1 banana
• 3/4 cup pineapple juice
• 2 Tablespoons coconut creme

Recipe:

Add all ingredients to blender. Blend until smooth and icy.

Garnish:

Be creative!

Find other 42Below cocktail recipes available at www.42below.com

The post Spring Cocktails and Mocktails appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.