Cocktails for Two
After weeks of watching multiple Netflix series and baking loaves of bread, we decided it was time to dedicate some time and energy into our backyard.
My husband, Steve, built raised beds, planted annuals, perennials, herbs and vegetables. Our reward is an outdoor space where we can enjoy our family, social distance with friends and have a space to relax with a cocktail or coffee. Steve is always spending his time outdoors working in our yard or on his long list of projects. He never sits still.
Tonight, I invited Steve to join me in the backyard for our first official Friday Night Cocktail Hour.
The inspiration for our backyard cocktail party came from a very special collection of vintage pink and green china.
My entertaining cues have often come from my Grandmother Katie who used her sterling silver every day. She would always tell me, “never keep your beautiful china, crystal and silver hidden away”.
To her, she and my Grandfather were the most special guests in their home.
To get ready for this little party for two, I created a flower arrangement inspired by the colors in the china patterns. I cut flowers and herbs from our backyard garden and added a flower bunch from my local grocery store to pull together the perfect arrangement. This is a great tip I often use to take simple flowers from “grocery store to gorgeous”!
For our cocktails I picked out the prettiest glasses I have, antique coupe glasses that I picked up at a charming antique shop in Louisville. Did you know cocktails taste better in a fancy glass? Actually, even better when using fancy china. This evening I am serving my version of a Summer Old Fashioned, served neat with a Boozy Cherry in beautiful coupe glass.
Instead of ice which was going to melt anyway I chilled the bottle of W. L. Weller Special Reserve bourbon. The bourbon was a gift from my Dad. He had waited in line for over an hour at his local liquor store to be one of the first for this bottle. I have been waiting for the right time to open it and tonight is just that night.
For bites, I’m serving my special recipe of southern pimento cheese with crackers. My recipe is an interpretation, that came from a taste memory, of my Grandmother’s pimento cheese. It has taken me years to perfect the recipe. While living in Lexington, I ate once at a local deli and had their version of pimento cheese. Theirs tasted just like my Grandmothers. Determined to figure out what the missing ingredient, I asked the owner if he was willing to share their recipe.
After several failed attempts the owner finally gave me the secret, it was Hellman’s Mayonnaise. That was not what I expected to hear considering my Grandmother lived in North Carolina, I thought for sure it would have been Duke’s Mayonnaise. After years of testing and tasting, I have perfected my recipe to rave reviews. Recently I received a call from my neighbor asking if I happen to be making up a batch, she was willing to pay top dollar.
She said it was best she had ever had, better than her southern Grandmothers.
I could not resist making Buttermilk Biscuits topped with Country Ham Pate´, a favorite of Steve’s. What makes this ham salad extra special is Kentucky country ham.
Creating a playful and relaxing evening doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.
Use what you have to create a beautiful setting. Serving drinks and snacks on miss-matched heirloom china and crystal makes a simple event special. After all, your best investment is in the time spent with the ones you love.
PS: Steve asked if we could do this every Friday.
Follow my friend Paige Minear for more fabulous ideas and check out her Cocktails for Two post.
