Porch Parties: Cocktail Recipes and Easy Ideas for Outdoor Entertaining
By Denise Gee and Robert M. Peacock
()
About this ebook
Read more from Denise Gee
Southern Casseroles: Comforting Pot-Lucky Dishes Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Southern Appetizers: 60 Delectables for Gracious Get-Togethers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSouthern Cocktails: Dixie Drinks, Party Potions, and Classic Libations Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSweet on Texas: Loveable Confections From the Lone Star State Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Porch Parties
Related ebooks
Picnics: Delicious Recipes for Outdoor Entertaining Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Art of Picnics: Seasonal Outdoor Entertaining (Picnic Ideas, Party Cooking, Outdoor Entertainment) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStunning Spreads: Easy Entertaining with Cheese, Charcuterie, Fondue & Other Shared Fare Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsParty Appetizers: Small Bites, Big Flavors Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Potent Punches: The Retro Guide to the Original Party Drink Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Big Book of Casseroles: 250 Recipes for Serious Comfort Food Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Everything Fondue Party Book: Cooking Tips, Decorating Ideas, And over 250 Crowd-pleasing Recipes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCocktails Cookbook Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDurgin-Park Cookbook: Classic Yankee Cooking in the Shadow of Faneuil Hall Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Homemade Pasta Dough Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMastering the Art of Southern Cooking Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Nashville Eats: Hot Chicken, Buttermilk Biscuits, and 100 More Southern Recipes from Music City Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Tagine: Spicy stews from Morocco Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Buttercream Dreams: Small Cakes, Big Scoops, and Sweet Treats Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCast-Iron Cooking for Two: 75 Quick and Easy Skillet Recipes Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Easy Thanksgiving Cookbook: A Collection of Tasty Thanksgiving Recipes for an Amazing Dinner. Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGood Housekeeping Super Salads: 70 Fresh and Simple Recipes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Ultimate Cake Mix Cookie Book: Delicious Shortcut Cookies for Busy Bakers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Dessert Book Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5SOUTHERN LIVING Best Southern Desserts: 205 Cakes, Pies, Cookies, Cobblers & More Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5America's Best Recipes Comfort Food: 150 Made-with-love family favorite recipes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTaste of Home Happy Hour Mini Binder: More Than 100+ Cocktails, Mocktails, Munchies & More Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSlushed!: More Than 150 Frozen, Boozy Treats for the Coolest Happy Hour Ever Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Perfect Pops: The 50 Best Classic & Cool Treats Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCooking Light Slow Cooker Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Southern Routes: Secret Recipes from the Best Down-Home Joints in the South Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/530 Mouthwatering Cake & Cookie Traditional Recipes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Mississippi Cookbook Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Candy Making for Kids Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5So Sweet!: Cookies, Cupcakes, Whoopie Pies, and More Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Beverages For You
Backyard Homesteading: A Back-to-Basics Guide to Self-Sufficiency Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Detox Juicing: 3-Day, 7-Day, and 14-Day Cleanses for Your Health and Well-Being Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Unofficial Disney Parks Drink Recipe Book: From LeFou's Brew to the Jedi Mind Trick, 100+ Magical Disney-Inspired Drinks Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWild Fermentation: The Flavor, Nutrition, and Craft of Live-Culture Foods, 2nd Edition Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5WitchCraft Cocktails: 70 Seasonal Drinks Infused with Magic & Ritual Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fancy Af Cocktails: Drink Recipes from a Couple of Professional Drinkers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe 24-Hour Wine Expert Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Bartending For Dummies Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Joy of Home Distilling: The Ultimate Guide to Making Your Own Vodka, Whiskey, Rum, Brandy, Moonshine, and More Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBlackthorn's Botanical Brews: Herbal Potions, Magical Teas, and Spirited Libations Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Craft Coffee: A Manual Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bar Book: Elements of Cocktail Technique Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Distilling Made Easy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDüngeonmeister: 75 Epic RPG Cocktail Recipes to Shake Up Your Campaign Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Simply Smoothies: 200 Refreshing Drinks for Life, Health, and Fun Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Eat To Live Diet: The Ultimate Step by Step Cheat Sheet on How To Lose Weight & Sustain It Now Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Wild Tea: Grow, gather, brew & blend 40 ingredients & 30 recipes for healthful herbal teas Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Eat Like a Gilmore: The Unofficial Cookbook for Fans of Gilmore Girls Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Ultimate Bar Book: The Comprehensive Guide to Over 1,000 Cocktails Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Good Living Guide to Medicinal Tea: 50 Ways to Brew the Cure for What Ails You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Fully Raw Diet: 21 Days to Better Health, with Meal and Exercise Plans, Tips, and 75 Recipes Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Make Coffee: The Science Behind the Bean Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Geeky Chef: Drinks Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMocktails Made Me Do It: 60 Delightful Cocktails for the Mindful Drinker Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Complete Cocktail Manual: 285 Tips, Tricks & Recipes Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Porch Parties
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Porch Parties - Denise Gee
PORCH PARTIES
Porch Parties
Cocktail Recipes and Easy Ideas for Outdoor Entertaining
by Denise Gee
Photographs by Robert M. Peacock
CHEERS TO...
All our family and friends who we hope to be seeing on our porch—and their porches—very soon.
DEDICATED TO
The good people of historic Winnetka Heights in Dallas, Hyde Park in Tampa, and all other porch-centric communities for preserving the joy of architecture and neighborly camaraderie.
Contents
Introduction: Come Sit For a Spell
Chapter No. 1: Porch Party Pointers
Comfort and Joy: Porch Decor and ambiance
Hooray For the Buffet: Planning Ideas
Go Figure: Party Planning Checklist
Bar Necessities: Setting Up the Bar
Glass with Class: Consider the Drink and the Glass
Be a Garnish God(Dess): Festive Drink Embellishments
Simply Delicious: Simple Syrups
Nice Ice: Novel Ice Ideas
Centers of attention: Beautiful and Easy Centerpiece Ideas
Chapter No. 2: Convivial Cocktails
Apple Martini
Blood Orange Martini
Strawberry Martini
Concord Grape Martini
Green Tea ’Tini
Best. Margarita. Ever
Minty Mango Margi
Banana Daiquiri
Piña Colada
Sublime Cuba Libre
Prosecco Mojito
Gumby Slumber
Brunch Bloody Mary
Pear Mimosa
Tipsy Tea with Homemade Sweet Tea
Watermelon Cooler
Blackberry Smash
Pomegranate Pimm’S Cup
Michelada
Peppermint Twist
Bellini
Pitcher of Juleps
Ruby Sangria
Chapter No. 3: Punch with Pizzazz
Blush Punch
Hibiscus Punch
Lemon Sherbet Punch
Classic Wedding Punch
Very Good Champagne Punch
Cape Cod Punch
Rum Yum Punch
Natchez Milk Punch
Bourbon Slush
Chapter No. 4: Think Frocktails Not Mocktails
Agua Fresca de Honeydew
June Bug
Strawberry Thrill
Mango Lassi
Minted Raspberry Iced Tea
Arnold Palmer
Classic Lemonade
Ginger Lemonade
Luscious Limeade
Indian Summer
Blueberry Shrub
Nojito
Roy Rogers
Shirley Temple
Chapter No. 5: Little Bites
Cheery Tomatoes with Jalepeño-Pimiento Cheese
Greek Crostini
Baby Crab Cakes with Lemon-Garlic aioli
Cool-as-a-Cucumber Smoked Salmon Sandwiches
Shrimp and Tomato Salad
Red-Deviled Eggs with Crispy Bacon Crumbles
Fig and Walnut Brie
Asparagus-Prosciutto Puffs
Creamy Orange Fruit Dip
Sources
Permissions
Index
Table of Equivalents
Introduction
COME SIT FOR A SPELL.
There's something instantly relaxing about a porch, where—in your own home, a friend's home, or a favorite rental cottage—you can relax in your own little world.
Perhaps that’s just having your feet propped up while you sway in a swing. Or being able to lean back in an Adirondack chair, drink in hand, while savoring both the beverage and the aroma of dinner wafting out from the kitchen. In these hurried days, such scenarios are priceless.
The true height of enjoyment, though, is to share that experience with friends and family. On such occasions, festive drinks (Pomegranate Pimm’s Cup, anyone?) and uncomplicated but interesting food (care for some Greek Crostini?) are a must. And that’s what this book is about—giving you the tools you need to extend such an invitation and fulfill it effortlessly and brilliantly.
Beyond that, this book is also about setting a party stage with the right decor and ambiance. Nowadays there are plenty more options than just porch swings, basic wood fans, and rockers. How about swinging porch beds, fireplaces, outdoor rugs, and living room furniture? With all of that, one could practically live outside. I really could. Actually, I have.
While I was growing up near Natchez, Mississippi, our family owned property on nearby Lake Concordia that had a unique structure; a giant enclosed screened building that we called the Porch.
Technically it wasn’t a porch because it was freestanding, but its purpose was all porch. Though it no longer stands (it was torn down to build a house atop the site), I can close my eyes and am instantly transported there.
I hear the screen door’s rusty springs as I head inside. There’s the oversize fireplace, bar, and full-size refrigerator-freezer: the strings of party lights and the slow-moving, moaning ceiling fans: the musty chaise lounges where we’d read or nap, the big