Easy Fourth of July Entertaining Ideas

I was on WAVE-3 today, talking about few refreshing ideas for the holiday weekend! I shared some fun, simple cocktails and mocktails and a simple watermelon salsa recipe! Thanks to 5WPR and The Pioneer Woman Cookware for gifting me the serveware and spice blends used in these recipes!

The Pioneer Woman’s Watermelon Salsa

This recipe is so easy! Y’all know I’m all about keeping the hostess out of the kitchen so she can enjoy her guests. This recipe can be put together quickly and prepped ahead of time. You’ll need cubed watermelon, diced red onion, diced bell peppers, jalapeños, cilantro and fresh limes. Then you’ll throw all the fresh ingredients into a large bowl and toss it together and add lime juice to top. You can also add The Pioneer Woman’s “Anything Goes Everyday Seasoning” which will just add a nice boost of flavor. This spice has a blend of sea salt, celery, pepper, onion, garlic and a touch of lemon zest which will really just spruce this up even more. You can serve with tortilla chips or as a side dish with grilled chicken.

• 1/2 whole small seedless watermelon, diced

• 1/2 whole red onion, diced

• 1 whole red bell pepper, seeded and diced

• 1 whole green bell pepper, seeded and finely diced

• 1 whole yellow bell pepper, seeded and finely diced

• 2 whole jalapeños, seeded and finely diced

• 1 whole bunch cilantro, chopped

• Juice Of 1 To 2 limes

• 1/2 tsp. The Pioneer Woman Anything Goes Everyday Seasoning Blend

Directions:

Serve with chips, on top of grilled chicken or fish, or as a side salad!

Kentucky Mule

I like to use Maker’s Mark in a mule; I find that the sweetness of a high-wheat bourbon like Maker’s works well with the spiciness of a Ginger Beer. I also used Reed’s Ginger Beer. This brand creates all-natural REAL ginger ales and ginger beers and they now have several zero sugar options so you don’t have to sacrifice great taste with heathier alternatives. Reed’s Ginger Beer is crafted with REAL fresh ginger root, natural fruit juices, honey and spices for the perfect kick which is great on its own and mixed into cocktails.

• 2 oz Maker’s Mark

• 6 oz Reed's Zero Sugar Ginger Beer or Reed’s Ginger Beer

• Lime wedge

Fill your desired glass with ice. Squeeze the lime wedge over the ice and drop into the glass. Pour in bourbon and add the Reed’s Ginger Beer. Stir lightly and garnish with another lime wedge, if desired.

Mocktails

Another great summer beverage option is Virgil’s Zero Sugar Sodas. Virgil’s has unlocked the secret to great taste with zero sugar using a proprietary blend of sweeteners. They have a variety of bold, complex flavors including their newest flavor, Grapefruit, which is crisp and tangy! I like to play with the texture flavored sodas as sushies or over crushed Ice to create fun drinks at summer get-togethers. Don’t forget garnishes like mint and lime to add extra zing to the drink!

Cheers, y’all!

Eat Y'all Connect Dinner at Star Hill Provisions

“If it wasn’t for food, we’d all be dead. And if it wasn’t for Southern food, we’d all be bored.”

— Andy Chapman, co-founder of Eat Y’all

There are few things better than a trip to Maker’s Mark Distillery and a fantastic meal at Star Hill Provisions. Maker’s is one of my very favorite distillery trips, and the food at Star Hill is always fantastic! I was so excited to hear about an upcoming dinner at Star Hill Provisions that showcases some amazing local producers, including Alfresco Pasta, Maker’s Mark Distillery, Delta Grind, Freedom Run Farm,Pecan Ridge Plantation, Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese, Blackberry Farm Brewery and Two Brooks Farm!

The folks at Eat Y’all ( a group which exists to connect chefs to better ingredients with a mission to grow a sustainable future for the South’s food farmers and producers) recently reached out to let me know that they’ll be stopping at Star Hill as part of their Fall 2018 Connect Tour. The Connect dinner, which will be held Monday October 29th, is a celebration of Southern farms and producers to benefit CORE - Children of Restaurant Employees. The meal will be prepared by Star Hill Provisions Chef Newman Miller and Lockbox Executive Chef Jonathan Searle, and will also include complimentary Maker’s Mark cocktails and craft beer courtesy of Blackberry Farm Brewery. (Tickets are available here — use code HERKENTUCKY20 for 20% off your ticket!)

The dinner will benefit CORE (Children of Restaurant Employees), which grants support to children of food and beverage service staff navigating life-altering circumstances. CORE is the nationally recognized community of support for all food and beverage service families in need by ensuring they feel cared for and valued.

Tickets are available here — use code HERKENTUCKY20 for 20% off your ticket!

 

Maker's Mark and Keeneland

Maker's Mark and Keeneland are two of Kentucky's most iconic traditions. I bet you've noticed that there's always plenty of Maker's Mark at the track, but did you know that these two brands have been paired up since the very beginning? In fact, the very first barrel of Maker's Mark was purchased by Keeneland in the mid-1950s. When Maker's launched their Private Select Barrel Program a few years ago, Keeneland was, once again, their first customer!

Of course, there are always plenty of opportunities to celebrate Maker's Mark at the track. The 2015 Breeders' Cup at Keeneland featured everything from signature Maker's Mark lounge areas to Maker's branded cocktails.

Bob makes his Breeders' Cup picks at Keeneland, Maker's Mark in hand.

And, then there are the bottles. Since 1997, Maker's Mark has collaborated with Keeneland to produce special collectors' bottles which benefit local charities. These are accompanied by signings at Keeneland, which are quite an event for bourbon lovers. This year's signing will be next Friday, April 13th, to coincide with the Maker's 46 Mile, a popular (G1) horse race. Perhaps the most iconic bottle in the collection is the Empty Bottle, the 2000 edition which was not filled because whisky supply was low at Maker's distillery due to a fire. Even with no bourbon inside, the bottle raised over $200,000 for the Tubby Smith Foundation!

There's even a signature Maker's Mark cocktail at Keeneland, The Keeneland Breeze. It's so citrusy and refreshing: it's 1.5 parts Maker's Mark to 1/2 part Triple Sec, topped with a splash of ginger ale and an orange round garnish.

I ran across these Keeneland Breeze kitchen items at The Keeneland Shop recently. What a fun way to celebrate the racetrack and its signature spirit!

Cheers and happy racing, y'all! 

Bourbon and Coke Slushes for Tailgating

Football season is finally here, y'all! Bob and I may have started the countdown to football sometime in June. And we may have added the Kentucky game and the Alabama game to our iPhone calendars back in July. And Bob may have gotten some fancy tv speakers that I don't fully understand in anticipation of the football season. Let's just say that we're really looking forward to Saturday's games!

Image via Draper James

With the 'Cats in Hattiesburg and a full Saturday of great games, it's the perfect time to kick off the long weekend with a frozen bourbon and coke slushie. These Tervis Tumblers from Draper James are the perfect way to keep your drink cold and reflect your school spirit. (Click here for $20 off your online Draper James order!)

These slushies are fun because you can use any soft drink you like, and even omit the whiskey for kids or anyone who doesn't care to imbibe. 

For each slushie, use two cups of ice, a cup of Coke, and 2-3 ounces of bourbon. Add ice to the blender and crush until smooth. Add bourbon and pulse; add coke and pulse again. I used Maker's Mark in my test recipe, but I also like the idea of adding a lower proof bourbon (like Basil Hayden or Old Forester 86 proof) to keep these drinks a little less potent. I added a splash of bitters to the Maker's and Ale-8 slushie, like they do at Star Hill Provisions at Maker's Mark. It really adds an interesting dimension to the drink!

Cheers, y'all. How are you celebrating the return of football season?