Grilled Peach Frappe

If you're planning a final summer soiree, make it special with a signature cocktail for the evening.

I found this Grilled Peach Frappe recipe in my Better Homes & Gardens magazine and had to share it with you! You'll love it!

Ingredients
2 fresh peaches, halved

3 oz. Southern Comfort

2 tsp. raw sugar

2 Tbsp. fresh lime

2 Tbsp. fresh lemon

1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 cup ice

Grill peach halves on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until tender and lightly browned. Rotate peaches 1/4 turn throughout grilling. Remove from heat; cool. Slip off peach skin, using a peeler if necessary.

In a blender container, combine peaches and remaining ingredients, except ice. Cover and blend on high for 20 seconds; add ice and blend until smooth. Serve at once in chilled glasses. Top each with a slice or two of fresh peach. Makes 4 cocktails.

Yum!

Williams-Sonoma Wine Club

We all love and trust Williams-Sonoma for great cookware, utensils, bakeware, decor and more. Did you know that they also have a wine club?

Let the Williams-Sonoma wine experts hand select wines just for you from boutique wineries around the world.

Join one of the following clubs where you can select all red, white or a combination:

• The Explorer Club
• The Entertainer Club
• The Connoisseur Club

Don't forget to check out the Wine Gifts, Wine of the Week and also Recipes section for food and wine pairings. 

Click here to find out more!

Candlelit Dinner

One of my favorite things to do is plan a nice, romantic dinner. I cook up some scrumptious food and my husband and I sit and chat for awhile. I love using lots of candles too! I'll always add some to the table centerpiece. Recently though I placed a collection of candles on top of our sideboard  which is next to the table. I went to antique and consignment stores and purchased candleholders in various shapes and sizes and added cream colored candles. This collection then sits in front of a mirror which reflects even more light.

You can easily do this too. The candles holders cost next to nothing. You can do whatever color or shape you like, just tie them together with the candle color. In this case, I chose cream. If you don't have a mirror on the wall, you can purchase a mirror piece from a craft store like Michaels to place underneath.

You'll love the book Practically Posh by Robyn Moreno

“Whether you live in a basement with the income of a ten-year-old girl or on a saffron farm in Southern Spain, the spirit of hospitality is the same: it’s the giving of yourself, a present of you to them. – Amy Sedaris

I love this quote; it’s from a book called Practically Posh – The Smart Girls’ Guide to a Glam Life by Robyn Moreno and published by HarperCollins.  I received this book from my friend Linda for my birthday and reference it often. It’s full of all kinds of tips. There are chapters on creating a comfortable, stylish home.  The cooking chapter has great recipes and a recommendation of utensils and ingredients to keep on hand for a last minute soiree. There are even chapters on traveling and budget beauty. My favorite chapter is called Hip Hosting. It’s full of great hostess tips and tricks. This is a great resource for food and drink ideas and menus and even party hosting etiquette. 

I definitely recommend you check it out! You can order it here at Amazon.com.

Cocoa Cocktails

We just had some friends over for drinks and instead of wine or beer I served different types of cocoa cocktails. It was a cold, damp evening and they loved it!

I thought I'd share some of our favorite recipes with you!

This alcoholic Almond Coconut Cocoa is amazing!

• 2 tbsp. cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 2 c. milk
• 1 oz. Parrot Bay or Malibu coconut rum
• 1 oz. Amaretto De Saronno or amaretto liqueur
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Shredded coconut as garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Mix sugar, milk and cocoa powder in a sauce pan over medium heat. Heat until steaming, not boiling.
2. Add in liqueur and rum. Pour into two mugs.
3. Top with whipped cream, if desired. Drizzle amaretto over whipped cream, if desired.
4. Top with shredded coconut.

Read more at Suite101: Alcoholic Hot Chocolate Beverage Recipes: How to Make Your Cocoa With Alcohol for a Warm Winter Drink http://www.suite101.com/content/adults-only-hot-chocolate-a149118#ixzz19Xei5rTJ

This Baileys Hot Mint Chocolate recipe is from allrecipes.com

• 2 ounces Baileys® Mint Chocolate Irish Liqueur
• 1 cup hot chocolate
• Cinnamon sugar
• 1/4 ounce green Chartreuse® (optional)
• A dollop of whipped cream
• Cinnamon stick

Directions

1. Build in a mug and float heavy cream on top.
2. Garnish with cinnamon sugar and a cinnamon stick. 

These are both scrumptious! I also keep Godiva liquor, Bailey's Caramel liquor and Peppermint Schapps around in case someone wants to make their own concoction.