Drunk pop

Perfect for the hot days closing out the summer months, these unique twists on the frozen margarita sounds like such a fun idea for a backyard party!

Try this recipe from Bon Appétite, which couldn’t be any easier either: you basically take lime flavored ice pops or fruit bars, pour a mixture of tequila and lime juice over them, then lightly dip 1 edge of the pop into kosher salt.

Another approach could be to first mix up your own margaritas then freeze them into pops and dip in salt. Here’s a great recipe for this version from Emeril Lagassi via Food Network:

INGREDIENTS
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 2 tablespoons tequila
• 2 tablespoons orange liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier)
• Kosher salt, for garnish Special Equipment:
• 4 small cups (recommended: Dixie), 4 popsicle sticks

DIRECTIONS
1. Combine sugar, lime juice, water, lemon juice and orange juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
2. Once cool transfer to a blender with tequila, orange liqueur, and lime wedge and process until smooth.
3. Pour into the cups and cover the top of each cup with foil. Place the popsicle stick in center of cup (down through foil, which will hold it in place).
4. Freeze until hard, preferably overnight.
5. Remove from freezer and run cup under warm water to loosen popsicle. Garnish with kosher salt and serve.

Equal play

LookGirl in the Kitchen posted a recipe this week that could easily be multiplied for a great spring-summer get together. The recipe only makes one, but it would be really easy to make a big batch in a pitcher, just don't let them sit too long because of the soda water.

MIXED BERRY MOJITO
Ingredients:
8-12 fresh mint leaves
3-4 fresh blackberries
3-4 fresh blueberries
3-4 fresh red raspberries
1/8 cup lime juice
2-4 teaspons Equal Spoonful or 1-2 packets Equal sweetener
1/4 cup soda water
1/4 cup light rum
1 mint sprig

Directions:
1. Carefully press mint leaves into the bottom of the glass with the back of a wooden spoon to release their oils (do not tear leaves).
2. Mix mint, crushed wild berries, lime juice and Equal in a highball glass.
3. Fill glass with crushed ice (cubed ice will not work).
4. Stir well until the ice is reduced by 1/3 and then top with more crushed ice, stirring until the glass begins to frost on the outside.
5. Pour in rum and soda water and stir again. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

Open That Bottle the right way

Enjoy Open That Bottle Night on Saturday with some of these fun new wine accessories. They can make any night a special night to open that celebratory bottle.

Crate and Barrel Mara wine glasses ($12.95 each) with dramatic angles and V-shaped bowls

CB2 Ada Smoke stemware ($3.95 each) for that sultry night, a bit of a smoky haze

Sur La Table V1 Vacuum Decanter by Metrokane ($79.95) preserves that special wine that you let "breathe" last just a few days longer, without breathing

CB2 Beaker Glass decanters and funnel ($2.50 - $14.95) help solve that scientific equation that is the right amount to air out a bottle

Sur La Table Riedel O ‘Thumbs Up’ Decanter ($159.95) is a hand-blown, no-drip, safe 'n' secure masterpiece

Open That Bottle

WINE CELEBRATED: Open That Bottle Night, started in 2000 by two wine writers for the Wall Street Journal, is a fantastic idea to make any day a celebration. Wine lovers and amateurs alike save bottles to drink "later" for a special occasion, but when is that time? And why shouldn't you enjoy a good glass of wine on a typical day? So this Saturday, uncork a cherished bottle and enjoy the contents as Open That Bottle Night gives you that special occasion. The writers argue:

These dear bottles have a special way of retrieving warm and often-forgotten memories, but you have to pop the cork to release them. That's why we invented Open That Bottle Night. So very many of us have that special bottle — from a departed loved one, from a visit to a winery, from a vacation — that we're always going to open for just the right moment, but, of course, that moment never comes.

So, as a treat for that special night, buy yourself some special wine accouterments to help you enjoy the wine. Here is a page that appeared last year in The Examiner for the same occurrence. In just a few minutes, I'll post some updates with brand new products on the market that would make any sip one to remember.

Cool as ice

Throw a blingin' diva cocktail party for your friends with the Cool Jewels Ice Cube Tray ($5.95) available Feb. 15 at Sur la Table and "on backorder" at CB2. Amazon has had them on the site since September, supposedly, but they are new to me. Anyway, to have a super party, fill them with water, sparkling water, colored water — maybe with juice, a floating piece of fruit or even Jello — and you get six unique fab faux jewels. How fun!

Top of the pyramid

We just love MOMA museum stores for odd, fun innovations for home. The Wedge, in all its simplistic glory, keeps pyramids of beverages from slipping and sliding all over your fridge; it saves space and curbs potential disaster, and that is beyond worth dishing out $12 for two. Another option, use them for a modern take on a wine rack.

And if you're looking for a way to keep your champagne fresh once it's been opened, here's a tip: Insert a spoon into the top, handle down, to keep it bubbly. Thank god for Mr. Wizard!