My craving for cranberry juice peaks as the daffodils start poking through the snow each spring.
Its refreshing tartness was my beverage of choice after both of our girls were born in the early springtime, and I can’t help seeking it out this time of year. Sometimes I mix it with lemon-lime soda for a bubbly spritzer. But mostly I drink it straight-up, in all its bright puckery goodness.
When I was asked by Simply Orange Juice Company to host a little gathering featuring the new Simply Cranberry Cocktail, I was all over it…
- Because, first of all, I am a huge fan of the Simply Orange® brand. Their pulp-free orange juice with added calcium and vitamin D is a regular at our house. And you’ll often find their limeade or one of their lemonades in the refrigerator throughout the summer. I’ll admit that I’m drawn to the simple clear carafes they’re packaged in, but most of all, I just love their bright not-from-concentrate taste. Simply Cranberry Cocktail is made in a similar fashion, blended with not-from-concentrate cranberry juice and no added preservatives.
- And, second of all, I wanted to have some fun! My mind started buzzin’ with fresh ways I could celebrate spring with Simply Cranberry Cocktail!
Preparing for the gathering…
My parents and my husband’s parents were staying with us, in town to watch our oldest daughter perform in a 70′s variety show. So we threw a little pre-show party, attended by our out-of-town family and a couple of my bestest girlfriends and served up some small spring desserts and Simply Cranberry Cocktail.
Flowers are always welcome in my home, especially when I entertain. If at all possible, I will always cut something from our yard or garden before buying flowers at the store. It’s just who I am. I like the more casual feel it lends, plus this approach always guarantees a centerpiece that’s appropriately in season. I was so happy that our daffodils were blooming in full force, because the rest of our yard was definitely still in winter sleep mode!
I put together a menu consisting of refreshing drinks showcasing Simply Cranberry Cocktail, along with a few of my favorite spring sweets. I selected desserts that were small in size (because I love it when I can try a little bit of everything!) and could be eaten without a fork. I wanted the feel to be casual, and the bevvies and sweets to be beautiful and bursting with the brightness of spring.
The Menu:
* Lime Baby Cakes
* Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Bars
* Spring Brownie Bites with Fresh Raspberry Buttercream
* Cranberry Strawberry Sangria
* Cranberry Lemonade Punch
(A great tip for keeping drinks cold: The day prior to serving these drinks, pour Simply Cranberry Cocktail into ice cube trays and freeze. You’ll have a beautiful way to keep your beverages cold without diluting them!) 
We have a 3-season porch that begs us to gather in it as soon as the snow disappears. It provided the perfect spot to serve up some spring. I love the bright flavors and colors of these Lime Baby Cakes (one of my mom’s favorite desserts ever!), Fudgy Spring Brownie Bites with Fresh Raspberry Buttercream (I HAD to serve some chocolate!), and Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Bars (What speaks spring more than strawberries and rhubarb?!).
Wouldn’t these desserts make for a beautiful spring bridal or baby shower?!
The Simply CranberryCocktail, with its perfect blend of sweetness and tartness, was offered in its own carafe, for those who wanted to enjoy some cranberry cocktail straight-up or in a spritzer. I also served Cranberry Lemonade Punch, with a base of Simply Cranberry Cocktail and my favorite homemade lemonade, in a punch bowl swimming with pretty lemon slices. Some orange soda and ginger ale provided lighthearted bubbles, and it quickly brought smiles to all who tasted it.
(See the yellow curling ribbon at the base of the glass? It’s my favorite way to keep everyone’s drinks straight when I host a party. I simply curl up pieces of different colored ribbons and wind them around the bases of the glasses a couple times. These colorful drink charms are not only fun, they’re also inexpensive!)
Ingredients
- 2 c. water
- 1 c. sugar
- 1 T. grated lemon peel
- 1 c. fresh lemon juice
- 32 oz. (4 c.) Simply Cranberry Cocktail, chilled
- 12 oz. (1 can or 1-1/2 c.) orange soda, chilled
- 32 oz. (4 c.) ginger ale, chilled
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
Preparation
First make a lemonade syrup. In a medium saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Add the lemon peel and lemon juice, stir, and remove from the heat. Let cool completely. If desired, strain the mixture. I like all the little lemon tidbits in my drink, so I do not strain it. Thoroughly chill the lemonade syrup.
In a punch bowl or other large serving container, combine the Simply Cranberry Cocktail with the chilled lemonade syrup. Add the orange soda and ginger ale. Give it a stir and add the lemon slices right before serving.
Note: To keep this drink cold, I like to make cranberry juice ice cubes a day or two before serving this punch. Just pour Simply Cranberry Cocktail into ice cube trays and freeze. Be sure to give them at least 24 hours to freeze completely. Add the frozen cranberry cubes to the punch bowl or to individual glasses to keep drinks cold without diluting them.
Source
from a farmgirl's dabbles
I also served Cranberry Strawberry Sangria, which tastes much like a lightened up strawberry margarita, with the tartness of cranberry sweetened by fresh strawberries. Adding a few sprigs of fresh rosemary to the pitcher is a beautiful and tasty trick I gleaned from Molly McNeil, who mixed up the most incredible sangria last summer for a MN Food Bloggers party. I cannot wait to pick fresh sweet strawberries at our local u-pick this summer and make another batch of this sangria!
(If you’re not a margarita fan, simply swap out the tequila for some rum or vodka.)
Ingredients
- 48 oz. (6 c.) Simply Cranberry Cocktail, chilled
- 1 bottle (750 mls) fruity rose' wine, chilled
- 3 oz. orange liqueur
- 2 oz. tequila blanco (or substitute rum or vodka)
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, divided
- 1 lemon, divided
- 1 orange, divided
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 T. sugar
Preparation
In a very large bowl, preferably with a spout, stir together the Simply Cranberry Cocktail, rose', orange liqueur, and tequila. Puree half of the strawberries. Then juice half the lemon and stir that juice into the strawberries. Add the pureed strawberries to the cranberry juice mixture. Then juice half the orange and add that juice, too. Thinly slice the remaining half lemon and orange and add the slices to the cranberry juice mixture along with the sprigs of rosemary. Gently smoosh the rosemary along the side of the bowl with the back side of a spoon for just a bit, to draw out its earthy flavor. Slice the remaining strawberries, sprinkle the sugar over them, and set aside (cover and refrigerate if you're not serving the sangria for awhile). Pour the sangria into a serving container(s) and chill completely. Add the sugared strawberries to the sangria right before serving.
Source
from a farmgirl's dabbles
I’m loving this new Simply Cranberry Cocktail!
It’s refreshing, bright, perfectly tart, and just the thing for a cranberry juice lover like myself. Be sure to look for it this spring in the refrigerated section of your local grocery store; it’s kept chilled from the time it’s blended!
And…I’m so happy to give you the chance to win a
$100 Visa gift card!
The good folks behind Simply CranberryCocktail have offered up this great prize for my readers.
Yay!
What is your favorite way to make a party or get-together at home more festive?
Tell me in the comments for a chance to win a $100 gift card!
Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 5/7/2012 – 6/6/2012
Be sure to visit the Promotions & Prizes page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!
Disclosure: Thank you to the folks behind Simply Cranberry Cocktail for providing me with Simply Cranberry Cocktail to serve my guests and the $100 Visa gift card for this giveaway. I have been compensated for this post by BlogHer, but as always, all text, opinions, and photos are my own. For more information on Simply Cranberry Cocktail, please visit their website and facebook.
“Simply Cranberry™” is a trademark of Simply Orange Juice Company.
That all looks so wonderful!! I think it is really important to make everyone feel comfortable and welcomed from the beginning so that then they are at ease and able to really enjoy the rest of the party.
soluckyducky at gmail dot com
I like burning candles inside and outside. Also, vases of pretty, bright colored flowers.
If the weather permits,, I love when everyone gathers on my front porch or back deck. Being outside is casual and just more fun.
I make sure we have great music.
Ashley H. recently posted..New Beauty Coupons: L’Oreal, Garnier, Sensodyne
I like to make sure everyone is comfortable and well fed with some great food and drink. A great fire to sit around and make smores too.
All the c’s make for a fun gathering….candles, chips, candies, cookies, cocktails….and in your case, cranberry juice:-)
Michelle Levine recently posted..2012 James Beard Foundation Award Winners for Boston
I lie serving Cosmos!
Go potluck style. Lovely dinner menu!
All of these recipes look fantastic. I love all of them, in fact I don’t think I could pick just one they’re all terrific. It’s such a cute idea to use a flower to cut the brownies and decorate them as you have, perfect for spring. Your beverage recipes make me so thirsty I wish I could have a drink. Guess I’ll have to make them.
As for having a festive party – I like to get the guests involved and have everyone participate in the cooking. I love doing a sushi party and having everyone make their own or build it yourself pizza, tacos, salad, ice cream whatever makes it fun and hands-on to me makes it more festive.
Vicki Bensinger recently posted..Super PowerBowl!
I love to make a spread of homeade treats and I always serve a recipe that my mom used to serve. Even though she passed away, it makes me feel like she is still at the party.
I like to do a theme party with decorations.
A themed or signature cocktail is such fun way to make things festive!
What a fun, festive, beautiful party, Brenda!
I love to host little parties and get-togethers. To me, it is all about the cute food and fun, simple decorations that add that special touch.
Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids recently posted..Weekend Things – Recipe: Peaches and Cream
I use my sizable stash of beautiful vintage floral tablecloths to cover tables. Add vases of fresh flowers from my yard and I have instant, welcoming charm.
Minnesota Prairie Roots recently posted..Morel Madness in Minnesota
Gorgeous post! I love using cranberry juice in my smoothies. Beautiful photos and excellent fruity cocktail idea!
Julia {The Roasted Root} recently posted..Conrmeal Pie Crust & A Quiche {+ A GIVEAWAY!}
I make alot of fruit smoothies, but haven’t use cranberry juice…thanks, I’m going to try that!
https://twitter.com/#!/thepryfamily2/status/200279383456481281
thepryfamily@gmail.com
music and decorations make it more festive
thepryfamily@gmail.com
It was fun to be a part of the party. And, of course, to sample ALL the treats and drinks!
Lots of good food and when it is a kid free party lots of good cocktails!
My favorite way to make a party at my home more festive is selecting a theme. So, the decorations, food, drink, party favor and dress code would all follow the same theme. It’s really festive and fun!
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/uTry_it/status/200334590446010368
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
by adding party music!
https://twitter.com/#!/DesMoinesDealin/status/200405677489930241
My favorite way to make a party at my home more festive would be to make sure everyone feels at home at my house so they can relax and enjoy the food, drinks and company.
I like to make the food fit the theme of the party or at least the season the party is in. A creatively named drink doesn’t hurt either.
I don’t entertain that much.. but when I do, I like to make sure everyone is comfortable and feels at home. I keep it simple! Usually everyone ends up in the kitchen gathered around the food.
I guess by decorating, I dont have a whole lot of parties.
I like to have a theme! One of my favorites was a root beer float party.
games and partyware
MUSIC really makes a difference! Even if it means the chatter gets louder.
What a great giveaway… I was excited just thinking that we might be winning juice! LOL.
sue recently posted..Geektastic Number {Five}
I like to set the tone and get the conversation started, by having early arrivers help with last minute food prep. Others easily join in the fun.
Festive but not too loud music, great apps, and make sure that you have everyone’s beverage of choice on hand from chardonnay to lemonade!!!!!
Fun games like bingo, great appetizers, good music!
I put on upbeat music and put out lots of snacks. Thanks for the review and giveaway.
songyueyu at gmail
tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/syytta/status/201632574903287808
songyueyu at gmail
My favorite way to make a party at home for festive is to make it a themed party!
I like to hang decorations, put on some music, and make way too much dessert!
chambanachik@gmail.com
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https://twitter.com/#!/karinaroselee/status/202154561216057344
i like having a party theme
Plenty of all sorts of desserts and music always help.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/202157643521994752
I love to do simple decorations and lots of finger food so people can mingle and enjoy!
lots of games and foods
https://twitter.com/#!/HappyTina0115/status/202560426964291585
I like to decorate for the occasion
https://twitter.com/#!/rjs682/status/202617724441067520
Complementary food, drink, hostess, guests, and atmosphere.
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/BBirdie2/status/202855380244631552