Happy Hour | Design Happens

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Happy Hour Happens: Drink Your Easter Eggs

by Kayla Kitts March 15, 2013 2 Comments

This might be the most fitting post I’ve ever written for Design Happens. Yesterday, I returned from an eight-day vacation to Chile where their most famous cocktail is the Pisco Sour. And today, I received some oh-so-delicious recipes that incorporate Chilean Pisco from the Elqui Valley with egg whites to create some refreshing, spring-y cocktails. If I can’t be in Chile, I might as well bring that South American feel to my kitchen.

KAPPA Sour

Kappa Sour Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

2 ounces KAPPA Pisco
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
1 ounce simple syrup
1 egg white
Angostura bitters, for topping

Directions

Combine KAPPA Pisco and remaining ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a small champagne flute. Top with half dashes of Angostura bitters.

KAPPA Blue Star

Ingredients

2 ounces KAPPA Pisco
1 ounce lemon juice
1 ounce simple syrup
1 egg white
10 blueberries

Directions

In a shaker, muddle blueberries with simple syrup. Fill the shaker with ice, add KAPPA Pisco and remaining ingredients. Shake vigorously and strain into a small champagne or martini glass.

Photos and recipes courtesy of KAPPA Pisco

Happy Hour Happens: Beat the Winter Blues With These Tropical Cocktails

by Kayla Kitts March 1, 2013 No Comments

Winter blues, anyone? I know I’m not alone here. Most of the HGTV.com editorial staff is taking turns seeking sunshine. Camille hit up her sister’s beach house for a little R&R (relaxation and remodeling); Lili just got back from a family vacay in Hawaii (I know!); and Marianne is somewhere in sunny Florida and we hate her for it. So, while some stick their toes in the sand, we can pretend we’re there with umbrella-embellished cocktails. Hey, it does the trick for me!

Blue Hawaii:

Blue Hawaii Cocktail Recipe at HGTV.com's Design Happens Blog

Beachy Cocktail Recipes

Happy Hour Happens: Clementine Crush

by Kayla Kitts February 1, 2013 2 Comments

As Valentine’s Day approaches, I’m sure most of you are planning something special for your sweetheart. Why not start off (or end) the evening with a fruit-infused cocktail that’s easy to make, beautiful and delicious? Go ahead and start practicing for the big day. Why not? It’s 5 o’clock somewhere…

Clementine Crush Cocktail Recipe

Get the Tasty Recipe

Holiday Cocktails: Hot Buttered Rum

by Abbi McCollum December 7, 2012 1 Comment

The weather outside is getting chilly; the stockings are getting hung by the chimney with care; and sparkling lights are showing up all over town. The holidays are here! It’s time to celebrate with a winter favorite: Hot Buttered Rum. To make this classic cocktail heat brown sugar, hot milk and rich, dark rum, then float butter on top for a decadent cocktail. Garnish with a pinch of ground nutmeg. Take a sip and officially ring in the holidays!

See the Recipe for Hot Buttered Rum

We’ve got more delicious holiday cocktails to the rescue. Infuriating in-laws? Kitchen woes? Long lines at the mall? Yep, there’s a drink for that. Here are our favorite holiday cocktail pairings to soften any situation the season throws your way.

Happy Hour Happens: Opening Ceremony Party Drinks

by Abbi McCollum July 27, 2012 2 Comments

Tonight marks the beginning of the 2012 Olympic Games. Athletes from around the world are gathering in London to compete for personal glory and honor their home countries, after training for years to get to this point. If that’s not an occasion to raise a glass in their honor, I don’t know what is. Whip up one of the following Olympic-style cocktails for an Opening Ceremonies viewing party, and cheer on your favorite athletes.

Happy Hour Cocktails: The Full Collection

Inspired by the dedicated Olympians who have trained oh-so-early in the morning, the Early Riser cocktail is the perfect drink to sip while you watch their hard work pay off from the comfort of your sofa:

Olympic Early Riser

Early Riser
1-1/2 oz. rum
1/2 oz. coconut flavored rum
1 oz. fresh mango juice
1 oz. pineapple juice
Pour ingredients into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into a tall glass. Garnish with maraschino cherries and orange slices.

Or, take a shot of patriotism with the Red, White and Blue Shooter:

Red, White and Blue Shooter

Red, White and Blue Shooter
1/5 oz. grenadine
2/3 oz. sambuca
1/3 oz. blue curaçao
1/3 oz. vodka
Build ingredients in order in shot glass.

Want more summer party ideas? Check out 11 of our favorite low-key summer party ideas.

Happy Hour Happens: Hop, Skip and Go Nakeds

by Abbi McCollum July 20, 2012 10 Comments

Don’t let the title of this blog confuse you – we aren’t saying that as a result of today’s happy hour you should hop, skip and go naked (but hey, it is summer…and it is hot out). Instead, keep your clothes on and enjoy some of this fun summer punch. In addition to having a name that in itself is a great conversation piece, Hop Skip and Go Naked Punch is also a favorite because it has something for everyone. With a recipe that calls for cold beer AND whiskey, you know you can’t lose.

Hop Skip and Go Naked Punch

The recipe calls for six cans of beer, a pint of whiskey, a can of frozen lemonade and two liters of soda. In other words, it’s meant to be shared with friends. So whip up a batch and invite the neighbors over, surprise your coworkers with an afternoon treat or be the most popular person at your family reunion.

Happy Hour Cocktails: The Full Collection

The punch can of course be made without the alcohol and the fizzy lemonade mixture would surely be welcome on a hot summer afternoon. However, that drink might just be called Hop Skip Punch because we are fairly sure that that naked part goes hand in hand with the whiskey and beer. Enjoy!

See more tips for summer entertaining including cool drinks, party tips and chic centerpieces.

Happy Hour Happens: Mojitos

by Abbi McCollum July 13, 2012 4 Comments

The heat of summer can be overwhelming. When temperatures soar into the 100′s, the last thing you want is a warm glass of red wine or a heavy beer. You need to cool off with a fresh, minty treat – a mojito. This simple drink screams summer and is the perfect accessory to relax with by the pool (or on the driveway, on the beach, in a fancy restaurant – it’s very versatile!).

Classic Mojito Recipe Classic Mojitos

Once you’ve made your simple syrup, mix in rum, lime juice and soda water. Head to your garden (or grocery store) for a few sprigs of mint and you have the perfect warm weather refreshment.

Happy Hour Cocktails: The Full Collection

If you prefer to cool off without alcohol, then this mocktail needs to be added to your beverage rotation. The fresh taste of grapefruit paired with mint is a taste that’s not to be missed.

Virgin Grapefruit Mojito

So raise your glass to summer and say cheers to mojitos!

Find more great mojito recipes on Food.com.

Happy Hour Happens: Popsicles

by Abbi McCollum June 29, 2012 3 Comments

It’s Friday afternoon and the work bell is about to ring. We all know what that means – happy hour! It’s that time to grab some friends, your favorite drinks and gather to celebrate having survived the hectic workweek.

Happy Hour Cocktails: The Full Collection

If it’s as hot outside where you are as it is where I am, you may want to consider adding a twist to tonight’s happy hour. Instead of drinks for everyone, go for ice-cold popsicles. “Popsicles?!,” you ask. Oh yes! These aren’t the popsicles you slurped as a child. No, these are specially made for the over-21 crowd. Just look at these tasty treats.

Strawberry Peach Vodka Collins Popsicles: EndlessSummer.com