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Who wants to help me with party menu?
So because I'm already super stressed (and stretched) for time this week, it's causing me to go into hyperdrive and want to grapple everything together for our party (next weekend.) LOL I'm starting with the two things people remember most: booze and dessert (cupcakes.)
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I'm thinking of doing jello shots again, because they were fun, people loved them, and who doesn't love jello? (Plus, I made some non-alcoholic ones for the kids... and I think I've never seen happier kids - or parents - toddling around licking at jello in a tiny cup.) The Sex on the Beach shots went over HUGE last time; those are DEFINITELY in. But since it's not really a Margarita-themed party (just overall general fun themed, but brightly colored nonetheless), I don't want to do the Margarita shots, even though those were my favorite. What other fruity drinks are out there I can mock in a shot form? Maybe another mixer that has vodka in it?
I'm also trying to think of something kind of fun and festive to have as an option for drinks (we have margarita stuff, but I'd like to offer/focus on a different fun summer drink since it's not a margarita theme. I don?t think something super-sweet will go over that well; the margaritas always did (not super sweet though: we go through about 4 pictures of lime to 1 of strawberry) and our blender goes NON-STOP. Actually two blenders were going non-stop.) Thoughts/suggestions to consider?
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Now cupcakes... I've got a few in mind that I just can't decide between. Ever since having seen this Strawberry Margarita Cupcake recipe, I?ve been dying to try them out. But there?s also this nice (non-margarita flavored) Strawberry Cupcake recipe that sounds just as good. (So I can?t decide: will people be thrown off by the idea of a cupcake being margarita flavored, even if mostly in name? Will they avoid feeding it to their kids because of that and I end up with almost an entire batch of cupcakes leftover?)
Here are the others I?m considering because you need some kind of chocolate option:
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
And I?d ideally like to merge two next ideas (I like the marshmallow on the inside of the one, but the other recipe sounds better. Do you think it?d work if I made the chocolate cupcakes from the blog, filled them with marshmallow & frosted as from MyRecipes, but sprinkled the top with the graham cracker crumbs from the blog?)
Devil?s Food w/Marshmallow Filling
Here are my biggest concerns I?m hoping other bakers can help me with: everything I find calls for unsalted butter. I?ve done that game before, and believe it or not.. NO ONE in GRB carries it. *rolls eyes* I?ve looked at the two big grocery stores we have, as well as Walmart and always get the funniest look when I finally ask for it after searching for 10 minutes. How big of a difference do you think that?ll make? Also, a lot of these recipes call for mixing it in a mixer; I don?t have one. Do you think that would make a significant difference in the outcome since I?d be using a hand-held mixer? (I?m thinking maybe the amount of air that?s in the batter with a hand-held vs Kitchen-aid type thing?)
Re: Who wants to help me with party menu?
For our cookout last weekend we made "Intoxicated Fruit"
Everyone loves Intoxicated Fruit.
And I'm out of ideas. Oh, a good drink (which is super easy and people love) is Malibu and Pineapple Juice. We made some pitchers of that with pineapples on the side for people and we ran out quickly.
I am not a lot of help because I don't really cook or bake. I think for jello shots though whatever you make people with have. The sex on the beach ones sounds so good. The only other thing I can think of off the top of my head is a fuzzy navel.
I think all your cupcake ideas sound so good. I am more of a chocolate girl, I don't really like fruit and chocolate together, but thats just me. The marshmellow ones sound amazing. I wish I was going to be there!
Since it isn't a fiesta and that's what you guys had in May...I would stay away from margarita and margarita cupcakes.
For a special drink....do sangria!!! I usually always make it for big parties and everyone loves it! I did a white citrus sangria last time we had people over and everyone loved it. Let me know if you want the recipe.
I like the idea of strawberry cupcakes...they sound really yummy!! and I would do the choc pb ones too.
Did the guys drink sangria?
This is my biggest concern: I make a fruity drink. Guys won't touch it (because they're macho men, you know? 
) There are less women than men and the women who do come won't drink it for various reasons (DD, they don't drink, etc.)
But the white citrus sangria sounds good.
MH had some....the guys only drink beer for the most part. Or a Captain and coke or something like that.
I was going to suggest sangria too! I think most guys would drink it. Well at least MH would. You could make a white and a red sangria for variety.
For jello shots...how about a lemon drop one?
I think you should make the devil's food cupcakes with marshmellow. They look amazing!!!
I should also add the rest of the menu, I guess.
We're making sloppy joes (I know, classy, right? But it's summer. LOL And considering we could have 10 people or 50 show up, it's easiest to make in bulk, pawn off leftovers on others, or freeze.) Potato salad. And from there, I can't decide.
I can't stand the thought of having chips with potato salad, even though they're kind of standard with sloppy joes. I'm thinking maybe a homemade slaw or creamy salad? (Cucumber Red Onion Salad? Cabbage and Apple Slaw? Broccoli Raisin Salad?)
We want to keep the menu fairly simple since it's a little later and honestly, so few people come to eat. (LOL!) So we were thinking Sloppy Joes w/Potato Salad, one other dish, maybe a veggie/fruit platter, and dessert.
I made this potato salad last time we had a party, it was a HIT!!! Just thought I would suggest it.
http://www.rachaelraymag.com/Recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-index/salad-recipes/Loaded-Baked-Potato-Salad
That sounds really good, Jen! I fall back on a variation of this one: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Tangy-Potato-Salad-3.
I try to sneak in alternatives that are somewhat lighter for the party, otherwise I won't eat anything. (I can't afford a day where I eat something made with 2 sticks of butter! LOL)
I only used one stick...I can't justify 2 either - I am not Paula Deen, lol. But, we had 25 people over and there were plenty of leftovers so it makes a LOT!!!