part 1:

nl oscars party js a1

part 2:

nl oscars party js w1

part 3:

nl oscars party js w2

part 4:

nl oscars party js w3

Serves 6

This crisp drink has all the tartness of regular cranberry juice, without the carpet-staining color!

• 12 ounces white-cranberry juice
• 24 ounces lemon-lime soda
• 6 lime wedges for garnish

Mix the white-cranberry juice with the lemon-lime soda. To serve, pour into wine glasses over ice, and garnish with lime wedges.

Serves 4

Simply the best hot chocolate ever. The key is to use a very high quality hot-chocolate mix. One of my favorites comes from Fauchon, the French confectioner. See the Resource Guide in “Simple Stunning Wedding Showers” for more information.

• 4 packages Fauchon hot-chocolate powder (or substitute your favorite brand)
• 1 pint milk
• One 12-ounce can evaporated milk
• Pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
• 20 mini marshmallows for garnish

Pour 1 package hot chocolate powder into each of 4 mugs. In a saucepan, warm the milk and evaporated milk together until the mixture reaches a simmer. Remove from heat, add the cayenne pepper if desired, and stir. Pour milk into mugs, stir, and garnish each mug with 5 mini marshmallows.

Serves 6

Great for a brunch or tea shower, or as a nonalcoholic option anytime.

• 6 ounces orange juice
• 6 ounces tangerine juice
• 6 ounces guava juice (or substitute cranberry juice)
• 6 ounces lime juice
• 6 dashes club soda
• Edible rose buds or other edible flowers for ice cubes (optional)
• Orange juice for ice cubes (optional)

Mix the juices together in a pitcher, and add the club soda just before serving. To make floral ice cubes, place small edible petals or blossoms inside ice cube trays filled with orange juice. Freeze cubes and add to beverage just before serving.

Serves 6

Light and refreshing, with a hint of sweetness, this tea is great anytime.

• 12 ounces strawberry juice
• 24 ounces iced green tea
• 6 fresh strawberries for garnish

Pour 1⁄4 cup strawberry juice into each glass, over ice. Top with the iced green tea, and stir. Garnish with a fresh strawberry.

Makes 4 cocktails

Lillet is a light, refreshing French aperitif made from wine and fruit liqueurs.

• 12 ounces white Lillet
• 2 ounces apricot nectar
• 4 ounces club soda
• 4 dried apricots for garnish

Combine the white Lillet and the apricot nectar, and divide the mixture evenly into four ice-filled glasses. Add 1 ounce of club soda to each glass, and stir. Garnish each glass with a dried apricot.

Makes 8 spritzers

Wine spritzers are all the rage again. They’re light and refreshing, and the rosé wine adds a slightly fruity quality and a pale blush hue.

• One 750-milliliter bottle dry rosé wine
• 2 tablespoons grenadine
• 16 ounces club soda
• 8 lemon twists or fresh strawberries for garnish

Mix the wine and grenadine in a pitcher and keep on ice. When ready to serve, pour into ice-filled glasses and add 2 ounces club soda to each glass. Add a lemon twist or fresh strawberry garnish.

Makes 12 drinks

Tiny chocolate cups made especially for cordials and liqueurs are perfect for festive occasions. Search the Internet for “chocolate liqueur cups,” or see the Resource Guide in “Simple Stunning Wedding Showers”. Not only are the cups elegant, but there’s no messy cleanup, because the guests eat them!

• 12 dashes brandy
• 12 chocolate liqueur cups
• 12 tablespoons coffee liqueur, such as Kahlúa or Tía Maria

Pour a dash of brandy into each chocolate cup. Add a dash of coffee liqueur. Serve on a festive tray.

Makes 4 cocktails

Its pretty red color and sweet taste make this the perfect party drink (pictured here).

• 6 ounces vodka
• 2 ounces strawberry juice
• 1 ounce cranberry juice
• Juice of half a lime

In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine all ingredients and stir. Strain into martini glasses.

Makes 4 cocktails

Add a bit of exotic, savory flavor to your wedding shower.

• 4 peeled cucumber slices
• 2 ounces sake (plus extra for soaking cakes)
• 6 ounces vodka

Soak the cucumber slices in sake. Pour sake and vodka into a cocktail mixing glass, stir, and then strain into a chilled martini glass or sake cup. Garnish with the sake-soaked cucumber.