Hi, We are getting together this weekend on a friend's sailboat and my job is to come up with a couple of fancy pre-dinner cocktails and desserts. I would like any suggestions for drinks that are easily put together but with some style. Any ideas?
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Pomegranate Sangria


1 bottle fruity red wine
2 cups pomegranate juice
1/2 cup brandy
1/2 cup Triple Sec
1/4 cup simple syrup (equal amounts sugar and water, heated until sugar dissolves, cooled)
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
1 large orange, halved and thinly sliced
1 green apple, cored, halved and thinly sliced
1 cup red grapes, sliced in 1/2
Combine all ingredients in a pitcher, cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 48 hours before serving. Serve over ice.


Also, maybe a couple different types of flavored sugar waters for making mojitoes or rum drinks, with some passion juice or pineapple/orange juice.

Rosemary-Infused Lemonade

2 sprigs fresh rosemary, plus more for serving (optional)
kosher salt
1 cup fresh lemon juice, or to taste
1/2 cup agave nectar
lemon slices, for serving

Bring 6 cups water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from the heat and add the rosemary and a pinch of salt, Cover and steep, 30 minutes. Strain into a pitcher and cool to room temperature. Stir the lemon juice, agave nectar and cold water into the pitcher. Add more lemon juice or agave nectar to taste. Serve over ice with rosemary and/or lemon slices, if desired.

And another fun drink, though I don't know any recipes off hand, is one with dry ice in it, and served with multiple straws so it can be shared, depending on what kind of group you are with.

Here is my "Death By Chocolate" cake recipe you could make a head of time.

SPYGLASS VILLA FUDGE CAKE

1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 cup water
1-1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter or margarine
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 cups sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
3/4 cup sour cream
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla

For icing:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
3/8 cup milk (just a little under 1/2 cup)
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 (1 lb.) box powdered sugar
1 cup nuts of your choice (whole or chopped)
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla

Preliminaries: Preheat over to 350 degrees. Butter 9" X 13" baking pan.
Prepare cake: Place 1/2 cup cocoa powder in large saucepan; gradually stir in 1 cup water; bring to boil on medium-high heat. Add butter and allow to melt; set aside.
Sift together into a bowl, flour, sugar, baking soda and salt; add to hot mixture. Lightly beat eggs and add them to mixture along with sour cream and vanilla; stir to thoroughly combine.
Pour into prepared pan. Bake 30 minutes or until cake feels firm in center.
Meanwhile, while cake is baking, prepare icing: In medium saucepan, combine butter or margarine, milk and cocoa; bring to boil. Add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until smooth. Add nuts and stir until coated. Spread over hot cake. Cool before cutting.

A big batch of "Bloody Caesars"(don't forget the olives)
Or Lick it Slam it Suck it shots.

Bellini Martini

3 parts vodka
1 part peach schnapps
shake with ice
pour into a martini glass
fill glass to top with champagne
garnish with a fresh strawberry slice (optional)

Well I am going to have to follow up with a Vesper Martini.
The real James Bond Martini

3 Parts Gin (Gordon's is the classic - I like Blue Saphire)
1 Part Vodka (I use Ketel One)
and the most important ingrediant is Lillet
1/2 part Lillet
With a twist of Lemon (However I like a twist of Orange)

A real Martini is always made with Gin
Many think the word "Dry" means the amount (or lack thereof) of vermouth is added. But in fact you are telling the bartender the amount of Vodka that will be added to the Gin.

I also like to let it sit in the shaker on ice for solid minute to get very cold. Shake or Stir no... just slowly move your wrist and pour.

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Hi, Thanks for the ideas. I just went with a pitcher of Sea breeze mix, vodka,cranberry and grapefruit but I did go big with a rhubarb crisp cheesecake. I will try some of your suggestions for our girls' weekend in Aug. The martini sounds great.