Our Favorite Seasonal Cocktails | Early Summer Sippers

Posted on June 1, 2021
in Event Tips
by lcr

The Perfect Refreshing Summer Cocktails!

With the start of June, we can officially say Summer is upon us. Although the mornings are clouded in the signature San Diego “June Gloom” that lingers until mid-afternoon, by the time Happy Hour rolls around, the sun is out! That’s when a chilled beverage is exactly what we need. We’ve gathered a few of our favorite summer-inspired cocktails that should put anybody in the right headspace to enjoy a classic San Diego summer.

Green Tea Sangria

green tea sangria with lemon and mint

 Author Brewing Happiness

Refreshing, subtly sweet, and flavored with lemon and mint, this is a cocktail even grandma would approve of. 
This is a cocktail meant for those lazy Sundays where a spiked iced tea might be ok to start enjoying way before 5 pm. The prep time might take a bit from start to finish, but the effort is minimal, which is our favorite part. Brew this sangria up at your leisure in the AM, and it’ll be ready by the early afternoon. Just in time for your guests to arrive for “Sunday Funday.”
(Servings 4 -5)

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle white wine (We suggest using a Reisling)
  • 4 cups water
  • 6 bags green tea
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 3 lemons, sliced
  • 20-25 mint leaves

Instructions

  1. In a large pot or kettle, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
  2. After boiling, take off heat, and add in 6 green tea bags. Let steep for 5 minutes.
  3. Remove tea bags, and stir in 1/3 cup of honey. (Let cool for 30 min-1 hour before mixing sangria.)
  4. When the tea is slightly cooled, add it to your pitcher along with 1 bottle of white wine, lemon slices, and fresh mint leaves.
  5. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours before serving!

Strawberry Basil Gin Jammer

Who would’ve thought to put jam in a cocktail?
Late spring to early summer is strawberry season here in San Diego. At the beginning of June, we’re about neck-deep in the delicious stuff and just had to include a strawberry-inspired drink to this list. This tasty beverage is perfect for those summer outings at your favorite picnic spot. Or those days when you need to satisfy a sweets craving but have no juice in your fridge. Muddled strawberries, basil, and a healthy glob of strawberry jam are all you need to complete this refreshing, picnic-perfect drink!

Ingredients

  • 2 fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 3-4 fresh basil leaves
  • 1 tablespoon strawberry jam
  • 2 ounces gin
  • More whole strawberries for garnish (if desired)

Instructions

  1. In a rocks glass, muddle the strawberries and basil.
  2. In a cocktail shaker filled with about ¾ cup of ice, combine the strawberry jam and the gin.
  3. Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds and then pour contents of shaker (including ice) into the rocks glass.
  4. Garnish with a fresh strawberry and enjoy.

 

Tequila Mockingbird

Tequila Mockingbird cocktail on yellow-and-white-striped surface

Author: Liquor.com, Image: Tim Nusog.

A book, a pun, and–most importantly–a cocktail with many surprising variations.

If you were to google how to make a Tequila Mockingbird, you’d find around four or five completely different recipes that all claim to be the same drink. This spicy margarita variation is our favorite and screams summer with its watermelon base. It’s easy to make, and prep only requires slicing up a few ingredients! We can see this enjoyed by the pool or even at an upscale summer bbq. Book lovers and mixologists alike will rave about this one.

Ingredients

  • 1 slice jalapeño
  • 3 watermelon cubes
  • 2 ounces silver tequila
  • 3/4 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
  • 3/4 ounce agave syrup

Instructions

  1. Muddle the jalapeño slice and watermelon cubes in a shaker to extract the juices.
  2. Add tequila, lime juice, agave syrup, and ice, then shake until well-chilled.
  3. Fine-strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.

 

What are some of your favorite summery cocktails? We’d love to add them to our list!

Signature Holiday Cocktails

Posted on December 2, 2020
in Updates
by lcr

Craft A Cold One While Wrapping Gifts!

Certain states all over the country are locking down again, and the fever they’re concerned about isn’t from sitting in a cabin for too long. Here in Carlsbad, it looks like we won’t be leaving the house this holiday season. The silver lining? This means no need for a designated driver! To help us float through this holiday season like Santa’s reindeer, we figured a bit of custom cocktail inspiration–and responsible drinking–was in order. Typically, the drinks we offer at our events through Personal Touch Dining are Spring or Summer themed since our event season ends mid-November. We get rave reviews over their Grapefruit Mojito, and they even offer “Logo Cocktails” now! These are the newest way to send a message while delighting your impressed guests! Imagine each of these holiday drinks with your signature logo on top for the perfect viral social media post. Make your friends Grinchy-green with envy over your immaculate custom cocktail presentation this season! If you’re like us, we’re looking to take the nostalgia of a perfect Leo Carrillo Christmas and mix in a little extra fun. Using just four ingredients, we came up with three different fun craft cocktails anybody can make from home. We included one with champagne to reflect the glitz and glamor of Leo Carrillo’s Hollywood history, one with Tequila (because Margaritas are a “must-have” at our Ranch), and one with Vodka as a crowd-pleaser! Check out these fun recipes below!

The “Christmas Light”

It’s a cranberry champagne cocktail (so you can call it that if you prefer!) With the sparkling wine, bright red cranberry, and the warming glow of orange liqueur, this tasty drink will be sure to light you up!
  • 1/2 oz Cointreau (or another orange liqueur)
  • 100% Cranberry Juice (None of that “juice cocktail” nonsense.)
  • Champagne
That’s it! Much like a mimosa, the juice-to-champagne ratios are determined according to taste, so experiment with the portions to see where on the spectrum you fall. Of course, what completes the presentation is the garnish. All you’ll need is a few rosemary branches and some fresh whole cranberries to happily float in the bubbles.

The “Mrs. Claus-mo”

Not a fan of Champagne? Try a Mrs. Claus-mo!
  • 1 oz Vodka
  • 1/2 oz lime juice
  • 1/2 oz Cointreau (or another orange liqueur)
  • 1 oz 100% Cranberry Juice
Essentially, we swapped the bubbles from the previous drink with vodka and added lime for this classic favorite. For the best result, start by rimming a martini glass with sugar for that frosty effect! In a shaker, pour in all the ingredients over ice and shake. Strain into the prepared martini glass, and garnish with a few cranberries or a lime wheel for that elevated look!

Christmas Margarita

We’re pretty sure not including a Margarita on this list would get us run over by a reindeer, so here it is! This Christmas margarita is a spin-off on the classic. We’ve kept all the traditional ingredients and added 100% cranberry juice. Because it’s unsweetened and very tart, suggest a sugared rim, instead of salt, to balance things out. Here’s what you’ll need to make a Christmas margarita:
  • 2 oz 100% Cranberry Juice
  • 1 oz Tequila (use Blanco or Reposado)
  • 1/2 oz Cointreau
  • 1/2 oz Fresh lime juice
Start by rimming the glass in sugar and fill with ice. In a shaker, pour in all the ingredients over ice and shake. Strain into the prepared glass, and garnish with a few cranberries and a squeeze of fresh lime!

We hope you enjoy these four-ingredient holiday craft cocktails!

All we ask is that you enjoy these drinks responsibly and remember to share the love, not our germs, this holiday season!

Ginny + Michael | Singler Photography

Posted on June 24, 2020
in Updates
by lcr

Bohemian Bold!

 

This resourceful pair combined stunning desert scene photographs, a wild romantic ceremony arch, and minimalist table centerpieces to convey their love of adventure and modern bohemian spirit.

 

 

This gorgeous bride thought of every detail, using the accent colors in her bouquet to inspire her fabulous accessories!

Ginny paired her elegant lace bodice wedding gown with fun pale salmon fringe statement earrings and a set of gorgeous burnt orange satin heels.

 

 

To add a deep contrast to all the warm color tones, Michael and his groomsmen looked sharp in their navy suits.

 

 

In the privacy of the Hacienda’s side garden, the love birds snuck in their First Look.

 

 

Guests made sure to drop off gifts, cards, and any other wedding “responsibilities” at the Welcome Table before finding their ceremony seat.

 

 

Michael and Ginny fell in love with our Washouse’s rustic charm and chose to use it as the base of their incredible ceremony arch.

Rebecca Eichten Floral Art and Design blew us away with her spectacular array of dried desert flowers!

 

 

After the heartfelt vows, everyone cheered for The Big Kiss!

 

 

 

Glowing with excitement, the newlyweds made their way back down the aisle together as Husband and Wife.

 

 

We were so impressed by the statement this bar sign makes with its mesmerizing background!

As Singler Photography stole the happy couple and some choice family away for formal pictures, the rest of the guests helped themselves to the bar from Personal Touch Dining.

 

 

The theme continued to the seating chart as well!

Guests enjoyed the Pixster Photo Booth, and fresh appetizers made on-site from Personal Touch Dining before finding their tables.

 

 

The custom table markers explained the significance of each name to the Bride and Groom.

We love the ingenious use of cement pots to add modern flair to the rustic desert foliage in the centerpieces.

 

 

Every place setting showed an incredible amount of heartfelt attention to detail by Michael and Ginny!

It included a custom menu card, a bundle of sage as a wedding favor, and thank-you-note escort cards.

 

 

After an incredible dinner from Personal Touch Dining, the guests took to the dance floor with Sound Illusions and rocked the night away!

 

 

We’re so happy for this beautiful couple, and are beyond grateful for the chance to be part of their special day!

 

Thanks to the fantastic team of vendors who helped us make the magic happen!

Special thanks to Personal Touch Dining for the Special Event Coordination, Catering, and Venue Management!

 

Vendors

Singler Photography

Sound Illusions DJ services

Rebecca Eichten Floral Art and Design

Personal Touch Dining

Pixster Photo Booth

Amy + Mike | Kami Olavarria Photo | Leo Carrillo Ranch

Posted on July 1, 2019
in Updates
by lcr

 

Where Polish Meets Peach!

 

Amy and Mike had a gorgeous bohemian ceremony and reception here at the Ranch and we loved their deep peach and soft charcoal color theme.

Michelle McClure coordinated and everything looked flawless!

 

Blue Bell Floral was the artist responsible for these gorgeous floral creations.

There were so many interesting and complimentary flowers they used; every time we looked at a bouquet we saw something fun and new!

The Bridal Party looked fantastic in their Marine Dress Blues, black suits, and platinum gowns.

Our Visitor Center Barn cast the perfect backdrop to fit everybody in the shot.

The ceremony at the Pepper Tree in the Wash House Patio enchanted us with the charming yet simple decor.

The Persian rugs and wicker baskets naturally complimented our red stones and dark wooden chairs.

Kami Olavarria Photo absolutely rocked it capturing all the amazing moments throughout the night.

Just look at this “We Did It” glow!

Personal Touch Dining provided appetizers and bar service during cocktail hour while guests enjoyed the perfect weather, mingled, and played some of our lawn games.

This Custom Seating Chart was the perfect mix of clean lines and whimsical flowers and matched the rest of the decor seamlessly!

White, Charcoal and Peachy Terracotta made for a fresh yet rustic feel and the triple-long center table created a fun focal point to the main dining area.

The Grand Entrance had a special Marine tradition: The Arch of Swords, ( AKA Spanking the Spouse according to Military Wedding Traditions), where the Bride and Groom entered the reception area through a tunnel of swords. At the end of the tunnel, they’re stopped and encouraged to kiss which allows them to pass the final guards. As they move past, the last Marine gives the civilian spouse a light tap on the behind and says “Welcome to the Marines!”

This lighthearted and sweet tradition was a treat for all as we watched Amy get accepted into the Marine Family.

Flour Power baked a delicious traditional three-tiered wedding cake, enough to feed all the delighted guests.

Another exciting Marine Wedding Tradition was the Sword Cake Cutting!

Everyone gathered to watch as Mike and Amy expertly sliced out a piece to share.

Pixster helped entertain the party with their user-friendly photobooth packed full of props!

Bill Calhoun Mobile Music was fabulous to work with as always and kept the fiesta flowing all night!

The dancefloor was THE place to be after dinner and the guests had a blast.

 

Just wanted to thank Amy and Mike for choosing to include us in their special day!

We had so much fun with you!

Round of applause to all the awesome vendors mentioned who helped us out and made everything so perfect.

Special thanks to Personal Touch Dining for Managing and Catering all our events!

 

 

 

 

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