Cocktails to Cupcakes: Pink & Green Theme

Welcome to the 1st edition of Cocktails to Cupcakes! Every Friday I'll be featuring all the details to host a perfect soiree with a different theme each week. So get ready for sweet recipes, colorful decor, and fabulous outfits to match!

Barbie Doll-icious!
1.5 oz Knob Creek
1 oz Cranberry
.75 oz Pineapple Juice
.75 oz fresh OJ
.75 oz fresh Lemon Juice
Ginger Ale
Combine all the ingredients except ginger ale in a shaker.
Shake well and pour.
Top with a splash of ginger ale

Courtesy of Hostess With The Mostess. She always has the most amazing cocktail recipes & other party details. This one was from a Barbie theme party (In case you couldn't tell from the name!)

Cool As a Cucumber Bite

Shopping List:
-2 thin cucbmbers
-1 bunch spring onions
-1-2 ounces flaked, cooked, salmon
-1-2 ounces goat's milk chevre
- Bloody Mary salt

Get to Cooking:
1. Peel the cucumber and slice into 1/4 to 1/3 inch slices.
2. Slice the spring onions into 1/4 to 1/3 inch slices.
3. Arrange the appetizers by placing a cucumber round, topped with a spring onion round.
4. Top with a piece of flaked salmon, a dollop of chevre, and a sprinkling of Bloody Mary salt.

Loveee this appetizer from Cook Local!

Basil & Garlic Vegetable Pasta 

Shopping List:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white balsamic or white wine
2  teaspoons basil & garlic seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups assorted veggies (broccoli, bell pepper strips,cherry tomatoes)
8 oz penne pasta
8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into chunks

Get to Cooking:
1-Boil water, add penne, cook till it's ready (Ya'll are smart enough to know how to make pasta)
2- Mix oil, vinegar, basil & garlic, and salt into large bowl. Blend together well.
3- Add veggies, pasta & mozzarella into bowl. Toss until it's all coated.
4- Serve immediately!

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

Shopping List:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 egg whites
1/3 cup thawed frozen Pink Lemonade Concentrate
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 or more drop of red food coloring

Get to baking:
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda & salt in a small bowl.
In a larger bowl, whisk sugar, oil, egg whites & lemonade concentrate together. Alternately whisk in buttermilk and flour mixture, making 3 additions of flour mixture & 2 of buttermilk, beating until it's smooth. Add just enough food coloring to turn batter pink.
Scoop batter into liner.  Bake 20-25 minutes.
Let them cool for 10 minutes.

Shop for Icing Goodies!:
3 cups + 3 Tbsp confectioner's sugar
1 stick unsalted butter (room temperature)
1/8 Tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. pink lemonade concentrate
Red food coloring

Get to Icing:
Add the butter, confectioner's sugar, salt, lemon juice, and a couple drops of food coloring.
Mix on low using a paddle attachment in a stand mixer
Mix on med-high till the icing is fluffy & evenly pink.
Pipe or spread onto cooled cupcake.

Many thanks to Cast Sugar for this stellar recipe! I love finding new uses for common things (Turning drink concentrate into a main ingredient for a cupcake?! Brilliance!)