The second cocktail to add to your list of favourites is the classic Cosmopolitan.  A staple in bars all year round.  TheCosmopolitan only needs vodka, triple sec, lemonade and cranberry juice.

Ingredients
  1 oz. vodka          
  ½ oz. Triple Sec
  ½ oz. limeade mix
  ½ oz. cranberry juice

Combine all ingredients to your shaker with ice and then pour into any glass you like.  That's it!

Mix all of the following ingredients into a big bowl and then pour into spray bottles. 
1 tbsp bicarb soda,
1 tbsp cloudy ammonia
60ml white vinegar
1 drop of lavender oil
1 tbsp liquid castile soap (health food store)
2 litres hot water.
And Voila - your very own environmentally friendly, affordable DIY cleaning product.

All of us have someone in our lives with some sort of dietary restriction, whether it be diabetes, high cholesterol, or the more common vegetarian or vegan. It is no secret that cooking for large groups of people can already be a hassle, but add special diets into the mix and you could have a frustrating and costly catering bill on your hands.

My advice to anyone throwing an event where food will be served – do not be afraid to ask your guests! Ask about allergies, what people do or do not eat, etc. These questions will not only save you time and embarrassment, they’ll save you money. Many people think it easier to make one vegetarian option, one meat option. This is a good idea if, and only if, half of your guests don't eat meat. If not, you just wasted half of your food budget on food that won’t be eaten!

With all the buzz about organic foods and low-fat alternatives, there is no reason not to do some recipe research. Get on the internet and try out a new healthy recipe to incorporate into your menu! Your guests will thank you (and so will your waistline!) if you can find low-calorie or non-fat alternatives, do so! Those guests that do have medical restrictions won’t feel left out or set apart if you manage to encompasses everyone’s needs. Catering to those with special dietary needs can be a challenge, but one that does not go unnoticed! People will appreciate your consideration and your event will be a hit.

Parties are fun. Parties are enjoyable. And like any other type of event, parties are susceptible to disasters.

Most of us like to think our party is foolproof, however, a disaster could strike at any moment, in many shapes and forms. Whether you're having a party at a local park and it starts to rain, to throwing a party at your home and experience a sudden blackout, preparing for these events is crucial!

Preparing for a 'Party Disaster' is a lot simpler than you think. Many people do it subconsciously without even realising it. The general premise of party disasters goes as follows: research, and equip yourself properly.

Research for your party depends completely on where your parties taking place, and when. If you're hosting a party outside, research the weather patterns. You do not want to get caught in the rain while throwing a party. Research the traffic flow if you are throwing a party at a remote location (because no host in their right mind wants to be late to their own party).  If you are hiring a venue, ensure everything works! prior to the day.

If the rain clouds have been forming and there's a high chance of rain in the general vicinity of your outdoor party, have a backup plan formulated before you set up. You may have a power outage, or need to enquire about the local pizza parlour.

Equip yourself with the necessary tools to ensure that even if a disaster does strike, you are adequately prepared and equipped for the occasion. If its an indoor party, and you loose power, ensure you have candles and torches around. If your driving a long distance to your party, make sure to have extra gas. 

By preparing, you are saving time and emotional energy in the long run, by preventing disasters which can potentially ruin your party.

Warning - you might like this!  Four simple ingredients for you time pour party goers.

Ingredients
  1 oz. Southern Comfort
  1 oz. Amaretto
  ½ oz. Sloe Gin
  Dash of lemon juice

Combine all ingredients except the lemon juice, in a highball glass over ice. Once mixed add the dash of lemon juice on top and stir until well mixed. 

Some friends have requested I donate to a charity in place of giving them a birthday gift.  These friends want to do something for others which in turn make them feel good knowing they are doing something worthy. Such friends wholeheartedly believe that they receive even more, knowing they are contributing to a better life of somebody else. In this world of consumerism, we have an abundance. Such a small contribution makes such a big difference in the lives of less fortunate in our community. 

Choose your charity (it could be a local not for profit community, or an overseas outreach centre helping children); the list is endless. Your generous spirit will inspire others and make for a better world.

The first cocktail I have for you is the delicious Sangria. There are quite a few ingredients but it’s worth it! For Sangria you will need red wine, orange juice, 7 UP, lemons, limes, an orange, brandy, sugar, orange liqueur, fresh lemon and lime juice and ice.  This will serve 8 people. 

Ingredients-
  3 cups dry red wine      
  1 ½ cups of 7-UP
  1 ½ cups of orange juice
  16 lime slices
  16 lemon slice 
  8 orange slices
  ½ cup of brandy
  ¼ cup of sugar
  2 tbsp. Cointreau liqueur or orange liqueur
  2 tbsp. grenadine
  2 tbsp. of fresh lemon juice
  2 tbsp. of fresh lime juice
  Ice cubes

Stir together all ingredients in a large pitcher with half of the lemon and lime slices. Let the mixture stand for 30 minutes and then fill 8 large wine glasses with ice cubes and Sangria. Garnish with the remaining lemons and limes.

Party considerations are very crucial for the success of your party and as such should not be taken lightly. When throwing a party, you must consider: who to invite, what to offer, and how to approach the party. Deciding who to invite to the party is incredibly important, as everything you do for the party later is wholly linked on who is coming. When considering your guests, think about how compatable they will be as a whole. Deciding on what to offer affects who will show up. Inviting people is one thing, but getting them to show up is another. Make sure to offer activities and foods that will appeal to your guests; likewise, make sure that you stress the appeal of these activities to your possible guests. This will make your party appealing and decrease the number of ‘no-shows’. 

There are several ways to approach a party. There are ‘socializing’ parties, ‘activity based’ parties, ‘celebration’ based parties, and many more. Each of these has their own appeals, and each of these is appropriate for different situations. Based on your party guests, your decorations, your theme, even what you plan on wearing, decide on what type of party you wish to throw.

When you think actively about your party in this way, you better improve your chances of it succeeding. Make sure to stress what your party has to offer. This will attract people who are hesitant about showing up. Themes have a great appeal factor for parties, as well as allowing for a versatile and ultimately enjoyable experience. For a guide on party themes, which covers a few types and how to decide on which theme will work best for you, get online.

This is a strong cocktail so be warned.   Even though its name may be deceiving it is a delicious cocktail. The Long Island Iced Tea can be mistaken for a light drink but it has quite a bit of liquor in it and even though there isn’t iced tea in it, the taste resembles tea quite a bit. Here’s what you need:

Ingredients
  ½ oz. vodka
  ½ oz. gin
  ½ oz. light rum
  ¼ oz. tequila
  ½ oz. triple sec
  1 tbsp. lemon juice (or to taste)
  6 oz. cola (or to fill)

Fill a mixing glass with ice and add liquors and lemon juice (do not add the cola just yet). Shake and strain into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Now is the time to add the cola. It can be garnished with a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint. Long Island Iced Teas are also usually served with a straw and an ice tea spoon. Serves one, enjoy!