entertaining – Melodrama

Salute to Summer Patio Party with Risata Wines

Published on June 12, 2017June 12, 2017 by Krys1 Comment

One of the main things I wanted to do when we moved into our new place was to give our patio a makeover and get it all prettied up for outdoor entertaining and lounging. I’m happy to report phase one of that is done! (I’ll be sharing more about that soon.)

To celebrate I invited some of my new neighbors over and threw a little shindig with the help of Risata Wines. My neighbors didn’t want their photos shown because of privacy reasons, but I did get some photos of my pre-party set up on the new patio.

Hooray!

I invited everyone over for a quick meet and greet so I set out different types of Risata Wines and some snacks to nosh on. I wanted a casual vibe so all I did was lay everything out on a table and a few chairs scattered around.We also hung string lights to add a nice glow in the evening hours. Don’t the mylar balloons spelling out happy phrases look great against our new hedge? I’m thinking about leaving these up full time!We also served a fruity moscato punch that’s super easy to make. All you have to do is puree a handful of strawberries and a handful of pineapple in a pitcher.Then pour in a bottle of chilled Risata Moscato d’Asti and give it a quick stir. Serve cold with a strawberry to garnish!

I can’t wait to entertain more here!Cheers to summer celebrations!

This post was sponsored by Risata®, but as always all opinions and thoughts are my own.

Cocktail Hour with Shaker & Spoon Cocktail Subscription Club

Published on May 13, 2017May 13, 2017 by Krys1 Comment

In honor of today being World Cocktail Day I figured it would be the perfect time to tell you about Shaker & Spoon, a cocktail subscription club that I tried out this month! Shaker & Spoon sends you everything you need to make 3 different cocktail recipes (4 of each, 12 cocktails total). We’re talking syrups, bitters, garnishes, mixers, citrus—everything is included besides the alcohol. Each month is based on a different spirit, so you have the opportunity to try something new with each box. It also makes a great gift for the cocktail lovers in your life.

This month was the agave blanco box. Tequila! My favorite.It was stocked with produce, syrups, bitters, chiles, and even a little bottle of tajin to rim glasses.The easy to follow recipe cards give you all the info you need from instructions to what type of glass to use. The first recipe I tried was a refreshing cocktail made with cucumber, chili pepper, and limes.

The next one is a Mexican version of a moscow mule. It was made with a delicious Mexican spice syrup and ginger beer.

Last but not least, a spicy recipe featuring mole bitters, habanero shrub, and agave!

Thirsty yet? You can sign up now and receive $20 off any subscription with the discount code ‘melodrama’!

The next box is Sake (the Japanese fermented rice liquor) and Shaker & Spoon will be donating a portion of proceeds to the Helen David Relief Fund, which assists women in the bar industry who are fighting breast cancer. If you’d like to further support this great cause and will be in Las Vegas on May 19th, you can attend the annual For the Love Of Cocktails event! They will be raising money for the HDRF and showcasing 35 cocktails by bartenders from around the country.

Cheers, babies!

This post was sponsored by Shaker & Spoon but as always, all thoughts and content are my own.

Summer Picnic Idea: Riondo Prosecco and Peach Sorbet

Published on August 1, 2016August 30, 2016 by Krys1 Comment

This post was sponsored by Riondo Prosecco through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about Riondo Prosecco, all opinions are my own.

One of my favorite things to do during summertime is to pack an evening picnic, complete with Riondo Prosecco, and sip away while watching the sunset.

Even though this prosecco can be thoroughly enjoyed on its own, my current favorite thing to do is pour it over fruity sorbet! image1 (1).JPG

Peach sorbet is my personal favorite. Serving it with Riondo Prosecco is a summery combination that’s perfect for a warm evening spent watching the sun go down.

Trust me. Now go pack a cooler, grab a couple of glasses, and relax with this tasty summer combo.

Cheers!

DIY: Patrón Bottle Cantina Lights | The Art of Patrón

Published on July 7, 2015August 4, 2015 by Krys3 Comments

Alright, guys. Here’s my last Art of Patrón bottle art contest project. This time I used mini bottles!

All you need for this is a strand of standard string lights and as many mini Patrón bottles as you can muster. Just buy a bunch and keep drinking them until you have enough. It’s a hard job, but somebody has to do it.

Drill a hole straight through the top of the cork, making it just big enough to fit the light through snuggly.

Feed the lights through the cork so only the bulb part is sticking out.

Then just place the cork back in the bottle. These corks are snug as a bug so it should hold nicely.

I didn’t need to use any glue or anything, but feel free if you’re worried about the cork slipping out.

That’s it! Patrón cantina lights perfect for taco night or bar decor.

Feeling inspired to create something with your Patrón bottles? Time is almost up, so if you’re going to enter you better get on it quick! The deadline for entries is July 17th. One lucky winner will win $10,000 and nine runners up will win $1,000! Click here to enter. If you need more inspo and want to see what else I’ve made using my Patrón bottles, click here.

This project was sponsored and made possible by Patrón.

Pineapple Lime Tequila Cooler Cocktail Recipe

Published on June 8, 2015November 29, 2016 by KrysLeave a comment

Summer doesn’t officially start for a couple more weeks, but it sure feels like it’s here already. As I write this I am sweaty and parched because it’s currently 85 degrees and there’s not a cloud in the sky. With weather like this it’s very important to stay hydrated. I secretly hate water so I made a tropical and refreshing alcoholic drink instead. It’s low calorie too (if you care about that sort of thing).

Here’s how to you make this quick and easy summer cocktail.

(Makes 1 cocktail)
2 slices of pineapple
Juice of half a lime
2 ounces Patròn Silver
Lime flavored sparkling water, like La Croix

Muddle pineapple in a tall glass. Add lime juice and tequila and mix. Add crushed ice. Fill glass with sparkling water. Garnish with lime, pineapple, and a cherry.

Aperol, Rose, and Sparkling Wine Cocktail Recipe

Published on February 3, 2015August 4, 2015 by Krys2 Comments

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Whenever I'm in San Diego you can probably find me here. This place has everything I love in life – great design, lots of marble and gold, vintage charm, and cocktails on draft. 🙌

A post shared by Krys Melo (@melodrama) on Jan 20, 2015 at 11:07am PST

As you can see above, I really like this cool spot in San Diego called Polite Provisions, and one of my favorite drinks on the menu is the Veronica Rose. The menu’s description reads “Aperol, rose gomme, and sparkling wine”. Perfect.

It’s delicious and beautiful, but since I can’t get down to San Diego every time I want one, I recreated it at home. Here’s my version of the Veronica Rose.

This recipe makes two drinks:

1 oz. Aperol
1 oz. rose syrup (I recommend Royal Rose Syrup)
3-4 dashes Angostura bitters
4 oz sparkling wine

Stir Aperol, rose syrup, and bitters with a cube of ice, strain into chilled glasses. Top with sparkling wine. Garnish with a lemon twist or, as I like to do, a rose petal.

Or if you only want to make it a serving for one…get serious, just use a larger glass.

DIY: Ouija Board Serving Tray

Published on October 27, 2014October 1, 2017 by Krys9 Comments

If you want to be the Halloween hostess with the mostest, you need this Ouija board tray to serve your guests their cocktails and treats. Also, maybe conjure some spirits while you’re at it. Just kiddingggg…kind of.

You can find basic serving trays like this at most stores that sell home goods. I got mine at IKEA.

I wanted to use a classically creepy image and the Ouija board is one of the most iconic things I could think of. It works perfectly for this. I searched for the right image and decided on the William Fuld/Parker Brothers version. This is the image I associate most with the Ouija, and I like the cheekiness of the Parker Brothers name being on there. What a fun toy…and not satanic at all…it’s Parker Brothers!

oujia board — Click to download full size image.

Above is the image I used for my tray. For it to fit I had it printed at 24 x 18 on heavy paper. You can crop and resize it to fit the size of your tray and then take it to your local print shop. I went to FedEx Office.

First, I painted the tray black and then I cut out my Ouija image to fit in the bottom of the tray. I used Mod Podge in a matte finish to stick and seal the image on. Easy!

It looks legit right? I just hope the wine glasses don’t start moving over the letters to spell things out. Although, I’m sure if I drink enough wine it’ll look like that anyway.

DIY: Hand Painted Wooden Spoons

Published on May 13, 2014August 4, 2015 by Krys7 Comments

Sometimes I go shopping because I need something simple for the kitchen, like a pot holder or napkins, and I then I find myself getting frustrated because either everything is totally not what I’m looking for or just plain meh. Like these wooden spoons from IKEA. Borrring zzzzz. Cheap, but snoooozefest. I’ve seen cute wooden spoons in stores before, usually for like a million dollars, or at least more than I’ve been willing to spend on them. I knew I could totally DIY what I had in mind, so I did what any crafty betch would do…

I dug into my collection of Martha Stewart Crafts products and grabbed my gold leaf pen.

This is so basic, you guys. Just tape off the handle and start painting however you want!

I used Martha Stewart Craft paint in Camellia Pink and Wedding Cake white, Krylon gold leaf pen, and a good two coats of Martha Stewart’s high gloss decoupage to seal it all in. Just let dry thoroughly between coats. This decoupage is dishwasher safe and non-toxic so it’s perfect for kitcheware projects like this!

Easy peasy! Now you never have to let your serving and cooking spoons be boring again. Yay!

Appetizer Alert! Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese on Cucumber Rounds

Published on January 6, 2014January 6, 2014 by KrysLeave a comment

Happy New Year, guys! I gained a lot of weight over the holidays. I’m talking the weight of a toddler. No fucks were given about what I shoved in my mouth from October 1st to January 1st. So guess what I’m doing? Low carbing. I know, I know. Save me the lecture about dieting. Listen, I have to be a bridesmaid in wedding in less than 4 months and I already bought the damn dress. I need it to fit or I’m totally screwed. Anyway, low carbing hasn’t sucked as bad as I remember. I mean I WAS a strict vegetarian back when I did it years ago, that probably had a lot to do with it. My husband and I are both way better at cooking than we were back then too. That helps. Luckily we have recipes that we eat year round that just happen to be low carb. I’m a major nosher so I usually whip up appetizer type things to nibble on while I cook or watch movies.

This is one of my favorites. I like to serve these with a glass of nice dry riesling. MmmmMmmm. They are perfect for any occasion from game night to dinner parties.

You can smoke your own salmon if you want but you can also get cold smoked salmon at your grocery store (I get mine at Trader Joes). It’s already smoked and sliced so it’s ready when you are. Look for “smoked” salmon and not “cured” salmon (lox). You’ll also need cream cheese and cucumbers. Peel the cucumber and slice it up. Don’t slice it too thin or it’ll be floppy and won’t hold all the good toppings. 1/4 inch thick is good. Spread a little cream cheese on each slice and top with a piece of salmon. I don’t cut my salmon, I like to break it apart with my hands. It looks prettier. Lay them out on a platter and watch them disappear. NOMNOMNOM.

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