I can’t think of a better time to introduce my brother-in-law, Chip, and his wife, Andrea, and their signature cocktails. In their downtime, with their neighbors Jeff and Emma, they have developed a very humorous, interesting list.

They have all kinds of clever ideas. They are even tossing around the thought of, in their later years, both buying condos near each other and putting in a Jack-and-Jill bar. They may be on to something here.

Hey, let’s grab a drink in the bar.

And in their bar, they will serve only their signature cocktails, which will be printed on a special menu. Sounds fun to me.

The first drink on the list is The Monday Morning Conference Call. This is the perfect choice after a busy holiday weekend. Nothing’s wrong with the hair of the dog, and besides, it’s still the holidays.

Because you already know what kind of week it’s going to be.

Monday Morning Conference Call

Makes 1 drink

1 cup of cold coffee

1 ounce Baileys Original Irish Cream

1 ounce Jameson

Splash of Kahlua to taste

1 packet of Splenda (optional)

Combine all ingredients, and serve over ice.

Orange Toast

Makes 44 pieces

Zest of 2 oranges

1 cup powdered sugar

½ cup unsalted butter

22 slices of very thin white bread

Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

Stir together orange zest, powdered sugar, and butter until blended.

Trim crusts from bread with a long, serrated knife; spread butter mixture thinly on both sides of the bread. Place on an ungreased baking sheet; cut bread slices in half lengthwise.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until dry and toasted, turning after 20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.

Leslie Likes: Pepperidge Farm Very Thin White Bread

Leslie Byars Register

Yields 44 pieces

Orange Toast

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Ingredients

• Zest of 2 oranges
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 22 slices of very thin white bread

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
2. Stir together orange zest, powdered sugar, and butter until blended.
3. Trim crusts from bread with a long, serrated knife; spread butter mixture thinly on both sides of the bread. Place on an ungreased baking sheet; cut bread slices in half lengthwise.
4. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until dry and toasted, turning after 20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.

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https://dearpartydiary.com/the-monday-morning-conference-call/

The second drink on their list is called the Rendition. It’s a very refreshing and beautiful drink.

Because you’re not quite sure which jurisdiction you are going to wake up in.

Rendition

Makes 1 drink

1 to 2 ounces Stoli Blueberry Vodka

Juice from ½ of a Key lime or lime

4 to 5 fresh blueberries

1 large sprig of fresh mint

Ice

Sprite Zero

In a small pitcher, combine vodka, lime juice, blueberries, and mint. With a wooden muddler, crush the berries and mint to release their flavors into the vodka and lime juice. Add ice and top off with Sprite Zero.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more on Chip and Andrea’s specialty cocktail list.

Emergency Appetizer

For those who follow one of my Instagram accounts, Leslie’s Party Diaries and Leslie.Register, you may have seen me mention this Emergency Appetizer before, but after several requests, I decided to add it to the mini magazine.

If you are looking for a hot dip and live near a Trader Joe’s, pick up a container of their Spinach and Kale Greek Yogurt Dip. Top it with fresh Parmesan cheese, and bake at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly. Serve with crackers, assorted vegetables, or chips. It couldn’t be easier than that!

Also, be sure to pick up a copy of Birmingham Home and Garden magazine (birminghamhomeandgarden.com) coming out January 1st. I’ll be doing their food column in the coming issues. My first topic will be easy, lighter Mexican fare. Check it out!

Happy New Year!