The clinking of champagne glasses always conjures up in my mind images of long ago elegant parties. Ladies in elaborate gowns spin around the dance floor with dapper men, as melodious music plays.
Closing my eyes, I envision what extravagant galas thrown by generations of Vanderbilts would have been like. This wealthy family, descended from railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt, have always known how to entertain.
In the Victorian era, it was the wife of one of Cornelius’ grandsons who was famous for her lavish gatherings. Alva Vanderbilt (later Alva Belmont) threw her sumptuous events in her many beautiful homes. Always happy to dress the part of grand hostess, she sometimes wore a rope of pearls that had belonged to Catherine the Great. But Alva was much more than just a socialite. As a suffragette, she campaigned tirelessly for women’s rights.
Years later, her great-niece, the designer and artist Gloria Vanderbilt was known for her sophisticated soirées. Enjoying high society as well as high profile romances, she loved to entertain in her luxurious apartments. In the late 1960s her paintings brought her artistic recognition, leading to her success in the fashion world. Gloria eventually earned more money then she inherited, which she was extremely proud of.
My gatherings are certainly not as grand, but I do love a glass of bubbly! Also, being a fan of mocktails, I’m always concocting a new version. I love watermelon and wanted to come up with something fun for summer incorporating this sweet fruit. So, I came up with two refreshing goodies….Watermelon Lime Ice Cubes and Watermelon Pink Party Lemonade. I hope you will be enticed to partake in at least one!
Watermelon Lime Ice Cubes
4 cups puréed watermelon
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
First mix the puréed watermelon and lime juice in a bowl. Then pour it into ice cube trays. I like to use silicone diamond shaped molds. Place in the freezer until frozen.
Watermelon Pink Party Lemonade
6 pink lemons
5 cups cold water
1 cup puréed watermelon
8 Rainier cherries
Fresh mint leaves
First juice the lemons. Will make about 1 cup of liquid. Now pour the juice into a large pitcher. Add in the water and puréed watermelon. Then remove the stems and pits from the cherries and dice them. Next put the cherry pieces into the pitcher. Lastly add mint leaves. Refrigerate till chilled.
