“Cilantro Limeade Rum Cooler”
It seems that the “Third Thursday Potluck” here in Nashville, started by lover’s of good foods and good deeds Nancy Vienneau (Good Food Matters) & Gigi Gaskins (HatWRKS), is getting quite a bit of buzz. Relish Magazine (relish.com) is now running a regular monthly column on this wonderfully social, local & edible event. Writer, Nancy Vienneau shares with readers interesting, seasonal recipes as well as tips on how to start your own community potluck dinner club. Third Thursday is always one of my very favorite evenings of each month. I love the food, the camaraderie, the ever-changing parade of guests as well as the stalwart friends.
For a few years now Third Thursday Potluck has been hosted by Nancy and Gigi. One month at Nancy’s house, the next at Gigi’s, both in the Hillsboro/Belmont neighborhood of Nashville. This July they decided to shake things up a bit. They asked me to host a “Pop-Up Third Thursday Potluck” at my house in Historic Germantown, downtown Nashville. It was lots of fun, well attended, the food & drink abundant & outstanding. It was a hot night….perfect for lots of fresh local foods & homemade peach ice cream, not to mention a large jar of my ice-cold “Cilantro Limeade Rum Cooler” made especially for the evening.
First a quick recipe for “Cilantro Limeade Rum Cooler for Third Thursday July”
1 1/2 cups Raw Sugar
1 bunch fresh Cilantro
1 cup Water
2 cups fresh squeezed Lime Juice
2 cups (or to taste) White Rum
1/2 cup St. Germain or other Elderflower Liqueur
Lots of Crushed Ice, Seltzer Water, Lime wheels for Garnish
1. Make a “simple syrup” by putting the raw sugar & water into a saucepan on med heat. Bring to a boil, stirring to melt sugar. Remove from heat, stir in fresh cilantro sprigs, cover & let cool. When cooled, strain out cilantro & discard. Pour syrup into a large pitcher or jar when ready to serve.
2. Add fresh lime juice, white rum & liqueur. Mix and adjust taste if needed. Fill pitcher or jar halfway with crushed ice. Fill the rest of the way with seltzer water. Serve with additional crushed ice, lime wheels & cilantro sprigs.
Photo Gallery of “Third Thursday July Pop-Up Potluck Dinner”
Everything is ready…
Great people, lots of laughter, conversations, fresh good food…
We ate outside, inside and on the steps!
Then there were desserts…pies, cookies, ice cream, berries & cream, bread puddings.
Do you have room for dessert? I think so…..
Bon Appetit.
I loved this post because it reminded me of how much fun I had that night
It was a very fun night! Thank you for hosting the Pop-Up Potluck. Everything was so artfully arranged, as only you can do. And, your Limeade Rum Cooler was much imbibed and enjoyed—perfect for that sultry July evening.
Liz & Nancy, I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed “playiing hostess”. Thanks to you both.
This all sings to me. I love the food the cocktail, and especially this idea. I would love to start something like this. Everything looks fun and full of good memories.
Let me know if you are interested and I can put you on the email invite for next month. It is lots of fun.
Although I couldn’t make it, I feel like I was there. I can see it was a hit due in no small part to your warm hospitality and love of a party. Jill
Although I couldn’t make it, I can see it was a hit. Due in no small part to your warm hospitality and love of a good party. Jill
Next time Jill, next time. You are always missed! T
And i wasn’t there, darn. Beautiful and tasteful and that drink! yummy.
You would have loved it so much, lots of fun people, good cocktails, even better food…maybe again in the fall?
Beautiful and inspiring! Can’t wait to make the drink for friends.
Stacy, thanks so much for commenting. It means a lot to me. This drink is sneaky. On hot days or nights it is a real thirst quencher ,not to mention it gives a real nice buzz! T
SOOOO much fun! Thanks for including us!
Oh yeah, now you will be invited every month as you brought on of my favorite dishes for a hot summer night…sushi!
Wish I lived closer! Cilantro and Lime, sounds delicious!!
Looks like a great time…and lots of yummy food. Love looking at your pictures!
Dawn, I can easily add you to our mailing list for the months to come…and perhaps you & your husband (or not) can join us. So wonderful to hear from you my friend.
The Cilantro Limeade was very unique and refreshing! Thanks so much for hosting. Those rosemary cookies were also incredible!
I love this. I so enjoy when Nancy talks about the pot luck dinners so it was great to see photos of all of you. What a great party!
I love these posts on the Pot Lucks, the food, the company, the settings all look fabulous. And what a wonderful drink to sip on a summer evening!
It sounds like a wonderful evening. A question about the cocktail…did you have a pitcher with the cilantro rum mixture and a separate pitcher of ice and seltzer and them you mixed the two for each drink?
Hi,
I have a quick question about your blog, do you think you could e-mail me?
Jillian
Looks like so much fun. Yes, I have room for dessert!