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Cocktails & Aprons For a Swell Time

You may know the stylish chef Lisa Garza from The Next Food Network Star, or as the preferred caterer to Oscar de La Renta and Carolina Herrera. Now this cocktail event specialist and lifestyle maven wants to bring retro-chic back to hosting with a line of Betty Draper-worthy aprons in silk shantung, organza, and vintage fabrics.

Couture Caviar, her line of vintage inspired aprons, was born out of Garza’s love for vintage handkerchiefs and her need to look stylish while catering. At her Couture Caviar cocktail reception at NorthPark in Dallas, Garza served her specialty cocktail, the Arnold Palmer, along with the cocktail bites she’s famous for.

Lisa’s Arnold Palmer Vodka Punch:

Combine sugar and hot water. Stir until dissolved. Let cool completely. Stir in lemon juice. Combine lemon mixture with tea vodka in a large pitcher. Chill. Serve in mason jars over ice. Garnish with mint and, or, lemon slices.

2  cups sugar

2  cups hot water

12 large lemons, juiced

10 cups cold water, sparkling or still

1  750ml bottle of homemade tea vodka (see below)

1 bunch mint

2 lemons sliced to garnish

Black Tea Vodka:

Combine the tea leaves and vodka in a pitcher, making sure to save the original bottle and cap. Stir well. Steep overnight, for 18 hrs. Poor vodka mixture through a strainer and discard tea leaves. Funnel tea infused vodka back into original bottle. Serve straight, on the rocks or as a base for a more complex cocktail.

1  750ml bottle Vodka

6  level teaspoons whole leaf Black Tea – good quality