Serving Up a Fully Loaded Coffee Party

Irish Coffee in the City

What better way to shake off the Back-to-Work or School Blues than with a fully-loaded drinks-n-desserts coffee party as an alternative to the cocktail party?

From my favorite products to delicious drink and dessert recipes, I will show you how to select, brew and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee.

Wow your guests with MoJo fun facts such as the Ottoman Turks introduced coffee to the West. Considered a sociable drink, they drank it all day long, often replacing wine. The Turks even related coffee to intellectual activities and referred to the first cafes as "schools for cultivated people." Later, throughout Italy, coffee bars became famous and important cultural centers for politicians, writers and intellects.

Even if you're not from Damascus, you can still translate coffee into a fun, chic and an easy way to entertain. A coffee-n-dessert party promises to keep you dishing for hours.

Stocking Your Coffee Cupboard

Beans
Get things brewing by using brown coffee filters to design novel invitations…simply write date, time, address and fun coffee trivia right on the filter. "Espress" yourself with barista know-how! Did you know for a perfect shot of espresso, Arabica coffee beans are widely recommended and used by the best chefs and baristas. A single shot requires between 7-9 grams. In my pantry, I like to keep some superbe Lavazza or Illy.

For just a great cup of joe, I try and scoot into Dean & Deluca's coffee isle, where my head spins with the terrific choices. Their full-bodied Charlotte Blend is rich and delicious and great for specialty coffee drinks and desserts.

Brew

To brew coffee with a real European kick, a stovetop espresso maker delivers gold. For a fancier presentation, you can serve each guest an individual French Press from Sur la Table. For a new twist on gourmet coffee making, Philips Senseo Coffee Pod System will have everyone percolating in no time at all.

Mugs & More

Now that you're comfy with coffee, it's time to serve it up in style! From the ultimate in cups visit Itlay's Caffe Moak where Sicilian artist Loredana Roccasalva designs Moak Joaellerie jewel-cup collections. Or check out the simply chic clean lines from Nespresso's classic porcelain cups and taste Madison Avenue.

At my last party, my friends fell in love with the colorful rock candy swizzle sticks. Rock candy swizzle sticks add a touch of fun and sophistication. Dryden & Palmers box sets at sweeten as you stir...! Wrapped in a little bow, they make a perfect gift for the coffee lover and are great for entertaining or the perfect hostess gift. Or have your java passport stamped and offer guests La Perruche Pure Can Sugar Cubes. Perfumed with hints of honey and vanilla, they are ideal for coffee fetes.

COFFEE CAFE: YOUR COFFEE DRINK MENU

NesCafe Frappe
A classic and all-time favorite Greek coffee drink that's refreshing any time of the day. Ingredients: NesCafe, Sugar, Milk, Crushed Ice. In a blender, add half a cup of instant NesCafe coffee, half a cup of milk, sugar and a cup of crushed ice. Blend on high until smooth and frothy. Serve immediately in a tall glass with a straw.

Irish Coffee
One Irish Coffee glass, preheated , 1/4 cup full roast brewed coffee, 2 teaspoons sugar, 1 jigger Irish whiskey, 1/4 cup lightly whipped cream. Pour hot coffee in the heated glass. Add sugar and stir to dissolve. Mix in the whiskey. Top with whipped cream. Fresh and naturally whipped cream is your on demand with a stainless steel maker, N2O cartridges, confectioner's sugar, heavy cream and a touch of vanilla bean extract. Voila!

Bailey's Irish Cream Coffee
This drink can sometimes have a jigger of creme de cacao and 1/2 teaspoon of Frangelico added to the glass, depending on the bartender. Ingredients include one 12-ounce wine glass, preheated, 10 ounces medium roast brewed coffee, 1 1/2 jiggers Bailey's Original Irish Cream, 1/4 cup heavy cream, whipped until stiff peaks form, Ground cinnamon. Pour hot coffee into the heated glass. Add the Bailey's and mix well. Top with a mound of freshly whipped cream and a few dashes of cinnamon if desired. Serves one.

Curacao Coffee
A fabulous beverage found in ultra-chic Italian cafes. Ingredients include 50% coffee liquor, 50% curacao, two teaspoons orange juice, crushed ice and a fresh orange slice for garnish. Place ingredients into a shaker and mix well. Pour into a highball glass with the crushed ice and garnish with the orange slice. Serve with a thick straw.

Mocha Chartreuse Cocktail
This promises to impress your guests with style. Ingredients include 50% strong espresso, 25% Baileys, splash of chartreuse, one teaspoon melted chocolate, one-half teaspoon cocoa powder for garnish, crushed ice. In a shaker, combine all ingredients except cocoa powder. Shake well over ice and pour contents into a highball glass. Lightly sprinkle with cocoa powder before serving.

Frangelico Coffee
Well known as an aphrodisiac, Frangelico will launch you into a happy mood! Ingredients include one 12-ounce wine glass, preheated, 10 ounces full roast brewed coffee, 1½ jiggers Frangelico liqueur, ¼ cup lightly whipped cream. Pour hot coffee in the heated wine glass and stir in the Frangelico. Top with the freshly whipped cream. Serves 1. ** Coffee Tip: To capture a particular taste, grind together a fresh almond with your coffee beans.

COFFEE CAFÉ DESSERTS

Ricotta & Almond Custard

4 cups of cold strong coffee, 2¾ cups ricotta cheese, 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1/3 cup toasted almonds for garnish, 2 egg yolks, 8 tablespoons rum. In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks and sugar together until light and creamy. In a separate bowl, mix well the ricotta cheese until smooth and creamy. Combine the ricotta with the egg mixture. Add the cold coffee and rum and carefully mix until well incorporated. Divide the cream into 4 tumblers and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes. Chop toasted almonds and sprinkle atop before serving guests. Serve with almond biscuits and biscotti.

Choco-Kahlua Coffee Pound Cake

Cake: 1 box Devil's Food Pudding Cake mix, ½ cup sugar, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 3 eggs, ¾ cup water, ¼ cup bourbon, ½ cup kahlua, ¾ cup espresso, 2 teaspoons cocoa powder. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat on high speed all ingredients together for 4 minutes. Pour into a greased bundt pan and bake for 50 minutes. Allow to cool on a wire rack. Remove and place on serving platter.

Icing: ½ stick unsalted butter, 1 cup sugar, 1/3 cup evaporated milk, 1½ cup dark chocolate chips. In a medium saucepan or double boiler, melt butter, sugar and evaporated milk over medium heat. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in the chocolate chips until melted. Pour over cake and serve.

If baking takes too much time, take an online shortcut and buy some delicious biscotti from Best Dolci and some of the most amazing chocolate covered espresso beans from Kona Coffee.

We'd love to hear about your percolating stories and java parties. So, remember to check-in with us anytime to share your favorite coffee concoctions, sweet dishes, photos and more!