WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22
WEEK FIVE PLAYLIST
This week in Volume 5, we’re throwing it back to some old school jams by Phish and Dave Matthews Band, and groovin' all the way through to vibe on some sexy tracks from Janelle Monáe and Rihanna. So couple up with your cutie, and let this week's playlist set the tone for the perfect evening at home together!
WEEK FIVE COCKTAILS
GAIA'S GARDEN
INGREDIENTS
3 oz silver tequila
2 oz fresh lemon juice
2 oz *cucumber juice
3/4 oz *honey black pepper syrup
small pinch of sea salt
Cucumber Juice
2 small Persian cucumbers
1/4 c water
Honey Black Pepper Syrup
1 Tbs honey
1 Tbs water
small pinch of cracked black pepper
THE PREP
Make cucumber juice by pureeing chopped cucumber with water. Strain out solids
Make honey pepper syrup by heating water and honey together for 10 seconds in microwave or stovetop - do not burn. Add a few cracks of fresh black pepper
Add tequila, lemon juice, cucumber juice, honey syrup and salt to a shaker with a few ice cubes. Shake to combine
Fill two glasses with ice and pour cocktail over top.
Garnish with mint, cucumber or peas
CARROTS AND COSMOS
INGREDIENTS
2 inch piece ginger, sliced
4 oz carrot juice
3.5 oz vodka
1.5 oz lemon juice
1.5 oz *simple syrup
1-2 egg whites (1 for less foam)
THE PREP
Add ginger to a shaker and muddle well
Prepare simple syrup (equal parts water to sugar - use less sugar if you want cocktail to be less sweet)
Add vodka, carrot juice, simple syrup, lemon and egg whites to a shaker WITHOUT ICE and dry shake for 30 seconds
Add ice to shaker and shake for an additional 12-15 seconds
Strain into 2 coupe glasses
Garnish with mini-carrots or lemon twist
GREENPEAS -
without alcohol
INGREDIENTS
large bundle of fresh mint
1 1/2 c sparkling water
ice
Sugar Snap Pea Syrup
3/4 c water
3/4 c sugar
10 oz sugar snap peas
1/2 c fresh lime juice
THE PREP
Make simple syrup by heating water and sugar on stove until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and transfer to a jar. Cool completely. *speed this up by placing in the freezer
Meanwhile, bring large pot of water to boil. Prepare a medium bowl with an ice water bath near the stove. When the water is boiling, blanch the peas for 1.5 to 2 minutes. Use slotted spoon to quickly transfer them to ice bath to stop cooking process
Add peas to high powered blender or food processor along with chilled simple syrup and lime juice. Blend until smooth
Strain mixture using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth
To assemble, muddle 6 mint leaves with 1 Tbs of sugar snap pea syrup. Add additional 2 Tbs of syrup to glass and fill with ice. Top with 1/4 c sparkling water
Garnish with sprig of mint
PLAN AHEAD!
NEXT WEEK'S CLASSIC COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS
WEEK FIVE GAME NIGHT
FREEZE TIME WITH ME
You may have noticed that the loose theme surrounding this week's Club Date Night orbits around Mother Earth in honor of Earth Day. Did you ever create a time capsule with your classmates or family on Earth Day growing up? Yes! Awesome! Alas, I was deprived...That's about to change!
This week, we're making Couple's Time Capsules! Here's how it works!
YOU WILL NEED
Recycled *vessel, pen and paper, mementos
STEP 1 - Use the guide above to start thinking about what the two of you want to include in your capsule and begin gathering memorabilia! Consider what might be fun to discover upon opening your capsule together! Perhaps a bottle of wine? A non-perishable snack? A bit of earth? A favorite candle? A photo? You get the idea!
STEP 2 - Considering what you might want to include in your capsule - it's time to find a vessel! Got an old shoebox lying around? A mason jar? An old paint can? No need to buy anything new - use what you have! Creative points for decorating!
STEP 3 - Use the guide above (or create your own) to reflect on the HERE AND NOW together! What's in the news? Where have you traveled this past year? What are your favorite songs at the moment? Favorite books? Favorite restaurant? Hobby? Moment? Memory? Jot these down together and place them inside your capsule! Additionally, use Goals + Predictions section on the guide above to consider what the future may hold! What would you like to learn? To change? Milestones you'd like to reach together, or individually? Write down your answers to the questions that resonate with you and place them in the capsule.
STEP 4 - Write a letter to your partner. Maybe your letter is a reflection of this very moment. Maybe it's a memory. Maybe it anticipates the future. Maybe it's all of these things! When you're both finished, fold up your letters and place them in the capsule.
STEP 5 - Determine when you will open your capsule and record it someplace where you'll remember! Google cal can be a very romantic option for this step!
STEP 6 - Seal your capsule, and store in a safe place until the opening date!
GIVEAWAY - WEEK FIVE
IN-HOME PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION WITH ROYAL HART STUDIO
How to Enter via Instagram:
1. Make sure to follow @mavenevents, @neuneumpls and @royalhartstudio if you’re not already.
2. Post a photo on your feed or your story of you and your partner enjoying Club Date Night activities!
3. Tag @mavenevents, @neuneumpls and @royalhartstudio
4. Post your unlimited entries by WEDNESDAY, April 22nd at 11:59 CST.
When are winners announced and how?
The giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. CST on WEDNESDAY, April 22nd. Winners will be announced via Instagram the following week. Winners will be contacted by email directly by Royal Hart Studio. Winners will have 24 hours to respond to the email or their prize will be forfeited.
Am I eligible?
No purchase necessary. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Winners must be located within 40 miles of Downtown Minneapolis. Your Instagram account must be public! This contest is NOT sponsored by Instagram, we just want you all to enjoy a fun date night while staying safe and staying home!
After the conclusion of the contest period, the photographer, MAVEN and The Neu Neu will select the winner from among the weekly submissions using the following judging criteria: Photo demonstrates a fun, humorous, inspirational, safe and otherwise creatively evocative photo or video.