Written by Phoo-D of Phoo-D.

This is the time of year when cabin fever starts to set in with a vengeance. Winter has worn out its welcome and we are ready to show it the door, telling it to go and not come back for another year. The sun doesn't help with matters, teasing us with longer days when it is still too cold to go outside. It is enough to make even the heartiest of souls start dreaming of the beach. However apart from a lucky few, most of us will remain landlocked and snow covered until Spring. What could possibly remedy this unfortunate situation? Why an indoor beach party, of course!

An indoor beach party can be as elaborate or as simple as you desire. With the right setting, music, food and drinks, even your most theme-party-averse friends will get into the spirit and for a few hours you will feel like Winter is slipping away.

The Setting
The first thing to do is to crank up the heat. That's right, dial your thermostat up to a balmy 74 degrees and take off those wool socks! Ask your guests to wear their favorite Hawaiian shirt and flip flops. If you have a kiddie swimming pool, drag it inside, fill it with ice, and use it to keep beer and other drinks cold. Tiki torches, sand on the sidewalk, inflatable pool toys, coconuts on the table- get creative and have fun creating a beach ambiance inside and out.

The Music
No beach party would be complete without at least a few songs from The Beach Boys. 'Kokomo' or 'California Dreaming' would be especially appropriate! If your style is more hip than easy cheese, Reggae music is a good option too. A little Bob Marley singing "One Love" never disappoints!

The Food & Drinks

Nothing gets a party started like a fruity cocktail. One benefit of late winter is that it brings beautiful citrus into the grocery stores. A Blood Orange Mai Tai (recipe at bottom) pulls together the best of the beach flavors, using coconut rum, freshly squeezed juice, and a dash of amaretto. This combination creates the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors. You can bet everyone will be asking for a second round!

One of my favorite ways to feed a crowd (and without breaking the bank) is a Mexican-style pulled pork. It can be prepared one to two days ahead of time, and is packed with bright spicy flavors. Shredded into a soft corn tortilla and topped with avocado and a squeeze of lime, it is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

A Mexican Pineapple Salad, with thin slices of red onion, crunchy jicama, and a bright lime dressing complements the pulled pork and adds a strong tropical note to the spread.

For dessert, you can go fancy serving a Coconut Lime Cake with Papaya Coulis and Blood Orange sorbet, or keep things simple with a big scoop of Pineapple Ginger Sorbet.

By creating the right setting, cranking up the music, shaking summery cocktails, and noshing on fantastic food- you will kick the winter blues and party like it is August!

Blood Orange Mai Tai
Serves 1 - This makes a stiff drink. Cut it in half if so desired!

Ingredients:
1 oz Dark Rum
1 oz Silver Rum
1 oz Coconut Rum (I used Bacardi Coco)
1/2 oz Cointreau
1/4 oz Amaretto
1/2 blood orange, juiced
1/2 lime, juiced

Directions:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add all ingredients above and gently shake to combine. Strain into a glass filled with ice and garnish with slices of blood orange and lime.

Links to Beach Party Recipes:
Mexican Pulled Pork
Mexican Pineapple Salad
Coconut Lime Cake with Papaya Coulis and Blood Orange Sorbet
Pineapple Ginger Sorbet