You’ve finished unpacking, the rooms look great, and now there’s only one thing left to do: make your brand-new townhome the happy hour venue everybody loves. With many 4-story units offering breathtaking views of Downtown Doral and Urbana’s sparkling lake, your skyview terrace is cool, comfortable, and doesn’t require a reservation.
Wowing your friends won’t mean slaving away over the stove for hours, though your kitchen’s exquisite finishes–like stainless steel appliances, contemporary flat-panel cabinets, and luxury countertops with elegant backsplash–might make you want to linger!
By combining a few simple ingredients that bring out the sweet flavors of summer, you’ll pull off the ultimate happy hour, comparable to the most enticing Brickell rooftop experience.
TO DRINK
Happy hour and cocktails have become almost one and the same, but for those who prefer not to consume alcohol, there are delicious drinks to indulge the senses.
Strawberries and basil combine to create an iconic summer flavor duo. Blend a pint of fresh strawberries with a touch of sugar and lemon juice to create a simple strawberry puree (in the rare case of leftovers, drizzle the extra over yogurt or pancakes as a post-happy hour breakfast the next day). Combine 1 part strawberry puree; 2 parts tonic water; optionally,1.5 oz of the alcohol of your choice – vodka, champagne and gin are all good options; and 2-3 fresh basil leaves for a sweet, bubbly sip your friends won’t be able to get enough of.
Serve in chilled flutes, rimmed with sugar and a strawberry slice as garnish to ensure ultimate Instagrammability with Downtown Doral as a backdrop.
TO EAT
Take your happy hour “toast” beyond clinking glasses. Crostini are an easy, fun and easy-to-eat snack that give the feeling of fancy without the hassle of prepping a full meal. And you know what they say: a balanced happy hour is a snack in one hand and a drink in the other.
Cut a long loaf of French bread diagonally into 1-inch thick slices, giving yourself plenty of real estate for toppings. To ensure optimum crispiness, lightly toast the bread on your skyview terrace grill before topping. For a Caprese-style crostino, top with juicy sliced cherry tomatoes, sweet Mozzarella cheese and pesto alla Genovese — the pesto could either be homemade using your leftover basil from the drinks, or store-bought (no one will know the difference). If you’re more of a sundried tomato type, slather some goat cheese (bonus points if it’s herbed) onto the toasts and top with thinly sliced sundried tomatoes and balsamic glaze for a sweet and savory snack.
Round out the menu with a simple salad of mixed greens, oven-roasted brussels sprouts, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese (both of which will also be leftover if you decide to make your pesto at home). A drizzle of fresh lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil will add brightness, completing your summery happy hour spread.
Wondering how you’ll get all of your cocktails, mocktails, crostini and greens up four floors? Simply hop on the elegant private elevator inside your home. Skip the cardio – it’s happy hour, after all – and zip your party platters right to the top without breaking a sweat.
And, lastly, no good happy hour is complete without some tunes. With activation and support by Amazon and voice control by Alexa, just speak a command to play your favorite playlist and you’re all set!
Entertaining at home doesn’t have to be complicated. When your new townhome comes with Everything’s Included®, a skyview terrace perfect for sunset selfies and for sharing good food and a toast or two with friends, hosting might just become your favorite summer hobby at Urbana at Downtown Doral by Lennar.
