This past weekend was a pretty significant one for us. Kelly, our firstborn, our only daughter, married Gilbert, a great guy & a wonderful addition to our family. The wedding was beautiful & every aspect of the wedding & reception was a reflection of Kelly & Gilbert. Kelly wore a beautiful, strapless white wedding dress with a corset back that she laced up with blue hockey skate laces contributed by her brother, Andrew, and royal blue shoes to match. Gilbert chose his sister, Ketty to be his Best “Man”. Kelly & Gilbert had the venue use my Italian Wedding Soup recipe for the soup course. Instead of a wedding cake, they served a of variety of pies, which Kelly & Gilbert both prefer to cake.

One of the other personal touches they added to their wedding was to have 3 signature cocktails. About a year ago, Kelly & Gilbert asked me to come up with a rum drink as one of the cocktails. Kara, a friend of Kelly & Gilbert’s from college, provided the original vodka concoction. Ted & Becky, friends of Gilbert’s, contributed their special recipe margarita. Gilbert came up with original names for all three of the specialty drinks.

Matrimonio (aka Italian Nut) Makes 1 drink

• 1 ounce coconut rum (Malibu)
• 1 ounce almond liqueur (Amaretto)
• 4 ounces orange juice

Pour all 3 ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 1 minute. Serve over ice and garnish with a cherry.

Alexandra & Andrew enjoying some appetizers and Matrimonia Cocktails at Kelly’s wedding.

Congratulations, Kelly & Gilbert!  ~Linda

Matrimonio (aka Italian Nut) Makes 1 drink

• 1 ounce coconut rum (Malibu)
• 1 ounce almond liqueur (Amaretto)
• 4 ounces orange juice

Pour all 3 ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 1 minute. Serve over ice and garnish with a cherry.