HighSight's Eve of Eve fundraises for Chicago high school programs

CHICAGO (WLS) -- HighSight is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships, tutoring, mentoring, leadership development and college readiness programs for Chicago high school students. The organization raises money with an annual event and it is inviting everyone to come. The 21st annual Eve of the Eve fundraiser is a black-tie optional event where more than 2,000 young urban professionals can mix and mingle.

Karina Mendez, HighSight alum, and Gerardo Mena, bartender at Blue Plate, which is one of the event sponsors, came into our ABC 7 Eyewitness News studio to tell us about the organization and the event and to show us drink recipes.

Eve of the Eve

Dec. 30, 2014

8 p.m.-1 a.m.

Chicago's Union Station

Ticket Prices: $125 or $160 for VIP

Buy online at www.highsight.org

Ticket price goes up at the door

Gerardo Mena's recipes:

1. Happy New Year cocktail

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz. vodka

1/3 oz. honey

1/4 oz. fresh lemon juice

3 oz. champagne

1 strawberry

Method:

Combine vodka, honey and lemon juice in mixing glass.

Shake and pour into champagne flute.

Top with champagne and garnish.

2. All-time favorite

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz. vodka

4 oz. sparkling mineral water

Slice of orange

Slice of lime

Method:

Combine vodka and mineral water into cocktail glass with ice. Stir and garnish.

Garnish: Orange and lime slices

Glass: Lowball glass

3. Kickin' mule

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz. vodka

1/2 oz. fresh squeezed lime

3 oz. ginger beer

Method:

Combine all ingredients into chilled mug filled with ice and serve.

Garnish: Lime wedge

Glass: Copper mug