SEASONAL SIPS AND BITES
IN THE SPIRIT
Simplify the season with these cocktail and mocktail ideas, matched with simple hors d’oeuvres ideas.
Noël 25
1 Serving
1 oz gin
1⁄2 oz lemon juice
1⁄2 oz cinnamon simple syrup*
2 oz Prosecco, chilled
Lemon twist, for garnish
Directions:
1. Place gin, lemon juice and cinnamon simple syrup* in an ice-filled cocktail shaker.
2. Shake and strain into a coupe glass.
3. Top with Prosecco.
4. Garnish with lemon twist.
* Place 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water and 3 cinnamon sticks in a pot. Bring to a boil. When the sugar has dissolved remove from heat and let steep for 30 minutes. Strain and let cool completely before using.
MAKE IT A MOCKTAIL
Forego the gin and replace the Prosecco with club soda.
SIMPLE PAIRING: Baked Dates with Goat Cheese 4 Servings
1⁄4 cup honey
1⁄8 tsp cinnamon, ground
1 lemon zest
16 dates
8 tbsp goat cheese
Directions: Place honey, cinnamon and lemon zest in a microwaveable bowl. Heat to 30 seconds. Run a knife lengthwise through each date to create a pocket. Make sure not to cut all the way through the date. Fill dates with
1 ½ teaspoons of goat cheese and place on baking sheet. Drizzle with honey mixture. Bake in oven preheated to 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes. Serve warm.
Maple Amaretto Sour 1 Serving
Directions:
1 ¼ oz whisky
¼ oz Amaretto
1 oz lemon juice
2 tsp maple syrup
1 egg, white only
Pinch cinnamon
Orange peel, for garnish
1. Pour whisky, Amaretto, lemon juice, maple syrup and egg white in shaker.
2. Shake 12 to 15 seconds.
3. Pour into an ice-filled coupe glass.
4. Finish with a pinch of cinnamon and garnish with orange peel.
MAKE IT A MOCKTAIL
Combine 5 oz apple juice with 2 oz lemon juice, 1 oz maple syrup in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a couple glass. Garnish with a pinch of cinnamon and orange peel.
SIMPLE PAIRING:
Maple Smoked Salmon
4 to 6 Servings
Prep Time: Less than 30 minutes Total Time: Less than 30 minutes
1 lb cold smoked salmon
1 cup sour cream
2 cups cream cheese, room temperature
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
1 baguette, sliced on bias, toasted
Directions: Place sour cream, cream cheese, and maple syrup in a bowl. Mix to combine. Taste and then season with salt and pepper accordingly. Spread cream cheese mixture on toasted slices of baguette.