Gathering friends and family over the holidays for a game night by the fire is the perfect way to catch up and have a lovely time. With a cozy and inviting atmosphere and one key ingredient to guide your menu, you can provide very pretty dishes and seasonally inspired bites. And don’t forget your cocktail! In this case to go with the sweetness of the cranberries, we suggest a Boulevardier, which is a simple cocktail that is a simple spin on a Negroni where we’re using whiskey instead of gin. All you need is equal parts of Campari, Sweet Vermouth and of course Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye, which brings the perfect amount of spice to the drink. Make a batch ahead of time, keep in the fridge for the perfect chilled taste and serve in on the rocks with an orange peel.
For your bite sized snacks, make a Cranberry Bruschetta. It’s so easy to make and won’t have you hassling in the kitchen for hours. With some baguette, cream cheese and cranberry spread you will have a platter of delicious slices of heaven that your guests can enjoy. It’s great to have your own recipe or you can buy store bought and dress with up with red pepper flakes, pickled ginger and/or fresh rosemary petals. If you’re looking to make a little bit of a heartier bite, you can make Cranberry Glazed Pork Bites. Just bake a seasoned boneless pork loin at 350 degrees for 40 minutes, baste with cranberry sauce and bake additionally until internal temperature is 150 degrees. Rest, slice into 2-inch cubes and add more cranberry sauce. Serve on a platter with picks on the side. Now the only question is, which game are you going to play? Cheers!
