Suzi’s Blog
Aperol Sweet and Sour: A Great Party Drink for the Super Bowl
This weekend will find many of us giving or attending parties. Long parties. That Super Bowl stretches for four hours. During that time, we will all munch and we will all imbibe.
A responsible host knows that if guests are drinking over that extended period of time, there are some risks. It is quite possible that someone could get more than a little tipsy and you don’t want them behind the wheel. What is a host or hostess to do?
First, you can arrange to not serve standard cocktails during the whole event. May one at the start, and then encourage people to lighter fare: wine, punch, lemonade, … There are many choices, not all of them alcoholic, and in fact the next few posts here will provide you with some liquid options that no one will complain about.
Here is the first option for you: a cocktail tingling in flavor but low in alcohol. It’s made with my new favorite, Aperol, which just happens to be only 11% alcohol. Mixed with citrus juices and a little sugar syrup, you have a lively drink that people can sip, enjoy, and comingle with that food spread you have provided.
Aperol Sweet and Sour
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients:
- Shaved ice and ice cubes
- 2 ounces Aperol
- 1 ounce of simple sugar syrup
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lime
- Optionally, slices of lemon or lime for garnish
Preparation:
Fill a small cocktail glass with shaved ice. If you wish, the glass can be rimmed with sugar.
Put several ice cubes into a cocktail shaker. Add the Aperol, sugar syrup, and juices. Shake vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Pour into the cocktail glass and enjoy.
Source: Brian O’Rourke
Creamy Horseradish Dipping Sauce with Fresh Chives from Great Party Dips
By one report I saw today, there will be over 30 million Super Bowl parties on Sunday. That’s going to be a lot of dip. Dip for chips, vegetables, even shrimp or crab. And for those more upscale “dipables” like seafood you’ll want an equally upscale dip. Something easy, yet something a tad different.
Great Party Dips by Peggy Fallon is a slim, interesting book that has all the classics — salsa fresca, guacamole, creamy herb dip — plus new dip ideas that are just the ticket for the Super Bowl. Well, a food ticket. Nothing here is going to get you into the game.
If you do just happen to have a spare ticket, you can email me. I would be thrilled. Somewhere on or near the fifty yard line.
This dip has a lightness that comes from folding in whipped cream, an irresistible ingredient for me. And, it can be made up to three days in advance, so party preparation can be spread over multiple days. The last thing you need, at the start of your party, is to already be tired from getting ready for your own party. Dividing the effort of preparing that party spread over multiple days is simply wise planning.
Creamy Horseradish Dipping Sauce with Fresh Chives
Yield: 1 ½ cups, enough for 6-8
Ingredients:
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons honey-Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons prepared white horseradish, or more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
Preparation:
In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, mustard, horseradish and white pepper.
In another bowl, whip the cream until forms stiff peaks. Fold the whipped cream and chives into the horseradish mixture until blended.
Transfer to a small bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 3 days before serving.
Source: Great Party Dips by Peggy Fallon
