I love any opportunity to host a good dinner party (as seen here, here and here), especially when there's a theme, and extra especially when its for a birthday.
We hosted 10 people on Friday night for an early birthday celebration. Being a work day, the menu had to be easy, and mainly 'make-ahead' dishes. Pulled pork seemed like a cost effective, delicious option, and from there, a southern-bbq theme emerged. Filled with festive plates from my new favourite store, a $10 bouquet diy-ed into center pieces, spicy collard greens and kickin' kentucky mules, the evening was a smashing success. We ate, we drank, we giggled. On repeat.
dinner //
a variation of my go-to potato salad
radicchio, apple and cilantro slaw (from Date Night In)
pulled pork sandwiches (from Date Night In, similar to this)
dessert //
gluten free oatmeal cookies with dairy-free coconut ice cream
drinks //
kentucky mules (recipe below)
KENTUCKY MULE / serves 2, easily scaled up
Similar to a Moscow Mule, but swapping the vodka for bourbon. Dangerously delicious. You've been warned.
Ingredients:
juice from 1/2 lime (~1 T)
6 mint leaves, divided
2-4 oz bourbon
ginger beer
ice
What to do:
Divide the lime juice and mint between 2 lowball glasses. Use a muddler to gently press the mint into the juice.
Add the bourbon (1-2 oz. per glass) and 1 large ice cube. Stir gently. Fill the remainder of the glass with ginger beer.
If making for a crowd, scale up quantities accordingly, and combine everything in a shaker. Serve over ice.