KARYN'S CHRISTMAS TEA

 

December would typically be filled with all the holiday gatherings, but as we all know, this December, just like this whole year, is anything but typical. In lieu of hanging with friends and family, we'll be tucked away at home, using the quiet time for a much needed reset. 

Just because we won't be seeing people, doesn't mean we can't still enjoy all the festive seasonal treats, so since December 1st holiday cookies have been in full swing around here. First we had Chanukah sugar cookies, then BA's chocolate-tahini linzers, most recently Nana's shortbread and coming up later this week, gingerbread and chocolate log. 

Karyn's Christmas tea seemed like the perfect thing to have on hand while we chow down on so many cookies. Reminiscent of last year's Dames holiday cookie exchange. 

HOW TO HOST A COOKIES + PUNCH PARTY

The problem with hobbies, it that they often end up taking the back seat when life gets busy. Case in point - this space and my commitment to the blog. I've totally dropped the ball over here lately, and can't quite pin it on one specific reason why.

It took the holiday season to kick me back into gear. I've been busy decorating the apartment, baking all the cookies, and planning some of the best custom christmas gifts ever. This time of year I also love hosting. There's something really special about setting aside a night to just spend some quality time with friends. We realized last year that December weekends fill up quickly, so suggested a weeknight holiday soirée with friends.

In an attempt to establish a new holiday tradition, we hosted our second annual cookies and punch party this past Tuesday -- an excuse to menu plan, decorate the house, and share in a little holiday indulgence. Weeknight hosting isn't as tough as you may think, you just need to plan ahead. I've done my best to break it down below. Wishing you all a festive and happy holiday season!

CUCUMBER, GIN + CHARTREUSE COCKTAIL

A few years back, I traveled to the French Alps to visit a dear friend. It was the first time I visited the French Mountains, and the first time I was spending any real time with her man. A few days in, post dinner, he took out a bottle of Chartreuse, a common after dinner drink in France. "Enjoy it straight, on ice," he said. I tried, I really did, but with its intense green colour, earthy tones and potent flavour, I knew I wasn't going to be able to drink it straight (sorry Matt). I returned home from that trip with my own bottle of Chartreuse, determined to develop a pallete for it. Three years later, I'm still working my way through the bottle, tucking it into cocktails whenever I can, and if I'm feeling bold, sipping on a small glass post dinner.

When I decided to join in on #drinkthesummer, I immediately knew my drink had to have chartreuse as the base. From there, I added some puréed summer cucumbers (they're looking so fine at the market right now), and some gin (because cucumber + gin, always). Then a little lime and simple syrup to round off the flavours.

Be sure to check out all the fabulous blogs taking part in this year's #drinkthesummer, and mega shout-out to Sherrie for organizing such a fun party!

KENTUCKY MULES + A SOUTHERN-BBQ INSPIRED DINNER

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.

MULLED APPLE CIDER

We were recently in Vermont, and as per the recommendation of a friend, we stopped at the Cold Hollow Cider Mill for breakfast dessert and indulged in their famous apple cider donuts. While there, we spotted a giant jug of fresh apple cider and couldn't resist.

The past week has been filled with home-made baked donuts, mugs of warm cider while binging on our new favourite show, brainstorming about how to recreate the epic apple cider sorbet we had in Waterbury, and (naturally) trying to come up with a boozy way to finish off the jug. Mulled wine just felt right, after waking up yesterday to our first snow fall of the season -- filled with all the warmth, aromatics and alcohol one craves this time of year.

LAKESIDE SANGRIA

This past weekend was an extra long weekend. My office added a few extra vacay days to the Canada Day long weekend, giving us ample time to mission to the cottage. It was a fantastic 5 days spent with my family; celebrating big birthdays, eating good meals, overdosing on sugar, and of course, indulging in the mandatory lakeside cocktail hour.

That's where this sangria comes in. It's my favourite recipe -- really simple to throw together, laced with boozy fruit, and quite forgiving based on what you have in the fridge. I promise it tastes equally delicious whether or not you have a dock to drink it on. Happy Summer friends!

PIMM'S CUP WITH GINGER BEER

There's been a haze of humidity looming over the city lately. The air has felt stuffy, heavy and downright unpleasant. But come night time, the humidity lifts, and leaves behind a perfectly magical summer evening, begging for a relaxing drink on the back deck. Usually its a simple glass of wine, or a beer, but sometimes, we go the extra mile and put our bar cart goodies to use.

Pimm's Cup is an ideal refreshing outdoor bevvy. Typically made with lemon soda, we swapped out the soda for a delicious local ginger beer that we're mildly obsessed with. Try to track down some authentic ginger beer, it makes all the difference.

FIZZY GRAPEFRUIT COCKTAIL WITH GIN AND CASSIS

I was lucky enough to travel home last weekend for one of my bestie's birthdays. It was a fantastic weekend and was so lovely to get some quality time with some of the girls I hold dearest to my heart and miss every day. The weekend prior, I had indulged in sunday brunch at this great little spot on Dundas West. Though this cocktail wasn't on the menu, the bartender was whipping it up behind the bar and let us sample it. I was blown away - so simple yet so tasty. It seemed like the perfect treat to include in an extravagant birthday brunch.

FIZZY GRAPEFRUIT COCKTAIL WITH GIN AND CASSIS // serves 1

This drink is easily adaptable to any size glass. I've described the method for a short glass below, simply double the gin and cassis for a tall glass and finish with grapefruit beer.

Ingredients:

1/2 oz. gin
1/2 oz. creme de cassis
1 can Stiegl Grapefruit Radler
grapefruit slices, to garnish

What to do:

Pour 1/2 oz gin in a short glass. Fill glass with grapefruit beer. Gently pour the 1/2 oz of cassis into the glass.

Garnish with a grapefruit slice.