3 Pre-Batched Cocktails and an Appetizer Your Friends Will Keep Coming Back For

As we are slowly coming out of our COVID-19 induced isolation, we are also slowly, albeit safely, opening up to the idea of hosting friends once again. It’s been a while since we’ve been allowed to invite people into our home, so the thought of hosting may seem a bit daunting at first. Since we’ve adapted to such a slower lifestyle during these past few months and would making cocktails and appetizers for a handful of friends send us into a week-long nap? The task of curating a lovely evening with friends doesn’t have to be exhausting and with a little planning beforehand, would actually be so fun.

Appetizers

My number one, all-time, favorite go-to appetizer is a prosciutto-wrapped date, stuffed with goat cheese. Say WHATTTT. It is SO delicious, a great small finger food, and will literally be gone in 5 minutes. (Make a lot or make sure to have other apps available. You can never go wrong with a classic cheese board) The blend of sweet and salty is perfection.

Proscuitto-wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese

Cut dates in half, remove pits if necessary. Stuff with goat cheese and wrap in prosciutto. Bake for 5-10 minutes at 350. Remove once Proscuitto is golden brown.

Drinks

Opening up a couple of bottles of wine is always an easy go-to. But if you’re feeling creative, pre-batched cocktails is a great way to spice up the night. By batching them out ahead of time, you don’t have to worry about being stuck as the bartender all night. Guests can pour themselves their own drinks!

I recommend investing in some larger drink dispensers. I loved this one from Amazon, 2 for under $27, perfect for a more fruit-forward cocktail, another for something a little heavier, like a whiskey-based cocktail. Since it’s summertime, I’ve chosen two lighter, fruitier options but could never leave old the best cocktail int the world, ‘The Old Fashioned’ *Fun fact, I personally made batched out Old Fashioneds for our wedding last year!

Prebatched Old Fashioned

Serves 12

  • One 750ml bottle of bourbon. (The big one) Builiet has been my go-to but have just since discovered Evan Williams tastes just as good and much cheaper!

  • 1 ounce of simple syrup - *To make, boil 1-1 parts sugar and water until sugar has thoroughly dissolved into water

  • 10-12 dashes of bitters

  • 4 oz water

Mix and stir all ingredients into drink dispenser. Refrigerate until ready to use. Serve over ice. *Note* Depending on how strong you want your old fashioned to be, make sure to serve over ice. The ice will help dilute the drink.

Prebatched Vodka Gimlet

  • 22 oz. Vodka

  • 12 oz. fresh lime juice

  • 8 oz. Simple Syrup or Honey

  • 4 Limes thinly sliced

Build with plenty of ice in punch bowl or dispenser and stir.

Prebatched Mojito

18 oz. white rum
9 oz. fresh lime juice
6 oz. mint syrup
20 oz. chilled soda water

Combine the rum, lime juice, and mint syrup in a pitcher and chill for at least 1 hour. When ready to serve, stir in the soda water and add crushed ice. Garnish with a mint bouquet. Serves 6.

Mint Syrup
6-8 sprigs fresh mint
16 oz. rich simple syrup (2:1)

Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Gather the mint and plunge into the boiling water for 15 seconds. Remove mint and immediately submerge in ice bath for 1 minute. Pat dry, remove the leaves and add to a blender with the simple syrup. Blend for 1 minute, then fine-strain into a clean bottle.

Amanda BrookeComment