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Simply Cranberry Cocktail & Hors d’oeuvre Recipes

I love getting together for dinner with my extended family! We always have the best time catching up over some of the yummiest culinary creations. At our most recent family shin-dig, I was in charge of the cocktail hour. Here is the menu served:

  • Simply Cranberry Cocktail Sangria
  • Simply Cranberry Cocktail Mojitos (virgin and non)
  • Cranberry Topped Brie with French Baguette Rounds
  • Bacon-wrapped Apricots with Cranberry Dipping Sauce
  • Strawberry Spinach Salad with Dried Cranberries, Feta, and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Are you noticing a theme here? LOL! My 5 year old called our family dinner “The Cranberry Party”, and since everyone in my family thoroughly enjoys cranberry creations “The Cranberry Party” was well received.
Today I’m going to share with you all of my easy-peasy recipes in case you want to host your own cranberry party!

I’m a fan of Simply Orange® and Simply Lemonade® so was excited to try their latest addition to the Simply beverage family when they asked me to. Like their orange juice,Simply CranberryCocktail is gently pasteurized with no added preservatives and is always kept chilled from the time it’s blended to the refrigerated section of a store near you. The cocktail is made with 27% not-from-concentrate cranberry juice and has a good balance of sweetness and tartness. Best of all it tastes fantastic in many-a-mixed drink :).

Here is the recipe for my Cranberry Sangria.

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle of red wine such as Zinfandel
  • 5 cups of Simply Cranberry Cocktail
  • 1 cup of orange juice
  • 1 cup of orange liqueur
  • 1/2 of an orange sliced
  • 1 lime halved and sliced
  • 1 green apple, cored, and sliced
  • 1/2 cup of sliced strawberries

Combine all the ingredients and let chill for at least five hours. Serve over ice and enjoy!

In addition to Cranberry Sangria, I made virgin and non-virgin Cranberry Mojitos for everyone. We had trouble deciding which drink we liked better. Both were refreshing and delicious!

Ingredients:

  • 3 wedges of lime
  • 5 fresh mint leaves, washed
  • ľ oz simple syrup (to make simple syrup take equal parts sugar and water and boil for a minute on the stove; cool and chill in refrigerator beforehand)
  • cubed ice
  • 1 oz Simply Cranberry Cocktail
  • 2˝ oz vodka
  • 1 oz soda water (or lemon/lime soda for a sweeter taste)

Directions:

  1. Combine the lime wedges, mint leaves and simple syrup in a bowl and crush with a mortar and pestle (or back of a fork).
  2. Transfer ingredients to a shaker and fill the shaker with ice.
  3. Add the vodka and Simply CranberryCocktail.
  4. Shake vigorously.
  5. Pour all of the ingredients into a wine glass without straining.
  6. Top with soda water and garnish with mint.
I didn’t want my teenage nieces to feel left out so their non-alcoholic Simply CranberryCocktail Mojitos were made using equal parts of lemon/lime soda and Simply CranberryCocktail with crushed lime and fresh mint leaves. Just look at those beautiful smiles! I think it’s safe to say they enjoyed their fun drinks!

For our hors d’oeuvres, I first served some Cranberry Topped Brie with French Baguette Rounds. To make, simply heat 1/2 cup of dried cranberries and 1/2 cup of Simply CranberryCocktail in a pan over medium heat stirring frequently until mixture is syrupy. Pour cranberry mixture over your brie and serve with crackers or french bread.

And finally, I served the easiest yet most amazing appetizer that is a must try: Bacon-wrapped Apricots with Cranberry Dipping Sauce (recipe modified from Yummly.com).

Ingredients:

  • 2 t cornstarch (mixed with) 2 t water
  • 3/4 t mustard (grain)
  • 1 1/2 t brown sugar (packed)
  • 1/2 t ground nutmeg
  • 12 sliced bacon (sliced in half)
  • 24 dried apricots
  • 1 1/2 cups Simply CranberryCocktail
Directions:
  1. Boil Simply CranberryCocktail in medium saucepan over high heat until reduced to 1 cup. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to make a paste and add it to the pan. Next whisk in the brown sugar, mustard and nutmeg. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil 1 minute until thickened. Cool to room temperature. Reserve 1/2 cup of the glaze for later dipping.
  2. Line rimmed baking sheet with foil; set wire rack over foil and spray with cooking spray. Wrap bacon halves around apricots and place on rack. Brush with cranberry glaze.
  3. Broil 3 to 7 minutes, or until bacon is browned. Place toothpicks in apricots and serve warm with the reserved Simply CranberryCocktail dipping sauce.

These recipes were all incredibly easy to make and the continuity of our Simply CranberryCocktail theme was so much fun! I hope you’re inspired to throw your own “cranberry party”!

“Simply Cranberry™” is a trademark of Simply Orange Juice Company.

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Comments

  1. Mari says

    We play festive music and put up décor that creates an ambiance.

    runningmatey at hotmail dot com

  3. Erica Best says

    I love having bring a dish party it help everyone feel like that are a part of it and it keep me from having to cook everything and every love to show of by bring the best dish.
    purple_lover_04 at msn dot com

  4. Debra F says

    I do like entertaining and my favorite thing is to do theme parties. I customize my food, drinks and decorations/decor around a theme and everyone really enjoys it….I just try not to get too hokey!

  7. angie lilly says

    Have a theme! All of our parties have a theme and we try to make them as non-cliche as possible! We have done a party celebrating the Full Moon, celebrating the anniversary of the discovery of Uranus, celebrating the Silent Film era, etc. Keep your guests on their toes by doing the unexpected and decorate accordingly!

  9. Jessica F says

    I love having tons of little finger foods as the main course! You can have a huge variety of food to offer and appetizers are always delicious!

  10. LinhC says

    We love the Simply lemonade drinks too! I make sure we have plenty of food and drinks.

  13. Betty C says

    I like to do themed potlucks. It so much fun to see how creative people can get when everything has to be sandwiches from appetizers to dessert.

  15. Denise L says

    I always like to have a theme for the food & drink. We did a taco bar one year for my daughter’s birthday and all the appetizers and drinks were authentic Mexican too.

  16. Jennifer says

    My favorite way to make my home ready for a party is with fragrant fresh flowers.

  20. Gina M Maddox says

    I love to add great music and lighting to make a gathering more festive.

    gina.m.maddox (AT) gmail (DOT) com

  21. Gina M Maddox says

    tweet-https://twitter.com/CrazyItalian0/status/207634210872246272

    gina.m.maddox (AT) gmail (DOT) com

  27. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    I am for sure Pinning your Sangria recipe…thanks for sharing! 🙂 I like to make get-togethers more festive with some fun music and trying to coordinate the serving ware/plates/decorations. 🙂

  31. Christina Tong says

    My favorite way to make a party or get-together at my home more festive is selecting a theme but with simple decorations. I love to prepare homemade finger food, nice dessert and drinks. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ctong2[at]gmail[dot]com

  35. Dee says

    I love making a party more festive by making cupcakes catered to the theme of the get together as well as themed ice cubes! 🙂

  39. GatheringEggs says

    P*A*R*T*Y Recipe
    Mix:
    A lil family.n.friends
    love.n.laughter
    a dash of spring, winter or fall ~
    a pinch~o~revelry
    games.n.sports
    yummy treats.n.snacks of sorts…
    sippin’s or brew,
    a lil bubbly or two,
    candles@night
    or sweet twinklee lights
    music.n.drum
    a smidgen of “hum”
    hugs.n.sharing
    lots of caring~
    Simmer in a pan until done!

  40. Heather says

    Yum! Your drink recipes sound great! I like to have themed drinks on hand to get everyone in a more festive mood. And of course decorations!

  42. Kellie Rose Wilson says

    We like to have dress up theme nights like jimmy buffet night, nautical night, True Blood night..fun fun!

  44. Debbie B says

    we don’t entertain a lot but when we do – good food and music make it festive

  48. Tabathia B says

    I love plugging up the Wii and putting in Dance Revolution
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  53. cw says

    Can’t do much entertaining in the home right now because our house is sooo tiny, but we do like to have BBQs in our back yard (when things warm up more). The music helps things be more festive and I love to put xmas lights in the trees.

  54. MelissaO says

    Homemade sangria, Mexican food, and music by Manu Chao always works!

    wolverina401 at gmail dot com

  56. Kelly Massman says

    I like to make things ahead so I can focus on the guests at the party!!! Thanks for a chance to win and have a great day!
    kmassmanATgmailDOTcom

  57. Melissa says

    I love throwing a themed party, everyone gets into mood, Arabian Night, Summer in the Hamptons, Breakfast at Tiffanys it doesnt matter, a theme makes everything so much more fun. 🙂 of course good music, great friends, delicious drinks and food too 😉 xx

  66. sy says

    I put on upbeat music and lots of snacks. Thanks for the review and giveaway.
    songyueyu at gmail

  67. Richella @ Imparting Grace says

    Oh, my goodness. These cocktails sound so good! I love Simply Orange, but I didn’t know they made a cranberry juice! I must say I make a killer Cosmopolitan–I’ll have to try one with this nice fresh juice! And for a non-alcoholic option, I love 1/2 cran juice and 1/2 ginger ale. Now I need to try your Sangria recipe! 🙂

  69. Jessie C. says

    Plenty of all sorts of desserts and music always help.
    tcarolinep at gmail dot com

  80. Amy Tong says

    My favorite way to make a party at my home more festive is selecting a theme. So, the decorations, food, drink, party favor and maybe dress code too, would all follow the same theme. It’s really festive and fun!

    Amy [at] utry [dot] it

  86. Donna Olander says

    Engaging my guests in the food prep adds to the fun & festivity! And of course – always – upbeat music.

  87. Mindy says

    well that was a hidden giveaway! You need a theme for sure to bring all the elements (food, drink, decor) together!

  88. Chris N says

    We tend to have late spring and fall parties to go along with the university academic calendar (celebrating the end of one semester and the beginning of another). Loads of people are invited and we lean toward potluck (because you never know how many people are going to be there and because we have some good cooks in our crowd).
    Last year we celebrated student graduations and the coming of spring by having a crazy semi-impromptu ceremony where graduating students held various props (like a flash light to represent the light of knowledge, another held some plastic fruit to represent the fruit of their labor, etc.) while my husband read a crazy poem. Sounds weird – it probably was – but we all had fun.
    Our parties are always informal with lots of music, as much food as we can get on the table, some wine and beer, and lots of fun.

  91. Cheryl B. says

    When we celebrate something big (like birthdays, family reunions, etc) I try to make a special cake breaking out all of my Wilton supplies to do it.

  96. yby5 says

    Reading your post at 9pm probably wasn’tthe best idea…I’m hungry and want a mojito in my hand 🙂 Looks like a great time with delicious food, but those drink look to die for. The mojito will be on my list for a get together.

    To make my get together special I try to serve a variety of foods so to please everyone. I really like the presentation almost more than the food…it’s fun putting them on different cake stands, platters etc..

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