Become the perfect Aperitivo hostess

The Aperitivo is derived from Italy, “beverage that is alcoholic which is consumed prior to a meal with the intention to simulating the appetite”

This popular tradition comprises food and drink and who can resist, this should be a firm UK staple and a firm staple in my home so I thought I would share some tips and recipes on how to become the perfect Aperitivo hostess, complete with a shopping list to make life that little bit simpler.

Perfect time for Aperitivo: 

7pm - 9pm.

What to drink

The classic aperitivo usually includes a cocktail with a bitter base commonly using Aperol or Campari mixed with a great fizz, such as Mionetto Prosecco and I have some recipes that you can create with ease, so it won't take you away from your guests.

You could even put the ingredients on the side on a bar cart with the recipe and let everyone create there own 'Pimp your Aperitivo'

The Mionetto Aperol Spritz

A refreshing Aperol Spritz, perfect for a chilled drink in the afternoon under the sun to start your Aperitivo with friends.

• 75ml chilled Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso
• 50ml Aperol
• 20ml Chilled Soda
• Ice Cubes
• Orange Slice

1. Grab a balloon or wine glass.
2. Fill with cubed ice (in this weather it would be a crime not to have this in your freezer)
3. Combine 75ml of Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso with 50ml of Aperol
4. Add a splash of Soda
5. Garnish with a slice of fresh orange

Arancia Spritz

• 85ml chilled Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso
• 55ml San Pellegrino Aranciata
• 30ml Campari
• Fresh Mint
• Orange Slice

1. Mix all the ingredients in a wine glass - leave the Mionetto Prosecco till the end.
2. Add ice, then stir to chill.
3. Top up with prosecco.
4. Garnish with mint and a slice or orange.

Mionetto Italian Honeysuckle

• 75ml chilled Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso
• 1 slice of jalapeno 
• 15 ml lime juice
• 15 ml sugar syrup
• 30 ml Blanco Tequlia

1. Muddle the jalapeno slice and the lime juice.
2. Add the sugar syrup, Blanco tequlia, ice - then shake.
3. Strain into a glass, add the Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso
4. Add a jalapeno slice to finish off your cocktail

Food

Transport your guests over to Italy for your aperitivi and create some delicious nibbles. You do not need to go wild but put on a small spread of some different items and use your creativity. In Italy each bar presents Aperitivi in a different way so feel free to mix it up in any way you would like.

Crostini

More fondly known as, ‘little toasts’ mine are the ones that come in a packet but if you want to go all out grab a ciabatta and baste in olive oil, garlic and roast some vine tomatos. 

Pasta Salad

In a large bowl, toss together fusilli pasta, mozzarella pearls, salami,

bell peppers, spinach, tomatoes and olives. Prepare a simple dressing with

olive oil, vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, parsley, and chilli fakes and add

to the bowl. Season with salt and pepper and refrigerate before serving.

Roasted Vegtables

To add some beautiful colour to the table use a range of vegetables, I went for courgettes and vine tomatoes. I just covered with a bit of olive oil, basil and

oregano. Roast for 10-15 minutes.

Olives and more olives

You can't go to Italy and not have olives so create a medley of them - you can't go overboard.

Italian Cheese and Prosciutto Board

This is always a winner, grab a wooden serving board and place a selection of regional cheeses (my favourites are Reggiano Parmesan and slices of Pecorino with some chilli jam) and lots of prosciutto.

Ambiance

The key is to make the afternoon as relaxed as possible and a bit of sun never hurt anyone. So simplicity will help you here, don't over complicate it - you're not hosting a dinner party and everyone wants a stress free afternoon and hosts also need to be stress free.

Choose great friends to join you to eat and drink your perfect Aperitivi with great conversation.

For the decor you can add some Italian vibes with greenery and oranges - my little trees are from Ikea, which add to the simplicity of the afternoon.

 

This post is in collaboration with Mionetto.

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Valentine’s Day Cocktail – Candy Floss Fizz

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and before I let you see my gift guide I thought I would share an easy recipe for the perfect Valentine's cocktail if you are having VDay at home. Although this cocktail would also be perfect for a party. 

It is sweet, girly and romantic all in pink. Also this cocktail is a super easy recipe!

Ingredients:

·         20ml:  Rhubarb vodka from Chase Distillery

·         As much as you desire:  Candy Floss

·         Enough to fill the glass: Champagne or Prosecco

Method:

1.       Add the rhubarb vodka to a champagne flute.

2.       Depending on how pink you want the cocktail add half a glass of Prosecco for a lighter colour then add in a small amount of Candy Floss – watch it fizz and change to pink.

3.       Top up your glass with Champagne or Prosecco.

4.       Add enough candy floss to sit across the glass.

Voila, a Candy Floss Fizz

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Cocktail Recipe: The Sloe Spring

Afternoon lovelies it is the start of a new week and with the sun coming out most weekends I thought I would share a fun twist on one of my fave soft drinks: Appletiser and turn it into an easy to make cocktail. 

You may have seen an article recently where I was mixing cocktails with Appletiser at Ascot (you can see it here) and they tasted delicious, I never knew how good Appletiser tasted with different mixers. When I found a spare weekend I decided to make my own and after lots of 'mistakes' I have perfected the 'SLOE SPRING'. The core component of the drink is of course Appletiser with blackberries. 

Blackberries are usually only talked about in the Autumn but they are looking ripe and juicy at the moment and still very tasty. So mix both of these with sloe berries and you get a dreamy drink for Spring or The Sloe Spring.

50ml Sloe Gin

Appletiser

2 x Tbsp Sugar
100g Blackberries + Extra to decorate

Sprig of Thyme

Ice

Method:

1. Make a blackberry puree: Blend or mash 100g Blackberries with the sugar.
2. You will need to sieve the puree to remove any seeds.
3. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice then add 2 tsp of the blackberry puree
4. Add 50ml of Sloe Gin (if you are feeling really wild you could create your own Sloe Gin)
5. Shake well
6. Fill a glass with ice, strain mixture into the glass.
7. Top up with Appletiser 
8. Decorate as you wish I went for blackberries on a cocktail stick and then a sprig of Thyme as it compliments the flavours perfectly. 

To see this recipe on the Appletiser Moments page head here.

 In collaboration with Appletiser but all thoughts and love for delicious cocktails are my own.

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Summer cocktails

With the longest day approaching, everyone needs to be taking full advantage of the sun and sitting outside with a cocktail, with a little help from ALDI and Bottle Green we have created some summer inspired cocktails. Each cocktail has one thing in common that they all fruity and refreshing.

Summer Crush 

Ingredients:

• 50ml Tamova Vodka 
• 50ml Bottle Green Pomegranate & Elderflower cordial
• Soda water
• Pomegranate seeds

Serving suggestion: Highball glass

Add the Vodka and Pomegranate & Elderflower cordial to a cocktail shaker and shake it up. Then top with soda water, sprinkle a few pomegranate seeds for decoration and voila a fresh and refreshing summer tipple. 

Pomegranate Punch
Ingredients

• 25ml Tamova Vodka 
• 20ml Lemon juice
• 2.5 tsp Sugar
• Prosecco
• 3 tsp fresh pomegranate seeds

Serving suggestion: Highball glass

 Shake up the vodka, lemon juice, sugar and pomegranate seeds with ice. Before you pour into the highball glass, add ice and then top with your desired sparking wine, the one I am using is Valdobbiadene Prosecco, £7.49 from ALDI. To finalise your masterpiece, add fresh pomegranate seeds to decorate and a lemon zest.

Shooting Star

• 25ml Tamova Vodka
• 25ml raspberry juice from fresh raspberries 
• 2.5 tsp sugar
• Valdobbiadene Prosecco Spumante DOCG

Serving suggestion: Martini glass

There is no shaking for this one! Sprinkle the sugar on the raspberries then squeeze the juice from the raspberries (I used the pulp as well, which in hindsight was not the best idea) and collect in the bottom of your desired glass. Add the vodka and stir to combine. Gently pour the Prosecco into the glass. Decorate with apple slices to perfect a drink suitable for all summer occasions.

Remember drink responsibly 

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Cocktail time with Patrón

Use Patrón an ultra premium tequila to create these fun cocktails to add some colour and glamour to any event.

 



A Grapefruit Breeze

Ingrediants

• 1 3/4 oz Patron Resposado
• 1/4 oz Patron Citronge
• 1/2 oz Grapefruit Juice
• 1/4 oz Lemon Juice
• 1/4 OZ Black Raspberry Liqueur 

Method:

Pour Patron Resposado, Patron Citronge, grapefruit juice, and lemon juice into a cocktail glass. Float black raspberry liqueur on top.


Patrón Green Apple
 
Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz Patron Silver
• 1/2 oz Apple Schnapps
• 1 oz green apple coulis or puree
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• Deep-fried granny smith apple to garnish

Method:

Combine all ingredients and shake. Serve straight up or on the rocks.

Garnish by floating a slice of deep-fried granny smith apple.





 

Pina Coronado

Ingredients

• 2oz Patron Silver
• 3/4 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz pineapple juice
• 1/2 oz elderflower liqueur
• 1/4 oz vanilla / cinnamon syrup
• Pineapple leaf for garnish

Method:

Shake all ingredients. Strain into a Collins glass over ice then garnish with a pineapple leaf.

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