Cocktail Hour: The Logistics

The Recipes

Yield: 1 Mocktail

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Shirley Temple

Ingredients

• 8 ounces of ginger ale 
• Splash of Grenadine 
• Maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions

1. Combine ginger ale and grenadine in a glass filled with ice. Garnish with Maraschino cherry.
2. Variation: add 2 ounces of vodka for a Dirty Shirley

Yield: Around 1 cup

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Simple Syrup

Ingredients

• 1  cup water
• 1 cup sugar

Instructions

1. Over medium-low heat, combine sugar and water in a medium sauce pan. Stir until sugar is dissolved. 
2. Allow to cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.

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Spiced Candied Nuts

Ingredients

• 2 cups assorted nuts 
• 1/4 cup maple syrup 
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes 
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt 

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
2. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir until nuts are evenly coated. 
3. Bake nuts for 20 minutes until crisp. Cool and serve. 

Yield: 1 cocktail

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Tom Collins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces gin
• 3/4 ounce lemon juice
• 1 ounce simple syrup 
• Club soda
• Maraschino cherry and lemon slice for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, lemon juice and simple syrup. Shake with ice. 
2. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice and top with club soda. Garnish with a lemon slice and cherry. 

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Cheese Crackers

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup of unsalted butter
• 8 ounces grated cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup of all purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of hot sauce

Instructions

1. In a food processor, combine all ingredients. Pulse until a ball forms. 
2. Roll ball out into a log 2" in diameter and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least an hour or freeze until ready to bake. 
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
4. Slice dough into 1/4" thick slices and place on baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are golden. 

The Timeline

It’s hard to create a timeline for this small set up! A Tom Collins should be made to order so the most you can do to prep is squeeze your lemon juice and make your simple syrup. Additionally, the cheese crackers and nuts can be prepared in advance or very last minute. I recommend have cheese cracker dough in your freezer for last minute drop-ins!

The Lists

Grocery List - 4 Servings:

1/4 cup unsalted butter

8 ounces cheddar cheese

2 cups assorted nuts

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup maple syrup

4 ounces simple syrup

3 ounces lemon juice

6 ounces gin

Olive oil

Red Pepper Flakes

Paprika

Salt

Hot Sauce

Club soda

Maraschino cherries

Equipment List

Cocktail Shaker

Food Processor

1 Small Saucepan

2 Parchment Lined Baking Sheets

1 Small Bowl

Plastic Wrap

Serveware List:

4 Highball Glasses

4 Cocktail Picks (optional)

4 Cocktail Napkins

Small Bowl for Cocktail Nuts

Small Bowl for Cheese Crackers