How in the world are we almost done with 2017? I feel like I blinked and this year just flew by!
If you’re like us, when NYE comes around, we’re too exhausted to go out and celebrate. We’re lame, I know, but we honestly prefer to stay in and make appetizers + drinks… plus comfy clothes are my jam!
So if you’re staying in or going to a party and need something to take, make yourself cozy because I have the perfect appetizer + drink for you!
When I host a party, I’m all about the WOW factor! I love for my guest to feel like I went above and beyond, and when they leave, they go home thinking about how fun and yummy everything was!
This year, when I hosted Christmas at our house, I made our annual Holiday Moscow Mules + the most delicious chesseboard I’ve ever eaten! I might be biased, but Oh My Word…. it was amazing! Being Italian, I’ve had my share of chesesboards, so this year I was pretty excited to create my own!
I got all my cheese at Fresh Market, and everything else at our local Publix. I went with 5 cheese’s; Brie, Pepper Jack, Gouda, Aged Blue Cheese and a soft Garlic + Chive Spread. I honestly don’t know which one was my favorite, but they were ALL a hit!
We like spicy things, so I added some homemade (and by homemade I mean, I bought this at the local market a couple of weeks ago) Peach Pepper Jelly to go with the cheeses and it did not disappoint. The thing I love about cheeseboard’s, you can add whatever random things you want, and 9 times out of 10, it works!
For crunch, I grabbed a box of crackers that came with 6 different crackers. One box was plenty, too! Then I threw in some pistachio’s to fill up some space!
We love fruit, so I reached for what we had in the refrigerator, which was pomegranate + grapes. This could honestly be anything. If I was thinking clearly, I probably would have added some thin apple slices.
Next up was garlic stuffed olives + mild pickled okra. Y’all, if you’ve never tried either, you’re missing out. I could live off both of these items! They’re THAT good!
With my meats I went with Salami, because DUH, it’s the best + Smoked Italian Sausage. In my opinion, nothing beats Boars Head…. so I always go with them!
I found my cheese board + table runner at Target, which I’ll be able to use throughout the year, so I’m calling that a WIN!
To start off, I laid out all the cheeses… placing them all over the board. After that, I put the crackers around the cheese, then the meats close to the crackers. Last, I placed the jam in its spot and filled up the rest of the board with the fruit, pistachio’s, olives + okra. It was seriously the easiest cheeseboard to make. I really don’t think you can go wrong with your placement. I feel that when you over think things, it causes unnecessary stress! Just get out all your ingredients, turn on some music and get to it! I’m sure you’ll be pretty impressed with yourself when you’re done!
Here’s my finished product!
I threw in some fresh Rosemary for a garnish.. but only because I had some left over from the Moscow Mules.
So simple, yet looks like I spent plenty of time on it!
Up next were the drinks! Every Christmas we use the same Moscow Mule recipe. They’re simple to make, and are always a crowd pleaser. This year I took some advice from a friend that’s also a blogger (shout out to Yes, Please Daily) and subbed the ginger beer for ginger ale. I’m not a fan of ginger beer, so this way was much better!
Ingredients
- 2 oz. vodka (we like Tito’s)
- 4 oz cranberry juice
- squirt of Lime Juice
- Splash of Ginger Ale or Ginger Beer (if you prefer)
- Cranberries + Lime + Rosemary for garnish
- Big Ice Cube – we got our ice mold here
- Copper Mule Mug
This year I made a big pitcher of Mules, so I wasn’t constantly in the kitchen mixing up drinks. Which worked out great! Just mix the vodka, cranberry juice, ginger ale (I just used a whole can for the pitcher) and your lime juice (I used 1/2 cup) then throw in some cranberries + limes and your done! In my copper mug I placed a big ice-cube and just poured from the pitcher + garnished with some fresh rosemary.
Here was the result!
One reason Moscow Mules are our favorite drink is because not only is it very tasty, but it’s really light, too! We tend to veg out on the holidays, so a light drink is defiantly needed.
So if you’re stumped on what to take to your NYE get together or just want to stay home and chill, either of these would be a great choice. You can go big or small with your cheeseboard or make plenty of different types of Mules. Just sub the cranberry juice with another juice.
I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year!
xoxo- Lauren
Aunt Marie says
Looks beautiful and I am sure it was delicious. I wish we lived closer so I could have been with you! Love the rosemary touch. The herb for remembrance. I gave my closest friends a Rosemary plant with a glass herb preserver (one of Oprah’s favorite things). I added a bible verse (Philippians 1:3) and a tip for what rosemary is used for. They loved it. I pray you have a healthy happy year ahead. I love you and miss you and I really do “thank my God every time I remember YOU!!!!!!!
Lauren says
THank you so much! I love my Christmas card and pictures. i hope you have a wonderful year! Love and miss you guys!