Food Fun and Facts      Beverage Tips For Holiday Entertaining      Recipe for Finlandia Cranberry Smash
 
 Tips for Easy Holiday Entertaining

(NewsUSA) - From sophisticated holiday soirees to casual gatherings, legendary nights require the right mix of fun, friends and spirits.

The pros at Southern Comfort and Finlandia Vodka offer some time-tested tips that will help ensure that your holiday get-together is the talk among your friends:

* Offer five to six appetizers per person if other food is available;seven to eight if it's not.
 Have 2 to 3 pounds of ice on hand for every 10 people;
 double this amount if serving frozen drinks.

*Chill glasses by filling them with ice and water before making and serving drinks.
* Pour drinks immediately after blending to keep them from getting watery.
* Measure everything. Your drinks will taste better.
*One bottle of Southern Comfort or Finlandia Vodka provides, roughly, 10 1- to 1 1/2-ounce pours.
* Utilize fresh fruits and spices of the season for the perfect cocktail, from a caipiroska to a mojito to a martini.
* Keep up on the latest cocktail trends, but serve a few signature cocktails as well. Or, put a twist on classic drinks, such as these recipes for a Finlandia Cranberry Smash and a SoCo Eggnog Martini.

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Recipe for Finlandia Cranberry Smash

 Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces FinlandiaCranberry Vodka
1 ounce lemon juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
8 to 10 fresh cranberries

12 spearmint leavesMuddle mint, cranberries and simple syrup; add lemon juice, vodka and ice. Stir. Garnish with mint.

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Recipe for Southern Eggnog Martini

Ingredients
1 ounce Southern Comfort
3 ounces eggnog

Ground nutmeg Combine chilled ingredients in a shaker (no ice). Shake. Strain into a chilled martini glass rimmed with nutmeg.

Easy Entertaining

(Family Features) - Delicious food. Great wine. Good friends.
 This is what entertaining is all about.


Some of the best dishes are those that are big on flavor and easy to prepare ahead of time. Sometimes taking traditional ingredients and showcasing them in new and mouthwatering ways is an easy way to showcase the inner gourmet chef in all of us.

Fruit is incredibly versatile, in everything from appetizers to desserts. One of the most flavorful, adaptable and nutritious fruits is the fig. An excellent source of fiber, fat- and cholesterol-free dried and fresh figs from California are the ultimate versatile fruit. From savory chutneys to sweet tarts, figs add a depth of flavor to any dish.

Picking the perfect wine to complement the meal doesn't need to be difficult. For food-friendly varietals that pair beautifully with fruits, cheeses and entrees such as a succulent pork tenderloin, Mirassou Winery® has several offerings - from a fruit-focused Chardonnay to a bright and approachable Pinot Noir.

Try these simple recipes for a small dinner party for four, or double them for a group of eight. For more recipes, visit www.CaliforniaFigs.com and www.mirassou.com.

To celebrate the family's 155th anniversary, Mirassou Winery has partnered with chefs across the country on a Taste & Toast tour. Find food and wine pairing tips and recipes at www.mirassou.com.  SOURCE:  Mirassou Winery
California Fig Advisory Board

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