As the cost of living rises and the amount of money in our bank accounts fall, we’re looking for ways to have fun without spending a small fortune. Our solution? Host your friends at home. Here’s how to throw a winter dinner party.
Set the vibe
The key to a good dinner party is creating the perfect atmosphere – the vibe, if you will. Since it’s winter, think cosy: lots of candles, a nice tablecloth, and a great playlist (with the volume set low, as background music). We’ve done the legwork for you and come up with a winter dinner party playlist – all you need to do is press play.
What to eat
When it comes to nibbles, you can’t beat a baked brie. And you really can’t beat this honey thyme baked brie in particular, brought to you by Gold Coast recipe maker and nutritionist Well Nourished. Serve it with store-bought biscuits, lightly toasted sourdough or make your own savoury veggie crackers.
For the main course, it’s got to be a hearty winter pasta. We love this passatelli recipe from Burleigh restaurant Belvedere Stonemill, courtesy of Good Food Gold Coast.
We suggest pre-purchasing a sweet treat from a local bakery for dessert (you’ve made two courses, so you’ve earned a break). Bam Bam Bakehouse in Mermaid Beach is fool-proof, and you can order their pastries ahead of time – a good idea, considering how busy they get.
What to drink
Why not combine your beverage offering with your entertainment and host a mini wine tasting? Pick up a selection from your local bottle shop (check out this guide to European-inspired wines from Aussie wine makers) and do a blind wine tasting, discussing the different notes or guessing which is the most expensive (here’s a handy guide).
Not a fan of wine? A new Sierra Antiguo range has just dropped in Australia, bringing premium 100% agave tequila to our shores – and to your next dinner party. While you might (rightly) consider tequila a summer drink, we’re making the case for its place at your winter dinner parties, too.
Just take this Sierra Antiguo Fashioned cocktail…
Ingredients
- 60ml Sierra Antiguo Anejo
- 5mL Agave syrup
- 1 dash Angostura bitter
- Ice
Method
- Add the Agave Syrup and bitters into a mixing glass and stir
- Add ice and Sierra Antiguo Plata and stir until well-chilled
- Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube
- Express the oil of an orange into the glass, then drop it into the glass to garnish
