Mock tails and appetizers

[redkitty]

A co-worker/friend is getting married and I am helping with the bridal shower at work. We came up with an idea to make the shower like a mini wedding reception (theme wise...as in we want it "fancy"...using the term loosely here.) So then we thought hors d'oeuvres and mocktails (it will be during work so the mock part is important...though we are going to serve actual champagne.) Anyway, the bride is of polish descent and the groom is from KY (no idea what his descent is... ) So we thought we would serve some Polish appetizers and some Kentucky appetizers. I think for the Polish ones if I can make potato pancakes and reheated them without them being icky, that is what we will go with. Relatively easy-ish.

But ideas for Kentucky? when I google I get deviled eggs, which is fine or a Kentucky Brown sandwich or possibly meatballs in a bourbon sauce. But any other suggestions?

also, do you all have good  mocktail recipes that can be made in larger quantities that are good? We will have around 20 people. Having a mix of 2-3 would be good. The ones I found online would probably work for individuals, but seem like an awful lot of work to make for 20 plus people (I am not sitting there making drinks, these need to be pre-made.) I have until the end of June to figure this out.

[radial]

Bourbon balls are a KY fav. 

[Run Amok]

I would think you could make pretty much any mocktail recipe in pitcher form vs one drink at a a time-- just figure out the ratios & scale up. What's the difference btween a mocktail & punch? Some sort of hibiscus thing would be pretty & fun. Or, add lime juice & mint to ginger beer & call it a mint julep?

[redkitty]

I would think you could make pretty much any mocktail recipe in pitcher form vs one drink at a a time-- just figure out the ratios & scale up. What's the difference btween a mocktail & punch? Some sort of hibiscus thing would be pretty & fun. Or, add lime juice & mint to ginger beer & call it a mint julep?

The fact that you call them mocktails instead of punch? I have no idea if there really is a difference. Maybe presentation?

Yea a mint julep showed up as one. That would fit with the theme.

I saw one for a mocktail of a blood mary...um...isn't that just tomato juice? So yea, I laughed at some of the google suggestions.

[caribougrrl]

elderflower fizz mocktail:

one part elderflower syrup
one part lime juice
two parts soda water


or if you can get sparkling elderflower water (bottle green brand is very good), you can mix 3 parts of the elderflower water with one part lime juice

[caribougrrl]

make sure to have some kielbasa!

[redkitty]

make sure to have some kielbasa!

I would, but friend is very specific about her kielbasa. She likes the fresh kielbasa and not the smoked. I wouldn't even know where to buy that here. Growing up I ate a ton of kielbasa but before I met her I didn't know there was a difference (I have only ever had smoked.) There is a butcher shop nearby, they might have some...maybe...I don't really live in a super ethnic area anymore. Now I am off to google to see if I can find that in this area.

[Run Amok]

Wait, is this bridezilla from the procreative thread?

[redkitty]

Wait, is this bridezilla from the procreative thread?

Yes. We are actually friends. I still think she is a bit of a Bridezilla but I am not actually part of the wedding so whatever. She also goes above and beyond for essentially any of her friends in the office for this sort of occasion so I feel we need to pay it back a bit.

And a quick google search shows me there is a Polish group in my area so they might know where to get fresh kielbasa...they make their own...which I will not do. I like her, but not that much. 

[witchypoo]

one can limeade concentrate
one large bottle (64 oz.) 100% cranberry juice
seltzer
limes cut into thin rounds

in a large punch bowl, mix the limeade with the entire bottle of juice.  add seltzer to taste.  serve with lime rounds.

[diablita]

that sounds delicious 

[witchypoo]

it's pretty tasty (and can easily be served leaded, if that's your pleasure)

[Magic Microbe]

I made virgin pina pina colodas for some kids at a get together the other weekend

[rocketgirl]

I hosted a small mocktail party this weekend.  Most of the recipes were from "Dry: Delicious Handcrafted Cocktails and Other Clever Concoctions―Seasonal, Refreshing, Alcohol-Free", and one was from Zero Proof Cocktails: Alcohol-Free Beverages for Every Occasion.

Book links: 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1615195025/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580089593/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Recipes used, as modified:

Blood Orange and Sage Margarita
•   4 oz blood orange juice (sub blood orange soda & orange seltzer)
•   1 oz lime juice
•   ½ oz hibiscus syrup
•   3 sage leaves
•   Ice cubes
•   Wedge of Lime

Pear and Rosemary on the Rocks
•   2 oz pear juice
•   1 oz lemon juice
•   1 oz rosemary simple syrup (sub simple syrup and muddled rosemary)
•   Ice cubes
•   Sparkling water (sub lemon-lime seltzer)
•   Sprig of rosemary for garnish

Paloma Fizz
•   2 oz pink grapefruit juice
•   2 TBSP rosemary simple syrup (sub simple syrup and muddled rosemary)
•   Crushed ice
•   5 oz sparkling water or grapefruit soda (or sub grapefruit seltzer)
•   Sprig of rosemary for garnish

Cucumber & Elderflower Cooler
•   Fresh basil
•   4 slices cucumber
•   Lime wedges
•   2 ½ oz elderflower cordial (sub elderflower syrup)
•   ¾ oz rosemary simple syrup (sub muddled rosemary)
•   Dash of lime juice
•   Crushed ice
•   Sparkling water (sub lemon-lime seltzer)
•   Basil & cucumber to garnish

Chile & Lime Margarita
•   5 oz lime juice
•   1 ½ oz chile-infused syrup (sub red pepper syrup)
•   1 oz orange juice
•   Lime slices
•   Ice cubes
•   Lime to garish

Blueberry Julep
•   ¼ cup blueberries
•   6 mint leaves
•   Lime wedges
•   1 tsp sugar
•   Crushed ice
•   7 oz ginger beer
•   Sprig of mint & wedge of lime to garnish

Ginger, Lime & Angostura Fizz
•   1 oz ginger & black peppercorn syrup (sub ginger syrup & drops of black pepper infusion)
•   1 TBSP lime juice
•   Ice cubes
•   Sparkling water (sub lemon-lime seltzer)
•   Dashes of Angostura bitters
•   Lime to garnish

Fizzy Lime Tonic (This is the only one from the Zero Proof book)
•   Ice
•   1 TBSP sweetened lime juice
•   1 cup tonic water
•   Dash of grenadine
•   Mint spring for garnish

On our own, because we've had (& liked) coffee vodka with cream soda before, we did decaf coffee (not hot) with cream soda.  Probably about 1 part coffee to 2  parts cream soda.

My group did not care for the taste of tonic water.  The Chile and Lime Margarita was probably the most popular.   

We didn't serve it last night, but I've also discovered that making a "mule" with a little extra lime juice, subbing lemon-lime seltzer for the vodka, and adding some mint makes a really nice drink - sort of like a merged mule/mojito.

[rocketgirl]

And one of my friends brought this "Hot Buttered Pineapple Mocktail" which was also good.

https://www.thepurplepumpkinblog.co.uk/hot-buttered-pineapple-mocktail/?fbclid=IwAR0qeZmH3Pmi4ver0OEEDDM-h4oJK3zvKXkGqiNepCBfZigca_fqY03n7fg