A Lemon Ginger Cocktail

I love a good impromptu dinner party.

We recently hosted couple friends over for dinner on a week night which was such a fun way to get together. I have always been wanting to make Miso Glazed Cod so this was the perfect evening to just do that. I used this recipe from Nobu, however I think because my cod fillets were too big or I might have done a step wrong – the meal didn’t turn out as delicious as Nobu’s, but it was still tasty! Along side I served this cold soba noodle salad – which was a hit! Once our guests arrived, we kicked off the evening with A lemon ginger cocktail to go along side spicy edamame and a simple cheese plate. My goal was to serve something light since it was on a week night and our guests didn’t arrive until 8:30pm. It was such a lovely evening that ended with chocolate gelato and enjoying red wine on our back patio!

For the table setting I went with neutral tones accented with pink! I found these gorgeous Dahlias from Whole Foods so wanted to pull in the color of them into the table. I am obsessed with these napkins I found from an adorable shop in Jackson Hole!

A Lemon Ginger Cocktail Recipe

Serves: 1

INGREDIENTS

1 oz Tito’s vodka
1 oz Limoncello
Ginger beer
Thin lemon slices (for garnish)
Mint (for garnish)

DIRECTIONS

Fill each glass with ice. Measure out 1 oz vodka, pour into a glass, measure out 1 oz limoncello and pour into a glass. Repeat the same amount for additional glasses you are making. Top with ginger beer, garnish with a thin lemon wedge and mint.

Pro tip (from my sister + mother in law): Smash the mint in your hand to release the mini flavor! You can also muddle the mint in the bottom of the glass or in a still and mortar to release even more minty-ness into this cocktail!

Weeknight Entertaining Tips:

Serve something light, such as fish – no one wants to eat anything heavy during the week.
Choose a recipe that is simple for you to make. I loved this Miso Glazed Cod one – you marinate the fish 3 days before so the day of your party you just pull it out and cook it! The Soba Noodle salad can also be made in advance!
Keep your table setting simple using neutrals and grabbing a simple single bunch of flowers for the centerpiece.
Have a signature cocktail and simple apps ready for when your guests arrive so you can focus on cooking!
Lastly, clean as you go (or make your spouse do it :)) so there is less mess for you at the end of the night and you can go to bed since its a weeknight!

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