Simply Cranberry co*cktail & Hors d'oeuvre Recipes (2024)

I love getting together for dinner with my extended family! We always have the best time catching up over some of the yummiest culinary creations. At our most recent family shin-dig, I was in charge of the co*cktail hour. Here is the menu served:

• Simply Cranberry co*cktail Sangria
• Simply Cranberry co*cktail Mojitos (virgin and non)
• Cranberry Topped Brie with French Baguette Rounds
• Bacon-wrapped Apricots with Cranberry Dipping Sauce
• Strawberry Spinach Salad with Dried Cranberries, Feta, and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Are you noticing a theme here? LOL! My 5 year old called our family dinner “The Cranberry Party”, and since everyone in my family thoroughly enjoys cranberry creations “The Cranberry Party” was well received.

Today I’m going to share with you all of my easy-peasy recipes in case you want to host your own cranberry party!

I’m a fan of Simply Orange® and Simply Lemonade® so was excited to try their latest addition to the Simply beverage family when they asked me to. Like their orange juice,Simply Cranberryco*cktail is gently pasteurized with no added preservatives and is always kept chilled from the time it’s blended to the refrigerated section of a store near you. The co*cktail is made with 27% not-from-concentrate cranberry juice and has a good balance of sweetness and tartness. Best of all it tastes fantastic in many-a-mixed drink :).

Here is the recipe for my Cranberry Sangria.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of red wine such as Zinfandel
• 5 cups of Simply Cranberry co*cktail
• 1 cup of orange juice
• 1 cup of orange liqueur
• 1/2 of an orange sliced
• 1 lime halved and sliced
• 1 green apple, cored, and sliced
• 1/2 cup of sliced strawberries

Combine all the ingredients and let chill for at least five hours. Serve over ice and enjoy!

In addition to Cranberry Sangria, I made virgin and non-virgin Cranberry Mojitos for everyone. We had trouble deciding which drink we liked better. Both were refreshing and delicious!

Ingredients:

• 3 wedges of lime
• 5 fresh mint leaves, washed
• ľ oz simple syrup (to make simple syrup take equal parts sugar and water and boil for a minute on the stove; cool and chill in refrigerator beforehand)
• cubed ice
• 1 oz Simply Cranberry co*cktail
• 2˝ oz vodka
• 1 oz soda water (or lemon/lime soda for a sweeter taste)

Directions:

1. Combine the lime wedges, mint leaves and simple syrup in a bowl and crush with a mortar and pestle (or back of a fork).
2. Transfer ingredients to a shaker and fill the shaker with ice.
3. Add the vodka and Simply Cranberryco*cktail.
4. Shake vigorously.
5. Pour all of the ingredients into a wine glass without straining.
6. Top with soda water and garnish with mint.

I didn’t want my teenage nieces to feel left out so their non-alcoholic Simply Cranberryco*cktail Mojitos were made using equal parts of lemon/lime soda and Simply Cranberryco*cktail with crushed lime and fresh mint leaves. Just look at those beautiful smiles! I think it’s safe to say they enjoyed their fun drinks!

For our hors d’oeuvres, I first served some Cranberry Topped Brie with French Baguette Rounds. To make, simply heat 1/2 cup of dried cranberries and 1/2 cup of Simply Cranberryco*cktail in a pan over medium heat stirring frequently until mixture is syrupy. Pour cranberry mixture over your brie and serve with crackers or french bread.

And finally, I served the easiest yet most amazing appetizer that is a must try: Bacon-wrapped Apricots with Cranberry Dipping Sauce (recipe modified from Yummly.com).

Ingredients:

• 2 t cornstarch (mixed with) 2 t water
• 3/4 t mustard (grain)
• 1 1/2 t brown sugar (packed)
• 1/2 t ground nutmeg
• 12 sliced bacon (sliced in half)
• 24 dried apricots
• 1 1/2 cups Simply Cranberryco*cktail

Directions:

These recipes were all incredibly easy to make and the continuity of our Simply Cranberryco*cktail theme was so much fun! I hope you’re inspired to throw your own “cranberry party”!

“Simply Cranberry_™” is a trademark of Simply Orange Juice Company.