Today I’m joining some of my favorite blogging pals for an Autumn Progressive Dinner. We’ll kick off the evening with Apple Cider Aperol Spritz, an easy, crowd pleasing batch drink (I’ll give you the single drink recipe too) that’s ideal for any fall menu. Let’s get this Autumn Progressive Dinner started.
Progressive dinners are so much fun and I’m excited to join Annie, Mary Ann, Cindy and Sheri to host an Autumn Progressive Dinner.
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Autumn Progressive Dinner Menu
Doesn’t it all sound scrumptious?! And perfect for an autumn evening with friends?
I’m in California so, weather permitting, we’ll kick things off with Apple Cider Aperol Spritz’ on the patio.
First Stop – Drinks
All images by Monica Vargas Photography
When serving a crowd, batched drinks are the way to go. Apple Cider Aperol Spritz can be mixed in a pitcher shortly before guests arrive. More on that later .
Apple Cider Aperol Spritz for 10
You’ll need hard cider, Aperol, Club Soda and ice. That’s it.
For garnish you’ll need thyme sprigs and apple slices.
Up level your presentation by rimming the glasses with cinnamon sugar. Yum.
Ingredients
Method
- Combine Aperol and cider in a large pitcher and stir.
- Pour into prepared glasses (rimmed with cinnamon sugar and filled with ice) to about 1" below rim.
- Top glasses with Club Soda.
- Garnish each glass with a sprig of thyme and slice of apple.
- Thorough combine sugar and cinnamon in shallow bowl or ramekin that is wider than the mouth of serving glass.
- Pour a little hard cider or apple cider in a second bowl.
- Dip top of glass into cider, then dip it into cinnamon sugar until the rim is evenly coated.
Combine the hard cider and Aperol in a pitcher and stir and refrigerate. Just before guests arrive, pour the cider Aperol mixture into ice filled, sugar rimmed glasses (about 3/4 full), and top with Club Soda.
Garnish with thyme and an apple slice and you’re ready to welcome guests!
Welcome to our Autumn Progressive Dinner!
To make a single Apple Cider Aperol Spritz …
- 4 oz hard cider
- 2 oz Aperol
- 1 oz Club Soda
- Thyme sprig & apple slice for garnish
Cocktail Hour Nibbles
Sure they’ll be lot’s of wonderful food served throughout the evening, but I still offer something to nibble during cocktail hour. Something simple, easy and fun that you can buy or throw together quickly. Like Ina Garten’s Chipoltle & Rosemary Roasted Nuts from her How Easy is That? cookbook. I substituted thyme for rosemary to be compatible with Apple Cider Aperol Spritz garnish.
Potato chips, cheese straws, and truffled popcorn are fun too!
As the first stop on the autumn progressive dinner trail, I want to set a fun vibe. Weather permitting we’ll be cocktailing on the patio around fire pit with twinkle lights overhead. And fun, upbeat music.
A great playlist is essential to a good party and I rely on Yacht Rock to set the tone. Don’t roll your eyes, it puts everyone in a festive mood, including me. Here’s my go-to Yacht Rock playlist.
Maggie and Pippa are excited to welcome you to cocktail hour at Snowberry! Hope you didn’t wear black.
Let’s get this Autumn Progressive Dinner started!
Shop ~
And there you have it, Apple Cider Aperol Spritz on the patio. The first stop on our Autumn Progressive Dinner.
Next stop, Harvest Charcuterie & Wine at Cindy’s.
Be sure to visit each and every house for amazing recipes and entertaining ideas!
Are you inspired to host an Autumn Progressive Dinner? I hope so.
As always, I appreciate you taking the time to read my latest dispatch. If you’re new here, welcome! Sign up here to receive new posts hot-off-the press delivered direct to your inbox. Each Saturday morning I post a weekly round up of inspirations and goings-on, with one to two additional posts – like this one – each month related to love of home, style and travel. If you’d like to follow me on Instagram at @makemineaspritzer I’d love that too!
Cheers from Snowberry!