Offer a Warm Welcome
Invite your guests to settle in and relax by serving a classic pairing—cocktails and appetizers—with a welcome surprise: something both sweet and savory, rich and refreshing, in every bite. What better way to kick of your party than with this perfectly scrumptious—and delightfully unexpected—flavor combination.
Make a memorable first impression with a delicious twist on a classic cocktail and a go-to favorite appetizer that easily combines sweet, savory, and smoky flavors all in one sumptuous bite.
While a classic Old Fashioned combines bourbon or rye whisky with sugar and bitters, this version features premium Crown Royal Vanilla Canadian whisky and a fresh orange peel for a cocktail with a surprisingly delicious, distinctive flavor that’s sure to become your guests’ new favorite.
Named for the way the smoky bacon sits atop the sweet, cheese-filled dates (or apricots) Devils on Horseback are as easy and satisfying to make and serve as they are to enjoy. If you’ve never made these, be prepared to add them to your repertoire as guests will be sure to rave and ask for an encore!
Check out the Vanilla Old Fashioned Recipe below and find ingredients and steps for the Devils on Horseback recipe here.
Vanilla Old Fashioned Recipe
INGREDIENTS
2oz Crown Royal Vanilla
.5 tsp of Simple Syrup
2-3 Dashes of Bitters
Orange Peel
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice and garnish with orange twist.
Set the Scene
Easily create a seasonal environment with earth-toned accents, focusing on cream-colors with deep red and warm browns that evoke the flavors of your meal. It’s easy to conjure up a creamy, dreamy seasonal theme without redecorating your home. Consider changing up these home décor, accessories, tools, and tabletop items to bring the spirit of the season home without breaking the bank.
Look for soft, washable cotton napkins, placemats, and tablecloths in cream, caramel, and light brown shades. Layer the table with lighter, creamy colored placemats and tablecloths and darker, richer colored placemats and tablecloths, or vice-versa, as you wish.
Consider a set of gold-rimmed cocktail or drinking glasses and a gold, bronze, or copper cocktail shaker and ice bucket. Metallics are magical: both seasonal and timeless. This color combination evokes a fall foliage mix but can easily take you through the holidays and beyond.
Go for classic cream-colored tapers in bronze, gold, or copper holders. Choose candles that are dripless and long-lasting, like beeswax or soy varieties. For side-tables and coffee tables, go for darker, richer berry shades and brown in pillar candles, also set on metallic holders.
Create a tasteful seasonal centerpiece using dried berries, leaves, and willow branches or a collection of pillar candles, again following a foliage-inspired mix of metallics. Be sure to mix bright reds and golds in with browns and creams for a lively, eye-catching mix.
Make Your Main Course a Tropical Treat
For dinner, offer a taste of the tropics with a smoky, spicy grilled Jamaican Jerk Chicken that’s as memorable as it is surprisingly easy to make. Combining the freshness of citrus with the kick of jalapeño and mustard, the herbaceous mix of cumin, thyme, and parsley, and the warmth of allspice and cinnamon, the rub does all the work here. Simply combine ingredients in a bowl, coat the chicken and fire up the grill (indoor or out).
While this magical blend of jerk spices heat up your night, invite guests to cool off with distinctive Vainilla Piñas: both refreshingly food-friendly and super easy to whip up by the pitcher or glass.
Check out the Vainilla Piña Recipe below and find ingredients and steps for the Jamaican Jerk Chicken recipe here.
Vainilla Piña Recipe
INGREDIENTS
2 oz Crown Royal Vanilla
1 oz Pineapple Juice
0.75 oz Lemon Juice
0.5 oz Simple Syrup
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well.
- Strain into a highball glass with ice.
The Key to Successful Hosting: Relax
As the weather chills out, so should you, especially when it comes to entertaining. When you feel comfortable and happy, so will your guests. Keep these simple rules in mind.
End on a Sweet Note
Indulgence doesn’t get any sweeter or easier than this. Pairing a vanilla-and-coffee affogato with easy, seasonal pumpkin cheesecake bars offers the perfect balance of richness, creaminess, and refreshment, all along the sweetness scale. Because the affogato almost doubles as both an aperitif and a dessert, these bars can be sliced into bite-sized pieces for just a hint of pumpkin and cheese flavor without over-indulgence (though you can certainly welcome guests to indulge in more than one-of both)!
Check out the Reverse Affogato Recipe below and find ingredients and steps for the Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars recipe here.
Reverse Affogato Recipe
INGREDIENTS
2oz Crown Royal Vanilla
2 scoops of Coffee Ice Cream
Shaved Chocolate
INSTRUCTIONS
- Warm Crown Royal Vanilla and pour over coffee ice cream.
- Top with shaved chocolate.
Tasting Notes
With its inimitably soft, floral sweetness, vanilla is the ultimate flavor enhancer, pairing particularly well with smoky, spicy, indulgent foods, including grilled meats or poultry and savory autumn vegetables. It’s also an ideal complement for almost any dessert course. That’s why Crown Royal Vanilla naturally pairs surprisingly well with every aspect of a dining experience.
With these tips and tricks, hosting doesn't have to be stressful. Download our featured recipes for easy access as you prep for your big night!