(Columns may contain opinions belonging to the author)
February 13 is Galentine’s Day, an official reason to celebrate your besties! In my honest (yet unsolicited) humble opinion, Galentine’s Day gatherings seem more authentic than many overly commercialized holidays, so I relish this excuse to make merry with friends at home (usually in my pajamas, thank you very much).
This year my inspo came from a cheeky convo with my girl squad about ex-boyfriends, which then morphed into a personal challenge to create cocktails named after those “charmers.” (I’ve featured a few of those cocktails here while omitting others that are NSFW.) I then purchased a boatload of kitschy Galentine’s garb, including heart-shaped juice boxes and heart-shaped sparklers which are Cute with a capital C. Read on for ideas for hosting your ride-or-dies at your own soiree and go down in history as the Best Galentine’s Day party evah!
💗Start by inviting people who won’t judge you for not cleaning your house (read: your REAL friends).
💗Next, assign someone to create a party playlist. Polling guests in advance for favorite songs makes this job a cinch.
💗Ask someone else to choose the movie lineup. That person could also be in charge of bringing Movie Salad (popcorn with add-ins such as M&Ms, pretzels, nuts).
💗Provide tons of cheat-day snacks. This Snackuterie Tray is so festive + pretty + loaded with sweet treats, you won’t have to be shot by Cupid’s arrow to love it! Just add all your faves to a pretty tray and graze to your heart’s content. Live your life!
💗Create a delish cocktail (or two).
Dessert drinks already have a special aura about them, but anything made with white chocolate liqueur such as this Sweet Surrender will make your guests feel as glam as 1940s’ starlets.
Sweet Surrender
▪︎3 oz half + half
▪︎2 oz vodka
▪︎2 oz raspberry liqueur
▪︎1 oz Mozart White Chocolate Cream Liqueur
Add ingredients to a shaker full of ice. Shake till blended and pour. I dipped these coup glasses in melted chocolate + freeze dried raspberries, then sprinkled the drink with shaved chocolate.
💗Add these Drunken Dipped Strawberries to your snackuterie board or allow them to bask in their own spotlight on a tray to themselves. Of course they are delish even without the vodka.
▪︎2 lbs strawberries, stems intact
▪︎3 C alcohol of choice (optional)
▪︎6 oz white chocolate
▪︎1 tsp coconut oil
▪︎sprinkles and/or melted dark chocolate* for decoration
1. Gently rinse strawberries. Prick them with a sharp seafood fork. Place in large bowl and pour alcohol over them. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-5 hours. After infusing the berries, drain (and reserve) alcohol. Pat them completely dry, as the chocolate will not stick if they are wet.
2. Line baking sheet(s) with parchment paper. and set aside. Melt white chocolate and 1 tsp of coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl at 50% power in 30-second increments, stirring between heatings. One at a time, dip strawberries in chocolate, then garnish with sprinkles, if desired. Then place on parchment to cool. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
*if decorating with dark chocolate, repeat heating instructions. Once melted, add chocolate to a plastic sandwich bag. Snip the tip of one corner to pipe the dark chocolate onto the white chocolate.
💗This recipe for Bad Decision shooters serves 2, begging you to share the blame with your bestie.
▪︎2 oz Tequila Rose Strawberry Cream Liqueur
▪︎1 oz silver tequila
▪︎1 oz Mozart White Chocolate Cream Liqueur
Add ingredients to a shaker full of ice. Shake till blended and pour. I dipped the rims of these glasses into melted chocolate, then topped the drink with whipped cream and a strawberry slice.
💗These Boss Babe Cherry Bombs double as a snack and as a garnish and look extra luxe when topped with edible glitter.
▪︎1 jar maraschino cherries, drained
▪︎1 C vodka, moonshine, or tequila (optional)
▪︎a pinch of Dazzle Dust edible gold glitter
Soak cherries in alcohol of choice for an hour. Drain, reserving alcohol for another use. Pour in a small bowl and sprinkle with glitter. (These cherries will look equally glam even without the alcohol bath.)
Hosting a no-stress Galentine’s gathering of good friends for a buffet of sugar-coma treats, all while wearing pajamas is a wins-on-wins-on-wins situation. As the hostess, don’t forget the most important ingredient to your party’s success is ENJOYING it! Cheers to you! XXOO AB
Ann Beth Strelec is known around town as Naked Epicurean. This cocktail connoisseur also has mad skills in the kitchen and on the grill. Subscribe to the Augusta Good News newsletter here.
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