September, 2015 | The Everyday Hostess

Cocktails September 6, 2015

How to Infuse Vodka!

My boyfriend and I recently discovered a spicy jalapeño vodka drink at a local restaurant, and we have been determined to learn how to recreate it so we can serve it at our own dinner parties. It has been so much fun experimenting with different types of ingredients and really transforming this cocktail into our own. We messed around with different jalapeño muddling techniques and adding different types of peppers, but what finally really made the difference was infusing the vodka with jalapeños.

Since this little experiment, we have been infusing vodka with all different types of fruits, peppers, and spices to give our own unique spin to some of our favorite cocktails.

We used to go to cocktail bars and read the cocktail menus and think there was no way that we could reconfigure these drinks at home since most of them involved self-infused vodkas. Infusing liquor seemed so formal and fancy to me that I didn’t think it was something we could easily do…but boy was I wrong! Infusing vodka is seriously so simple and just involves 5-10 minute prep time and a few days of infusion…then voila…you have your own personally infused vodka that will last for years! (or minutes since it’s so tasty!)

Infusing vodka involves just a few easy steps:

Appetizers September 5, 2015

Chicken Salad Sliders

These chicken salad sandwich rolls are the perfect bite size sandwiches, whether for a nice picnic on the weekend, an appetizer for a cocktail party, or a something a little special for your kid’s lunches. I recently made these rolls for a Summer Soiree that my roommates and I hosted. We didn’t serve a full dinner, just smaller “Snacks” or appetizers and finger sandwiches, so this recipe was just perfect! Filling (even for the guys out there) but still small and dainty!

Breakfast September 2, 2015

Breakfast Potatoes

I have been experimenting with breakfast potatoes quite a bit lately. I’ve tried frying them, cooking them on a skillet, and baking, and I have to say these are best and easiest of them all! They are perfectly crisp on the outside but still soft on the inside. The perfect amount of spice and salt rounds them off perfectly. Plus they are SO easy to make. A little bit of chopping, slicing and dicing, then throw them in the oven for 40 minutes and voila! They are perfect and ready to be served.

I like to make these for brunch parties of all sizes, whether it is a large party of 10 or more or a more intimate gathering. They are always a crowd pleaser. I made similar potatoes on a skillet for a brunch party a few weeks ago, but I found that baking them just streamlines your party prep process and allows you to focus on other details rather than needing to babysit them on the stove. Plus it leaves some stove space available if you are making pancakes or eggs or anything that requires a skillet.

Appetizers September 1, 2015

Caprese Bites

Caprese bites are the easiest appetizer for any party, whether it’s a formal cocktail party, an outdoor picnic, or a casual dinner party, these easy bites are perfect! I recently made these for a Summer Soiree that my roommates and I threw as a semi housewarming/end of summer celebration. These were the perfect addition to my “Snack” menu, as they were easy for guests to pick up and eat while mingling and visiting with other friends.

September 2015