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It’s Fall, y’all! And, in the Fall I crave bourbon. For a recent low-key Fall party, I crafted a super simple, but delicious cocktail featuring Broken Top Bourbon, sparkling wine, and apple cider. I put it together on the bar so guests could make their own. However, you could also pre-prep and create a delicious punch! This cocktail would be a great addition to your Thanksgiving table and would also be a tasty addition to the winter holiday season!

This post is in partnership with Cascade Street Distillery. I was provided a complimentary product. All opinions are my own. Thank you for reading and learning more about the companies that support this blog. 

Bourbon Sparkling Apple Cider Cocktail Recipe | A Well Crafted Party

When I say that this cocktail is simple… I mean it. I love a well-crafted cocktail with gorgeous ingredients and garnishes, but I also really value simple (but quality) solutions to hosting events. There are a lot of things happening when you host, might as well make it easy on yourself if you have a great and easy solution! One way to really make this cocktail hit a home run with your guests is by picking really good ingredients. I picked a local hand-pressed apple cider and Oregon-produced, small-batch bourbon that has been aged in charred oak barrels and has notes of caramel and vanilla. Taking extra steps of garnishing your drinks with things like a cinnamon sugar rim, apple slices, or cinnamon sticks will also make this drink extra special.

Bourbon Sparkling Apple Cider Cocktail Recipe | A Well Crafted Party

Bourbon Sparkling Apple Cider Cocktail

Single Glass:

Combine 1.5 oz of Broken Top Bourbon (or your favorite bourbon), 2 oz of chilled apple cider, and 3 oz of chilled sparkling wine in a glass. Garnish with apple slices, cinnamon sticks, or a cinnamon sugar rim.

Punch: Makes 8 glasses

Note: When making this pitcher cocktail I recommend adding ice cubes made of apple cider rather than water so that the drink doesn’t dilute in flavor as the ice melts. Due to the addition of ice, there is a bit more bourbon than what you’d have in a single glass portioning.

Combine 2 cups of bourbon, 3 cups of ice, 2.5 cups of apple cider, and 1 bottle of sparkling wine in a punch bowl or pitcher. If you are creating a punch bowl then add in apple slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish.

What type of spirit do you prefer in the Fall? Do you have a favorite Fall cocktail? Share in the comment section below!

 

Rain or shine, I’m excited about Spring, especially when I get to use it as an excuse to have a dinner party. I partnered with Macy’s Backstage, Macy’s new off-price store within their department store, to redesign space and celebrate spring. We were challenged to create a new space using $200 or less! Challenge accepted. See more from this party and what other bloggers have done with their challenge by searching #MacysBackstage on your favorite social media platform.

Spring Dinner Party featuring Macy’s Backstage

If you’ve ever put together a tablescape then you know that things can add up. Plates, centerpieces, glassware, dinnerware, linens.. the list goes on and on. I have always been an advocate of purchasing good quality, neutral items that can be used in almost any situation. However, every now and again, you want to spruce things up a bit! I wanted to really create a lovely Spring-inspired dining area with my challenge from Macy’s Backstage.

Utilize loved finds in new ways

I had so much fun going through the home decor section of Macy’s Backstage. I really enjoy finding things that can be multi-use items. For this spring dinner party, I knew that while I wanted a spring-like feel I also didn’t want to have to store items that I could only bring out really for the spring and summer. I found really amazing deals on beautiful pots that worked great in my dinner party as a vase, wine cooler, and candle holder… but, I’ll also be able to house some fresh herbs in them or succulents. The large blue pot that is holding the flowers was seriously only $8! AMAZING prices. Oh, and that tablecloth? Yea, it was $15.

Did I meet the challenge?

For sure! Some of the table items/ glassware were ones that I already owned, but I still would have been able to meet the challenge had I supplied everything from Macy’s Backstage. I was also able to get some fun spring attire to wear at my spring dinner party. Check out my total:

Purchased:

  • 2 Pairs of Jeans (they have clothing all the way from babies to plus size!)
  • 3 tops
  • 1 hat (so many fun accessories there as well!)
  • 1 tablecloth
  • 3 pots
  • 1 hurricane candle holder
  • candles (a few!)
  • Water dispenser (pictured below… I’m in love.)
  • Serving Dish

All of that cost me $179 at Macy’s Backstage.

Macy’s Backstage Grand Opening

The Portland location for this new concept from Macy’s is located at the Llyod Center Mall. It is celebrating the grand opening on April 14th starting at 10 AM. The first 200 shoppers get a scratch-off card worth anywhere from $5 to $25 off of their Backstage purchase. Not in Portland? Macy’s Backstage is opening up across the nation in different locations. Check here to find the Macy’s Backstage near you.

More about Macy’s Backstage: The Macy’s Backstage concept was created specifically for the stylish yet cost-conscious shopper. The space features home decor, gifts, entertaining ware, kitchen goods, toys, shoes, children attire, youth attire, men’s attire, women’s attire, plus-size women’s attire, accessories, beauty products, and more.

Giveaway

Macy’s Backstage is offering one of my readers a $100 gift card. I’m giving it away over on my Instagram. Hop on over to enter to win. Giveaway ends on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 11:59 PM. I’ll message the winner on Monday, April 16th.

Happy shopping!

I will make no claims to having the best chili recipe. As a matter of fact, some wouldn’t even consider this recipe a chili recipe because it contains beans (GASP!) but, whether or not it is a chili or a goulash, it is a DARN tasty recipe. When making chili I tend to make it pretty mild so that my family will eat it. I tend to bring a lot of the spice in my personal bowl of chili as I’m adding toppings. If you prefer a spicier chili from the get-go then I’d recommend doubling or tripling the amount of jalapeno in the recipe or adding in some of your favorite spicy peppers.

One of the things I love about chili recipes is that they are SO simple to create in a slow-cooker and to make in bulk to freeze some for later or easily serve a crowd. The recipe below can absolutely be made without the slow cooker, but I love the way the flavors come together while cooked low and slow.

Slow Cooker Bean and Beef Chili - A Well Crafted Party

Slow-Cooker Bean and Beef Chili:

(Mild to Medium spice level)

Ingredients:

  • 3 lbs beef chuck processed in a food processor (or sub ground beef)
  • 1 red bell pepper- diced
  • 1 green bell pepper- diced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper- diced
  • 1 medium sized yellow onion – diced
  • 1-2 jalapeno peppers- seeded and diced (1 for mild, 2 for medium)
  • 4 cloves of garlic diced
  • 1 14 oz can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 15 oz can of red kidney beans (drained)
  • 1 15 oz can of pinto beans (drained)
  • 1 6 oz can of tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 TBSP of cocoa powder
  • 3 TBSP Chili powder
  • 2 TBSP Sugar
  • 2 TSP Cumin Powder
  • 2 TSP Smoked Paprika
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • Olive oil

Directions:

  1. Mix the chili powder, cumin, and paprika in with the ground beef and brown in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Strain the browned meat and put the meat into a slow-cooker along with tomato paste, sugar, cocoa, beef broth, kidney beans, and pinto beans.
  3. In a saute pan heat 1 TBSP of olive oil on med-high heat and the saute the bell peppers, onions, garlic, and jalapenos until slightly soft. Add vegetables to the crockpot.
  4. Mix ingredients. Cook on low in the slow-cooker for 6 hours.

Slow Cooker Bean and Beef Chili - A Well Crafted Party

Note: The meat has been cooked already so the chili can be eaten as soon as it has heated through. However, the flavors blend better over the course of the slow cook. Serve with you favorite chili toppings. Personally, I like a dollop of whipped cream, sharp cheddar cheese, and chives.

 

Think this looks good? You have to try my slow-cooker chicken chili as well!