Winter Stay-cation Party: Ski Destination – French Alps

For a cold-climate destination replication of the French Alps, follow these hot cocktail recipes, fondue recipes, and tips for décor!

Hot Cocktails

• Baked Apple Pie (Serves 6)
  • Ingredients:
    • 30 oz unfiltered apple juice
    • 4 whole cloves
    • 3 cinnamon sticks
    • 2 star anise pods
    • 6 oz Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
  • Method:
  1. Put the apple juice in a large pot with whole cloves, cinnamon and star anise.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove from the heat.
  3. Ladle the mixture into six coffee mugs and add 1 oz of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum to each mug.
  4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

• Peppermint Mocha Toddy (Serves 1)
  • Ingredients:
    • 1 oz Peppermint Schnapps
    • ½ oz Dark Crème de Cacao
    • 1 teaspoon crème de menthe
    • 4 oz Hot Chocolate
    • Whipped cream
    • Shaved chocolate or chocolate sprinkles for garnish
  • Method:
  1. Pour the liqueurs into an Irish coffee glass
  2. Fill with hot chocolate
  3. Top with whipped cream
  4. Garnish with shaved chocolate or chocolate sprinkles

• Winter Wonderland(serves 1)
  • Ingredients:
    • 1 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream
    • 1 oz Bushmills Whiskey
    • White hot chocolate
    • Whipped cream
    • Cinnamon for garnish
  • Method:
  1. Combine ingredients in a mug or Irish coffee glass
  2. Stir to combine
  3. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle cinnamon for garnish

 Fondues

• Artisanal Cheese Fondue - Smooth and rich, this fondue recipe is the classic après ski dish on menus in the French Alps.
  • Ingredients:
    • 1 clove garlic, cut in half
    • 1.5 cups dry white wine
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 7 oz Comte cheese, coarsely grated
    • 7 oz Roclette cheese
    • 7 oz Gruyere cheese, coarsely grated
    • Pinch of ground nutmeg
    • Pinch of ground black pepper
    • Pinch of ground paprika
    • 3 tablespoons Kirsch
    • Suggested dippables:
      • Bite sized cubes of bread
      • Bite sized pieces of roasted potatoes
      • 1 inch cubes of seasoned veggies
        • Peppers, Carrots, Broccoli, etc
  • Method:
    1. Rub the inside of a saucepan with the cut side of the garlic and then discard the garlic.
    2. Add the wine and cornstarch to the prepared pan and bring it to a boil.
    3. Reduce the heat so the wine is just simmering and add the cheese, nutmeg, black pepper, and paprika, stirring constantly until the fondue is melted and smooth.
    4. Keeping the heat low to medium, continue cooking, never boiling, the fondue for 15 minutes until it is thickened.
    5. Add the Kirsch and stir constantly for 1 minute.
    6. Transfer the fondue to a fondue pot set over a flame and serve it with cubed bread.

• Chocolate Hazelnut Fondue for those who love sweets.
  • Ingredients:
    • ¾ cups heavy whipping cream, reserve ¼ cup to thin if fondue begins to thicken
    • 4 bittersweet chocolate bars, chopped 3 ½ ounces each
    • 2 tablespoons Bailey’s Hazelnut Liqueur (optional)
    • ¼ cup finely chopped hazelnuts or almonds (optional)
    • Suggested dippables:
      • Bicotti
      • Salted pretzel sticks
      • Cubed pound cake
      • Sliced bananas
      • Strawberries
      • Oranges
      • Pineapple slices
  • Method:
    1. Heat ½ cup cream in a heavy non-reactive saucepot over moderate heat until cream comes to a low boil.
    2. Remove the pan from the heat and add chocolate and let chocolate stand in hot cream for 3 to 5 minutes to soften, then whisk the chocolate together with the cream.
    3. Stir in Bailey’s Hazelnut Liqueur (and chopped nuts) and transfer the fondue to a fondue pot with a flameIf the fondue becomes too thick, stir in reserved cream, 1 tablespoon at a time to get the desired consistency.
    4. Serve with your favorite dippables.

Décor 

• Fireplace
  • A fireplace serves as a gathering spot in a ski lodge after a long day on the slopes.
  • If you do not have an indoor fireplace, create an outdoor fireplace on a non-flammable dry surphase with a “Light ‘n Go Bonfire log from ecoforestfirewood.com
  • For a high-tech option, put a crackling fire DVD on your TV.  You will not get the heat of the fire, but the sight and sound of the fire will create a cozy environment.

• Setting the tone
  • Drape tables and furniture with winter throws (the one above is from Lands’ End) to create a warm feeling for your ski staycation
  • Arrange pine cones and evergreen branches throughout the space to perfume the air with a pine scent which is reminiscent of the aroma of a ski slope coursing along an evergreen forest.
    • You can even use artificial pinecones and evergreen branches that have been recycled from your Christmas decorations.

• Skiing is not the same without freshly fallen snow.  Cut out paper snowflakes and hang them around the room and in the windows, doorways and ceiling.  Embellish the snowflakes with glitter for an added sparkle.

• Ski Gear: When you are on your stay-cation, you do not have to hide your ski gear in the closet.  Use poles, skiis, boots, coats, scarves/hats/gloves and goggles for decoration around the home.  Place the boots near the fire to keep them warm, place the skiis and poles near the front door.  This will give you the sense that you have just come off the mountain.

Dec 18, 2012 | Categories: Party Engineering ® | Tags: apple pie, celebration, Cocktails, Decor, Dinner, drinks, fondue, french alps, hot cocktails, parties, Party, peppermint mocha, recipes, ski, stay-cation, themes, winter | Leave A Comment »