Get a Little Wild This New Year’s Eve….
Ring in the New Year with a plant-based cocktail party! I know, I know, that sounds like a lot of work. Especially if you’re feeling burnt out after hosting Christmas. But no fret, I’ve got you covered. I’ve partnered with the folks at Wild Blueberries to create an entire plant-based New Year’s party menu, start-to-finish. These tasty recipes are the perfect way to start the New Year off on the right foot!
The Cocktail
Truth be told, I’m no stranger to this Wild Blueberry Whiskey Lemonade. The refreshing combination of Wild Blueberries and lemon juice is so good it works well any time of year, but it’s the perfect way to ring in 2019 (while getting in your antioxidants!).
Wild Blueberry Whiskey Lemonade
This Wild Blueberry Whiskey Lemonade is quite the crowd pleaser!
Ingredients
For the Wild Blueberry Syrup:
- 1 1/4 cups Wild Blueberries
- 1/3 cup cane sugar
- 1/2 cup water
For the Wild Blueberry Whiskey Lemonade:
- 1/2 cup whiskey
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup Wild Blueberry syrup
- 1/2 cup club soda
- 1 handful ice cubes plus more for serving
- 1 handful Wild Blueberries for serving
Instructions
For the Wild Blueberry Syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine cane sugar, water, and Wild Blueberries. Over medium heat, bring the Wild Blueberry mixture to a simmer. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent burning. Cook until blueberries are soft. Let cool completely.
- Once cooled, strain the Wild Blueberry syrup over a seperate bowl. Set syrup aside for Wild Blueberry Whiskey Lemonade. *
For the Wild Blueberry Whiskey Lemonade:
- Combine whiskey, lemon juice, Wild Blueberry syrup in a large shaker and shake until well combined.
- Place a few ice cubes into four glasses. Pour the Wild Blueberry Whiskey Lemonade into the cocktail glasses. Plop in a few extra wild blueberries and serve immediately.
Notes
*Be sure to save the Wild Blueberries that were left behind in your strainer! They can be used to spread on toast or mix into oatmeal.
The Appetizer
Appetizers are the main attraction for any New Year’s Eve party. This year, try my coconut crusted tempeh skewers with Wild Blueberry BBQ sauce. This recipe is especially fun for New Year’s because it’s served in a shot glass. Cute, right? And the Wild Blueberry BBQ Sauce is so good that you’ll want to take shots of it, trust me.
Coconut Crusted Tempeh Skewers with Wild Blueberry BBQ Sauce
If you’re looking for an easy appetizer that combines the intense flavor and antioxidant power of Wild Blueberries with the delicious savory goodness of a sweet potato, these Wild Blueberry sweet potato stacks are for you. These one-bite stacks are addictive-ly delicious (I’m thankful for the built-in portion control!).
Wild Blueberry Sweet Potato Stacks
The Main Course
If you’re making a main meal, this Wild Blueberry and mushroom risotto is the perfect fancy entree. Risotto is an Italian favorite and I loved adding a pop of Wild Blueberry fruitiness to break up this traditionally heavy dish. You’ll love the sweet-savory combo from these two nutrient-rich powerhouse ingredients!
Wild Blueberry & Wild Mushroom Risotto
The Side Dish
For something a little different, try this stuffed acorn squash with farro and Wild Blueberries. Farro is one of my favorite grains and the texture works exceptionally well with the Wild Blueberries. Wild Bluberries are so versatile, they really go well with almost anything you pair them with!
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Farro and Wild Blueberries
The Dessert
How fun are these Wild Blueberries and brie puff pastry bites? These are perfect for dessert or as an appetizer. The gorgeous color of the Wild Blueberries really makes this pastry stand out and I love the addition of rosemary!
Wild Blueberry and Brie Puff Pastry Bites
Don’t forget breakfast on New Year’s Day! This Wild Blueberry crumb cake is super simple (one-bowl!) to throw together, has gorgeous color, and sneaks in some antioxidants after a long night. I suggest making two batches of this crumb cake and freeze one of them for later.
Easy Wild Blueberry Crumb Cake
