You’re celebrating New Year’s Eve at your beach condo in North Carolina. You’ve had enough of the endless cheese plates and heavy holiday meals. Why not ring in 2012 with something simple and sweet? Throw a “Drinks & Desserts” party! Let your friends share their New Year’s resolutions over refreshments that sparkle with the spirit of the season.
Be the host or hostess with the mostest – and serve a selection of fancy hors d’oeuvre style desserts. These tiny mouthfuls of holiday goodness spread the cheer to younger guests, non-drinkers and designated drivers at your party, and they’re small enough that even calorie-conscious New Year’s dieters can indulge. Possibilities for homemade miniature treats include:
* Bite-sized crème brulee – the rich, creamy, crunchy custard you love, poured into elegant spoons.
* Dark chocolate mousse – a decadent batch of mousse, served in shot glasses.
* Mini cheesecake – use small molds and top with a fresh raspberry.
* Fresh bites of tropical fruits – pineapple, mango, and passionfruit snap with color.
* Cake pops – tiny bites of cake on lollipop sticks, covered in frosting and sprinkles.
* Banana split bites – a slice of banana dipped in chocolate, with a dollop of whipped cream and a cherry on top!
You can complement your delightful desserts with creative mixed drinks like these:
* The Winter Solstice – vodka, orange liqueur, lemon juice and club soda, garnished with mint leaves and raspberries.
* The Polar Bear Shooter – white crème de cacao, peppermint schnapps.
* The Midnight Martini – stay up ’til the ball drops with vodka, coffee liqueur, and a lemon twist.
* The Resolution Martini – gin, apricot brandy and lemon juice.
* The Countdown Cocktail – gin, blood orange juice, Angostura bitters.
For the wine snobs in your circle, feature Pinot Gris, a white wine with flavors ranging from melon to pear and even citrus. Pinot Gris has a smooth texture, with silky overtones that please the palate and go well with dessert.
Don’t forget, you can book the Lobby Lounge for all your gatherings. And, you may want to round out your night at the Outdoor Fire Pit. Happy 2012 from Grande Villas!
How sweet was your New Year’s celebration? Share it with your friends and neighbors in the comment section.
Homeowners at Grande Villas may have the impression they don’t have as much control over making their condo energy-efficient as they might with a single-family home. But there are actually a lot of simple “green” choices that can help you lower utility costs and make your North Carolina beach condo more environmentally friendly.
“Let’s get away!” This is a shared cry of the typical overstressed family, plagued by too many activities and too many hours at work. In the Southeast, a common destination for such an escape is the beach – specifically, the gorgeous beaches of North Carolina. But then there’s the hassle of exactly where to go, where to stay and then making all the arrangements.
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