If there ever was a weekend to party, it’s coming up this week, with Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby happening back-to-back. So, gather you friends, put your favorite ciders on ice and get ready to enjoy a beautiful spring weekend in style!
Save a few ounces of that cider, though, to stir into some tasty recipes. Here are a few creative — and easy! — ideas from the Cider Culture kitchen (developed by our awesome sister company, Dish Works):
Jalapeño Pitcher Ciderita
Spicy, sweet and sour, this pitcher-cocktail is just begging for chips and guac and cheesy quesadillas to go with it! The best part of this tequila-spiked drink, aside from the fantastic flavors, is that it’s ready to go in just five minutes.
Simple Slow-Cooker Cider Chicken Tacos
Set it and forget it! These cider chicken tacos are a snap with the help of your trusty slow cooker. A can of your favorite session cider adds a touch of sweetness that’s a perfect combo with spicy taco seasonings.
Sensational Cider-Spiked Apple Salsa Verde
Trust us on this one: avocado, green apples, tomatillos, cilantro and jalapeño peppers have never been so happy together! This recipe whips up in a jiffy with the use of a blender and makes a large batch; freeze some, share some, or just invite a few extra friends over to enjoy (don’t forget the chips!).
Summer Cider Sangria
Mix up a batch of fruity, refreshing cider sangria for easy afternoon sipping. The cool part about this recipe is that you can customize it however you’d like: Add pineapples and mango for a tropical twist, raid the farmers market for the season’s first strawberries or keep it classic with citrus, grapes and apples.
Derby-Style Maple Cider Mint Julep
Speaking of refreshment, take your mint julep game to the next level with the addition of cider! This Derby-ready cider mint julep has got everything you love about the classic cocktail, with a hint of cider sweetness and some bubbles to boot!
What are you cooking up this weekend? Enjoy!
- Photos: Dish Works