Everyone knows that the best bit about the holiday season isn’t Christmas day itself. It’s that exciting period in the lead up, filled with cosy gatherings with friends and family. This winter we’ve partnered with Amarula to put together a guide for the ultimate festive supper club, from inspo on dishes and decor, to showstopping Amarula cocktails.
Made from the fruit of the Marula tree, indigenous to sub equatorial Africa, Amarula’s warm, rich and exotic flavour is wonderfully versatile. Whether it’s mixed in a luxurious cocktail or simply enjoyed over ice, this cream-based liqueur lends itself perfectly to a festive get-together. Keep reading for inspo on the ultimate South African-inspired supper club!
1. Curate the perfect cocktail menu
The key to making your festive get-together a roaring success, is finding a few simple cocktail recipes that still look and taste special and indulgent. So we’ve picked out three of our favourite Amarula cocktails that are guaranteed to wow your guests.
Even just the sight of the Amarula Red Velvet cake will have your friends feeling festive. Brilliant red in colour and bold in flavour, it’s a great one to kick off the evening. And when you need that little kick of caffeine, the Amarula Espresso Martini is the perfect pick me up, whether that’s before dinner or somewhere in the middle! Just shake Amarula, espresso and Amarula Gin over ice – a little dash of chilli syrup is a lovely twist if you want to make it extra special!
For another super simple yet showstopping after-dinner drink, we suggest the uniquely South African, Amarula Don Pedro. Made by blending Amarula, double cream, and ice cream with ice, this sumptuous cocktail puts the unique flavour of Amarula centre stage.
2. Serve some delicious, shareable dishes
There are so many tasty and simple, yet effective dishes you should put on the table at your South African-themed festive get-together. But we’ve pulled together just a few suggestions to give you some inspo on your menu. It’s always good to have something on the table for people to graze on whilst they sip their Amarula cocktails, and these Piri Piri Prawns with cashew nut and Amarula butter are easy to make and packed with flavour. These could be served with some flatbreads and a creamy Amarula infused hummus to dip into.
For the main, a traditional South African Babotie is the ultimate warming and comforting dish for a cosy, wintery night in. And to make life super simple for yourself, why not also cook a one-tray dessert that you can prepare ahead of time? A sweet, moist South African malva pudding would pair perfectly with a drizzle of Amarula on top.
3. Create a cosy, festive vibe
When it comes to creating a nice ambiance and setting the table, a little really does go a long way. The first thing to address is the lighting arrangement, and you can create a warm inviting glow with fairy lights and candles. South Africa’s national flower, the King Protea, placed in clear vases would add a lovely splash of colour to the table. From Marabi to amapiano, you can find the perfect Spotify playlist to suit your vibe. And if you’re willing to go the extra mile, you could even get some special printed napkins!
