(NAPSA)—Perfect food and drink pairings are main ingredients in planning gatherings of any size. The art of combining cool cocktails with amazing appetizers that create a symphonyof flavors as they mix and mingle in your mouth...it’s like a party for your palate. With the following tips, you'll have everything you need to impress the most discerning guests. Create a theme: Incorporate versatile ingredients, such as cranberries, into multiple courses to create a theme that will surprise and delight guests. Think through the meal: For the menu, weigh how the different colors, textures, flavors and temperatures of the dishes will combine, keeping in mind their presentation on theplate. *Balance flavors: Consider mixing and matching opposing tastes to create uniquely balanced flavor profiles, such as salty with sweet. Cut the richnessof a pastry or dessert with the refreshing crispnessof a sparkling cocktail or mocktail. Remember presentation: When setting the table, pairing casual and formal arrangements will blend sophistication with personalization. Showcase homemade centerpieces and the children’s crafts among your finest silver and dinnerware for a true representation of your home. Perfect Pairing Suggestions *Kick off the evening with Cranberry Shrimp Cocktail paired with the Cranberry Gin Fizz. *Go full on flavor with Beef Empanadas with Cranberries paired with Cranberry Lime Sparklers. *Round out the final course with Outrageous Chocolate Cran- Treat guests to a perfect pairing of a Cosmopolitan joined with Sizzling Bacon-Wrapped Apricots with Cranberry Glaze. berry Fudge Cake paired with Cranberry Mimosas. For more party-planningtips, perfect pairings and recipe demos, just visit www.oceanspray.com, www.facebook.com/oceanspray, www.twitter.com/oceansprayinc and www.youtube.com/oceanspray or call Ocean Spray’s Consumer Help Line at (800) 662-3263. Sizzling Bacon-Wrapped Apricots with Cranberry Glaze (Makes 24 appetizers) Ingredients: 1% cups Ocean Spray 100% Juice Cranberry Blend 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water % teaspoon whole-grain mustard 1% teaspoons packed brown sugar % teaspoon ground nutmeg 12 slices maple-cured bacon, halved crosswise 24 dried apricots Directions: Boil cranberry juice in medium saucepan over high heat until reduced to 1 cup. Whisk in cornstarch, mustard, brown sugar and nutmeg. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil 1 minute until thickened. Cool to room temperature. Reserve % cup of the glaze. Meanwhile, line rimmed baking sheet with foil; set wire rack over foil and spray with cooking spray. Wrap bacon halves around apricots and secure with wooden pick. Brush with glaze and place on wire rack. Broil 3 to 7 minutes or until bacon is browned, turning once. Serve warm with reserved glaze.
