Friends with Benedicts: How to Host a Friendsgiving Brunch

Google “friendsgiving” and you’ll get just under 3 million results. Look at your Facebook newsfeed or email inbox and you’ll also also get about 3 million results.

Friendsgiving is on CRACK this year, and my cereal-for-dinner husband and I have somehow found ourselves as hosts of ours {hope you remember to eat beforehand, friends}. The thought of cooking a turkey for 22 people is giving me anxiety actual heart palpitations {please send help/any and all advice}, and I’m realizing if we had been a logical couple, we would have planned a Friendsgiving brunch instead. All the fun and booze, minus the meat.

So for those of you smarter than me, here’s a recipe for hosting the perfect Friendsgiving Brunch::

One part gold, two parts greenery //
Hey, if the food is bad, they can at least talk about the decor. This Friendsgiving tablescape and centerpiece could not have been easier to make. Copper-spray painted pinecones {which will definitely be doubling as holiday garland later}, tiered candles, and greenery laid flat – no need to even glue together; simply tuck the branches into one another.

If you’re able to find mini white pumpkins, please throw in a few of those so that I may life vicariously through yours #screwyouTraderJoes #planB.

As much as I care about the environment, I have to cheat a little here with plastic + paper plates for my own sanity {but rinse + recycle!}. And I couldn’t resist this rose gold flatware. Placecards are from Rifle Paper Co. and calligraphy-d with this rose gold pen. My gorgeous Gold Anchor Corkscrew is c/o Grenville Society and has obviously already gotten a nice workout.

One part juice, two parts bubbles //
Uh, yes, duh I’ve been stocking up on 90+ Cellars Prosecco for the holidays. From your own entertaining endeavors to hostess gifts, this prosecco is a perfect price point for serving + giving. In the spirit of brunch, I put it to work in these cranberry mimosas. No need to add sugar to your homemade juice – the rosemary simple syrup takes care of that sweetness and pairs perfectly with the crisp sparking wine.

Cranmerry Mimosas
Serves 8

{ingredients}

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 rosemary sprigs
• 1 12-oz bag of cranberries
• 1 bottle 90+ Cellars Lot 50 Prosecco

{instructions}
To make the rosemary simple syrup // Bring 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan; add sugar and stir until dissolved. Add rosemary sprigs and continue boiling for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; let infuse for at least one hour to capture flavor. Strain, discarding the rosemary sprigs.

To make the cranberry juice // Bring 16oz water to a boil. Add cranberries, stirring occasionally until berries pop. Lower heat and let simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Using a fine mesh strainer, strain juice and discard berries.

To make the mimosa // In a champagne flute, layer 2 oz cranberry juice over 1 oz simple syrup. Use a cocktail stirrer to combine. Top with Prosecco, and garnish with a rosemary sprig.

One part fruit, three parts cinnamon //
Whenever my mother makes her pies {NOT the ones for sale, promise Mom!!}, I love sneaking a few bites of the sugary fruit filling before it’s added to the crust. I mean it is basically a fruit, salad, no? She turned her famous filling into a yummy spiced fall fruit salad for me, and now you too::

Pie Filling Fruit Salad
Serves 6

{ingredients}

• 3 apples
• 2 pears
• 1/2 cup pecan halves
• 1/4 cup 90+ Cellars Lot 126 Sancerre Wine
• Nutmeg and cinnamon to taste

{instructions}

Toast pecan halves and set aside to cool. Slice {but do not peel!} the apples and pears. Add to medium-size fruit bowl; splash with wine {you may not need full 1/4 cup} and sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg to taste. Just before serving, sprinkle with toasted pecans.

I also put the mister to work making these Cinnamon Crunch Bagel Bombs – just remove the peanut butter + double the cream cheese.

So whether you’ve already volunteered or are looking ahead to next year, remember a Friendsgiving brunch is the way to go.

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Full disclosure: This post was created in partnership with 90+ Cellars. Thank you for supporting the brands that support shell chic’d!