Big Moments

Sip and snack your way through the festive season

Spice up Christmas with Warren Mendes’ DIY bar snacks, perfect to share with prosecco and beers at a party and as a tasty gift from the kitchen, too.

Read Time 3 Minutes

By First Choice Liquor Market

Looking for a recipe for homemade spiced nuts to serve at all those celebrations throughout the festive season? Or maybe you’re in search of an easy edible gift to put under the Christmas tree. Warren answers the call with this simple but delicious DIY bar snack. “Once my secret recipe, now my gift to you,” says Warren. “Every December, I make a batch of these spiced Christmas nuts, and they get split into gifts and snacks. They’re a brilliant accompaniment to crisp bubbles and an ice-cold beer.” Store the nut mix in an airtight container at room temperature, so it’s ready to go when unexpected guests drop in. To turn it into a gift, Warren says to scoop it into a nice glass jar and decorate with rustic twine and a gift tag.

How to make a DIY Bar Snack

Ingredients (Serves 8-10 as a snack):

500g raw unsalted mixed nuts

60mL honey

60mL extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp chilli flakes

½ tsp ground nutmeg

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp mixed spice

¼ tsp ground cloves

¼ tsp ground cardamom

2 tsp sea salt flakes

1 tbs chopped rosemary

2 tbs brown sugar

Method:

Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced). Line a baking tray with baking paper. Spread the nuts over the prepared tray.
Place the honey in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for about 10 seconds to loosen. Pour honey and olive oil over the nuts and toss to coat well.
Sprinkle over the chilli, nutmeg, cinnamon, mixed spice, cloves, cardamom, salt, rosemary and sugar and toss until well combined and the nuts are completely coated in the spices.
Roast, tossing halfway through cooking, for 15 mins. Set aside on the tray to cool before serving. Store in an airtight container in a cool and dry place for up to 2 weeks.

Every bar snack needs the right drinks

Just like Warren’s snack recipe, Japanese beer is a sure-fire crowd pleaser for any party, so pick up a slab of Orion The Draft cans. Crisp and mild with a rich, creamy foam, it’s just what s. Prosecco is famous as a perfect snack partner, so stock up on Sensi Prosecco DOC 18K Gold for the wine drinkers. Dry and refreshing, these easy-drinking Italian bubbles come in an extra-festive gold bottle which also makes them ideal for Christmas gifting – again, just like the snack.