(NAPSI)—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 symphony of 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 the plate.

Balance flavors: Consider mixing and matching opposing tastes to create uniquely balanced flavor profiles, such as salty with sweet. Cut the richness of a pastry or dessert with the refreshing crispness of 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 childrens 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 Cranberry Fudge Cake paired with Cranberry Mimosas.

For more party-planning tips, 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 Sprays 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.

Treat guests to a perfect pairing of a Cosmopolitan joined with Sizzling Bacon-Wrapped Apricots with Cranberry Glaze.

On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate(NAPSI)