We’re officially in November, entering the party season and scouring Asos for some new clothes with a hint of glamour for the festive period. It’s time to step up our hosting game and have our friends over (because you know, it’s way too cold to leave the house).
Rekorderlig got in touch with me and asked if I’d like to host my own Swedish dinner party and show what types of food I’d pair the different flavours with. Now, there’s a certain art to Swedish dinner parties so I’m going to talk you through the rules first.
Swedish Dinner Party Rules & Etiquette
- Never arrive even one minute early, if the party starts at 7pm, then arrive between 7:00 and 7:15.
- Don’t sit with your partner – the whole point of a Swedish dinner party is to meet people.
- Don’t sit immediately – whatever you do, stay standing until the host or hostess says to sit.
- Placement of a napkin is crucial – on your lap only, never around the neck or down a shirt – and should always be placed to the left of your plate.
- Never refuse food. Some people have special dietary requirements, and they should call ahead and alert the hosts. But they should never ever refuse food. If something particularly ghastly is served up, one should taste a tiny little bit and then tell the hosts that you’re not so hungry.
- Get your cheers right – don not touch your drinks until you’re told. The host will usually make a toast with a glass of white wine. Not until then should you even touch your drink. Look to the person on your right and say “cheers” or “ska!” and take a sip.
Flavours of Cider
Rekorderlig has always been my cider of choice. It’s refreshing, effortlessly balanced and pure. An amazing quality taste that you will receive time and time again. Usually the drink I will opt for when I’m dining out or at a social gathering. I truly think it is super refreshing and a great choice for anyone.
Strawberry-Lime (4%) flavour perfectly embodies a Swedish summer with the authentic flavour of freshly picked strawberries. It tastes best served cold over ice with a squeeze of lime and fresh mint. It has a sweet finish with a medium body and goes best with balsamic chicken and berry cheesecake.
Wild Berries (4%) flavour is a fresh and juicy cider with the flavour and fragrance of wild blueberries and raspberries. It is a medium body and is pale pink with a mild carbonation. It is a fruity and sweet cider and goes best with shrimp and brie!
A seasonal favourite, Spiced Plum cider (4%) has flavours of plums, cherries and a mix of spices including cloves and cinnamon. It is a rich and fruity experience, it can be served hot or cold and best served with an orange. It is a beautiful deep purple colour and is spicy, warm and fruity. It is suggested to be paired with duck and gingerbread.
The Passionfruit (4%) flavour has the fragrance of ripe passionfruit and an intense tropical flavour, I like it best over ice with lime. It is light bodied, refreshing and crisp with a tropical, tangy and slightly zesty taste. It is best paired with salmon and white chocolate (maybe not both in the same dish though…)
Last but not least, my favourite. Mango-Raspberry (4%). Rekorderlig mango-raspberry cider is sweet and tropical with the intense fragrance and flavour of ripe mango with a hint of wild raspberries. It’s light pink and a medium body with a tropical, zesty and fruity taste. It goes best with smokey pulled pork and creamy cheese – two of my favourite foods!
The Food
For this dinner party, I decided to cook a few different things for the four of us. A white chocolate and berry cheesecake, Swedish meatballs, Smørrebrød (an open sandwich) and camembert with lingonberry dip. I chose these options due to the food pairings as I wanted my food to compliment the cider, and ensure that everything was a great tasting experience. It’s important that drinks are not an afterthought when it comes to food, they should compliment each other nicely and if paired right, the drink will bring out the flavour in the food.
For the white chocolate and berry cheesecake, I made the cheesecake (recipe here) and added fruit and drizzled melted white chocolate over the top. Simple, right? Paired with either Mango-Raspberry or Passionfruit Rekorderlig.
You can find the Swedish meatball recipe here. A classic, staple paired with mashed potato or chips – no Ikea trips needed.
For the Smørrebrød I opted for avocado and tomato, cheese and prosciutto and then mozzarella and tomato. Focusing on the creamy cheese to bring out the taste of the Mango-Raspberry flavour. I loved this course, it acted as my starter and I cut all of the sandwiches up so my guests could have a taste from each. It went down a storm! 
The camembert with lingonberry dip was breaded mini camemberts and I found the lingonberry dip (sort of like jam) in my local supermarket. Such an easy course but it was a lovely one! Paired with Passionfruit Rekorderlig.
So, when will you be hosting your own Swedish inspired dinner party? Let me know your favourite flavour of Rekorderlig in the comments below. Mine is Mango-Raspberry!
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