Skating party menu: Hot drinks and hearty food

Ice skating is a fantastic way to put the brakes on winter blues. The combination of fresh air, exercise and fun is guaranteed to boost the mood of all on the rink. And because a robust skating session is bound to work up an appetite, we suggest you keep the good times rolling and throw an après skating party this winter. Nothing fancy is required and make-ahead is preferred. Here’s our idea of a perfect skating-party menu. (Oh, and we suggest you make this a monthly affair until the first buds of spring appear.)

The first thing you’ll want to do is warm up your crowd from the inside out. Reward the adults with a campfire coffee cocktail – a splash of bourbon, a dash of chocolate and a topper of boozy whipped cream. Yum. The junior league can have classic hot chocolates, which they’ll love even more when topped with homemade 10-minute marshmallows.

Beat the immediate munchies with a bowl of fresh salsa verde (both the classic version and the guacamole variation) and a bowl of chips.

But to really satisfy post-workout hunger, try our super fast chili recipe, which is ideal as you can make it in the slow-cooker beforehand. Or try our incredible ravioli lasagna with sausage and mushrooms. Both would be nicely complemented with a few fresh baguettes.

For dessert, try our 10-minute tiramisu. It’s so easy and serves eight.

Happy skating!