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Coca-Cola is a corporate champion of the NCAA.
For some, basketball season is about the big games, the reemergence of their favorite teams, and the rekindling of old rivalries. For me, however, with each passing year it becomes more and more about planning out parties, and playing host to friends and family as they gather to cheer on their chosen heroes. As I have mentioned before, my family, and most of my friends, are sports devotees, and so it makes for a nice balance, as I don’t mind playing the doting host.
One of the first things I remember learning about hosting an event is that one of the key elements to success is tailoring the setting to one’s guests, and this is just as true for relaxed gatherings as it is for formal ones. It’s very much the same sort of balancing act as when you’re pairing food with the right wine. From that point, pulling off a successful evening is simply a matter of patience and execution.
It was with that in mind that I decided to make something special out of the upcoming game party I was due to host. I of course wanted to create a nice evening, but without making my guests feel as if they had to divide their attention between the game, admittedly the real star of the night, and whatever I had prepared for them. In essence, I wanted to play my setting off of the game, and allow them to complement rather than compete with one another.
For starters, I wanted to serve something that was both substantial enough to be an entrée, while at the same time ‘simple’ enough to double as ‘fun’ food. At the same time, I wanted to serve a couple of specially made drinks.
As I do my best thinking on the fly, I made a quick preliminary list, and headed off to Walmart. It wasn’t long after arriving that I noticed a big, impossible to miss display featuring Coca-Cola NCAA® Final Four Pack, in Cherry, Vanilla, and Zero available at Walmart. NCAA® themed coke, in four flavors, just as I was planning out a NCAA® March Madness party. Yes, sometimes stars do align.
My ‘preliminary list’ essentially built itself from there. First, I would make a few trays of spicy drumsticks, using the Cherry Coke to put a subtle but still unmistakable sweet-and-spicy twist on the familiar dish. Served vender-style on trays with parchment paper, alongside a sweet and savory Vanilla Coke based dipping sauce, the drumsticks would be just hardy enough to be satisfying, while still being practical finger food to eat over a game.
However, I still wanted to make at least one special drink, but I wanted to keep it fun, unusual, and to be a sort of star in and of itself, rather than just an accompaniment to the drumsticks. With that mind, I decided to make the drink an after dinner event, mixing Cherry Cola with vanilla ice cream for a classic coke float, something my brothers in particular were certain to enjoy.
All in all, the night should be an excellent success. Now that I’ve told you my plans for NCAA® March Madness, what are some of your plans? How are you going to ‘make an event out of the event’ so to speak?
Coca Cola Cherry Drumsticks Cherry Cream Float
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
Ingredients
Drumsticks:
- 1 can of cherry coca cola
- 1/2 cup duck sauce
- 2 cloves of garlic - crushed and chopped
- 1/2 tsp. ground fresh chili paste
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 2 tbs. lemon juice
- 6 - 8 drumsticks
Dipping Sauce:
- 1/4 cup vanilla coke
- 2 tbs. lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp. ground fresh chili paste
- 1 tbs. lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/2 can (6 oz) Coca Cola Cherry
- 2 scoops desired ice cream (I used homemade vanilla with crushed chocolate candy pieces)
- Maraschino cherries for garnish
Instructions
Drumsticks:
- Preheat Oven 350 degrees:
- Place the drumsticks in a bowl: add all of the other ingredients into the bowl and toss. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour or more.
- Place the drumsticks in a baking dish along with the marinade.
- Bake for 50 – 60 minutes until a nice golden color is achieved and the juices run clear.
- Remove from oven and place on a serving platter; pour the remaining juices over the chicken.
Dipping Sauce:
- Combine all of the above in a food processor and process.
- Serve along with the Cherry Cola Chicken.
- Pour 6 oz. Coca Cola Cherry in a glass. Scoop ice cream on top and top with cherries.
- Serve cold and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
Enjoy with Love,
Catherine
xo
Dottie Sauchelli-Balin says
Dear Catherine,
What a great party, for March Madness...I think I may have to stop by and swipe a piece of that yummy coca cola cherry drumsticks and have to drink that float. Wow! The float looks awesome, as well as your drumsticks. I really do not know much about March Madness, as my brother, dad, and my nephews are into it all. But I do know about food and your menu is spectacular! Thanks for sharing, have to try your recipes, especially that float...Hope that your week is a blessed one...
Dottie 🙂
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
OMG, I love what you have done with the cherry coke. I really don't drink soda anymore EXCEPT when with alcohol so your drink is perfect, but the chicken looks utterly amazing.
nico says
Cola chicken is great! Great recipe, it had to be delicious!
http://www.frcheap.com
allie@Through Her Looking Glass says
What a winning Cherry Coke combination... the drumsticks and Cherry & Rum Cream drink look amazing. March Madness can't some soon enough, thanks for some great inspiration!
Susie Gall says
Both recipes are so creative and fun, Catherine. My family loves Cherry Coke and I know your floats would be a huge hit. Your chicken looks and sounds amazing - I especially love the addition of chili paste with lemon. Great balance of flavors with a kick. Great job!!
Susie Gall says
I LOVE both of these flavor-filled recipes and would loved to be invited to your next party:-) Terrific job, Catherine!
Annalisa B says
Excellent preparation, really good!
a hug!
Beauty Follower says
This looks so delicious!
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pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says
Best use of coke ever!!!
Ginny Hartzler says
Everything looks SO good! And that float!!! I think I will print it. I love seeing you buying the ingredients. I get both shopping and recipes!
Comedy Plus says
Sounds yummy. What an interesting blend of ingredients.
I would hold the rum though. I'll go alcohol free and be very happy.
Have a fabulous day. Big hugs. ♥♥♥
Big Daddy Dave says
Catherine, Sounds and looks like a great drumstick recipe! I'm not really a rum lover but with this pretty dessert, I could go for it. My better half would love it! Thanks and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Stephanie Stuart says
Going to have to noms on that chicken for sure! delicious!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
Oh wow, I would sit there and watch basketball ALL DAY for some of this!
Betty says
I don't drink sodas much anymore, but I do indulge in a Coca Cola now and then as a treat. Your drumsticks are a creative way of using the flavored ones- they sound delicious!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Hello delicious drink and drumsticks! Both so delicious looking...can I have both for a midnight snack? 🙂
Medeja says
These drumsticks look so good! I wish I could find cherry coca cola here!
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says
We have used cola to slow cook Barbacoa Roast for salads but haven't tired it with chicken. This looks fabulous, saving and sharing and look forward to making this one!
Sandra says
Okay you need to come to the COKE capitol here!
Kristin says
This float sounds AMAZING!! I've seen a few alcoholic floats around lately and I think it's genius!! If you're interested, I'm doing a linkup today and every Thursday called Thursty Thursday! I would love it if you stopped by and linked up this recipe! It's perfect!
swathi says
Looks delicious, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning.
Laura@ Baking in Pyjamas says
Those cherry cola chicken drumsticks sound delicious, I'd love to have some right this minute! This has been featured as one of my favourites over at Sweet and Savoury Sunday. Stop by, grab a button and link up again with us this week. Have a great day!