Food & Party: Oktoberfest in Ocean Beach

This past weekend was the annual O.B. (Ocean Beach) Oktoberfest, San Diego, CA. The event started Friday October 12th, 2012 and went into Saturday October 13th, 2012.

http://www.oboktoberfest.com/

Friday night I had a few friends over for Crockpot Hard Apple Cider before the Oktoberfest. I made the hard cider around 2pm and cooked it all day in the crock pot. It made my apartment smell wonderful. Once my friends came over and tried the hard cider, they loved it. It was the perfect drink to warm us up!

Crockpot Hard Apple Cider

Ingredients

4 cups apple cider

1/2 cup rum or brandy

1 cinnamon stick broken up or a tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. allspice and 1 tsp. nutmeg

2 tbsp. honey

peel of 1/2 lemon (or mulling spice tea bag)

Directions

Mix apple cider, brandy, spices & honey into the crockpot. Peel lemon zest from 1/2 of lemon peel (or mulling spice tea bag) and place into the crockpot. Cook on low for 5-6 hours.

  

The finished product - a delightful crowd pleasing rum cocktail.

When we arrived at OB Oktoberfest the band Hitman Honey (an 80's tribute band) was on stage. Our group knew all the songs and had a great time singing along while enjoying the live music. Not to mention, the beer garden was a great spot for people watching! Which is one of my favorite past times...

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Saturday afternoon I had a mini brunch with a few friends over before going to Oktoberfest. I made Pumpkin Muffins, Apple Pear Sparkling Cider Champagne and Blood Orange Mimosas.

Pumpkin Muffins

Ingredients

1 box yellow cake mix (super moist)

1 (15oz) can of pumpkin

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. nutmeg

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix cake mix, can of pumpkin and spices in a medium sized bowl. Add mixture into each lined muffin tray.  Cook for 20min. depending on size of muffins. Let cool & enjoy! Another option: Add cream cheese frosting or a little cinnamon & sugar on top.

The champagne drinks and mimosas are very easy to make just add the juice mixer of your choice.

The champagne brunch was a perfect start to our day. Below is a picture of us enjoying the festival.

Saturday evening we went left Oktoberfest to go to the beach for the AMAZING sunset. I am so grateful to live near the beach!

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Connie also made the pumpkin muffins recently for Bunco and everyone loves them!
She likes to use Spice Cake Mix & the can of pumpkin.
Connie said, "I told my friends the easy two ingredient recipe at Bunco and already 3 people have made it."
They are so easy to make and delicious!!
 

Until I blog again, Xoxo, Jenn