These peppery radish appetizers on cream cheese are a light and refreshing spring appetizer and they pair beautifully with a citrus Vodka Collins. They also work beautifully as finger food for a casual afternoon tea.
Radishes are one of the first vegetables ready in the garden, making this an ideal way to celebrate Earth Day or any early spring gathering. Both recipes come together in minutes with no cooking required.
Quick Summary: Peppery radish slices on cream cheese and butter make a light, crunchy appetizer perfect for spring. Pair with a citrus Vodka Collins for an easy Earth Day or spring porch celebration. No cooking required. Prep: 15 min | Serves: 4
Jump to: RECIPE | Vodka Collins Directions | FAQ
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How to Make a Citrus Vodka Collins
This riff on a vodka collins was created in honor of Earth Day (see video below for the hands-on tutorial). To me, a refreshing cocktail means effervescence (bubbles in other words), and I really like the slight bitterness of tonic, so this citrusy version of a vodka collins is the drink that pairs wonderfully with the freshness of Spring.
Ingredients: (Recipe is in ratios so you can make a pitcher or one drink)
- 2 parts Lemon Vodka
- 1 part simple syrup (infused with cinnamon & vanilla if possible)
- 1/2 part Limoncello
- 1 large lemon wedge
- 4 parts tonic water
Preparation: (see video at the end of this post for a how-to tutorial, or just follow these easy directions)
- Fill a tall glass with ice (spherical ice molds make a great “earth-shaped” ice cube)
- Add the vodka, the syrup, the Limoncello. Squeeze in the lemon juice from the wedge. Add the tonic water
- Stir gently until well mixed
- Garnish with a lemon wheel and/or a sprig of mint leaves.
For Earth Day, add a bit of fun with these sphere-shaped ice molds.
How to Make Radish Cream Cheese Appetizers
Full recipe for the radish appetizers is in the recipe card below.
More Spring Recipes:
Another May celebration that calls for appetizers and cocktails is the Kentucky Derby! Check out these Mint Juleps and Cheese Straws for your Kentucky Derby party.
Want to Make your own shrub syrups and simple syrups for signature cocktails? Check out this post on Mixology and explore!
Don’t like to imbibe? Have your fresh appetizers with one of these healthy green teas.
FAQ
For a non-alcoholic option, pair these appetizers with green tea or sparkling water with lemon. The light, fresh flavors complement the peppery radish and creamy cheese.
Prepare the cream cheese mixture up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate. Slice radishes and assemble the appetizers within an hour of serving so the bread stays fresh.
Soft white bread or pumpernickel both work well. The key is using bread that’s sturdy enough to hold the topping but soft enough to bite through easily. Remove crusts for a cleaner presentation.
Radish Cream Cheese Appetizer
Equipment
- Mandolin (optional) Or sharp knife
- small bowl
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp butter 1/2 stick (softened)
- 4 oz cream cheese Softened
- 5 medium radish thinly sliced
- 2-4 Tbsp scallions or chives minced
- salt to taste optional
- 2 slices bread soft white bread or pumpernickle bread is good
Instructions
- Leave the butter and cream cheese on the counter for a while to soften (do not melt the butter – let it soften on its own)4 Tbsp butter, 4 oz cream cheese
- In a small bowl, cream together the soften butter and cream cheese
- Slice the radishes as thinly as possible (a mandolin works well here, but you can do it by hand also). Mince the green onion or chives into small pieces. Cut the crusts off of the bread slices and cut slices into small rectangles.5 medium radish, 2-4 Tbsp scallions or chives, salt to taste, 2 slices bread
- Assemble the appetizer: spread the butter mixture thickly on the bread, add 3 radish slices, sprinkle with chopped green onion, and arrange in a geometric pattern for fun.
Video
Notes
- 2 parts Lemon Vodka
- 1 part simple syrup
- 1/2 part Limoncello
- 1 large lemon wedge
- 4 parts tonic water
- Fill a tall glass with ice (spherical ice molds make a great “earth-shaped” ice cube)
- Add the vodka, the syrup, the Limoncello. Squeeze in the lemon juice from the wedge. Add the tonic water
- Stir gently until well mixed
- Garnish with a lemon wheel and/or a sprig of mint leaves.
Nutrition
Enjoy!!!
Looks really refreshing.
Happy Earth Day!
To you also Michael!!
Love the look of that Earth Day Vodka Collins! Got to get the ingredients and try it ?
Yes, it was a good one! The recipe is with blackberry syrup, but the photo was done with a citrus syrup. Just an fyi
What kind of bread did you use? You didn’t actually mention bread in the ingredients.
Yes, this was an old post that I updated (so it was pre-low carb days). I can’t remember the bread I used, but with the crisp radishes I would probably use a soft white bread of some sort or a rich, high-fat bread like brioche.
These all look amazing! Thanks for sharing 🙂
And thank YOU for commenting Josh.