This season, I’m teaming up with The Collective Book Studio to share a three-part blog series featuring seasonal cocktail and appetizer pairings—one for each remaining month of the season.

To kick it off, we are celebrating the art of slowing down with a little midweek magic: a fall-inspired cocktail from the beautiful book, Wednesday Night Wine Down by Jennifer Newens, and a simple, yet elegant cheese and fruit board inspired by my cookbook, The Modern Hippie Table.

Jennifer’s book offers a fresh take on low-alcohol cocktails designed to help you unwind midweek without overindulging—because, let’s face it, we all need a Wednesday reset. The drink I fell in love with from her fall collection is the White Sangria, a crisp, golden blend that feels like sunshine filtered through amber leaves. It combines buttery Chardonnay, Lillet Blanc, and peach liqueur, balanced with a hint of lemon juice and layered with juicy stone fruits like nectarines and peaches—those fleeting treasures of late summer that Jennifer says she’s savoring before they vanish from the market.

To pair with this golden-hued sip, I created a fall-themed charcuterie board. This one is all about warm tones and simple abundance: creamy cheeses, rustic crackers, and the same stone fruits found in Jennifer’s sangria, surrounded by amber-colored country roses for a soft, seasonal touch. It’s proof that gathering beautifully doesn’t need to be complicated—it just needs intention and a little creativity.

Together, these two recipes make for the perfect girls’ night in—a relaxed way to connect, laugh, and find a little joy in the middle of the week.

Download the recipe for the White Sangria here.