TK-LA Community Nights- Raclette and Mulled Wine
TK-LA Community Gatherings: Raclette Night
Raclette and Mulled Wine — our little trip to the Swiss Alps, right in the backyard. Baby, it was cold outside, but the fire was going, the mulled wine was warm, and the raclette melted perfectly over potatoes and all the fixings.
I served a few small bites alongside the raclette, and we had the BBQ going in the background with some meats, adding to the cozy, relaxed feeling of the night.
Simple, cozy, and memorable — the kind of community evening I love creating.
Create Your Own Raclette Night
Raclette is one of the easiest gatherings to host because the meal itself becomes the activity. All you need is warm cheese, potatoes, and a few small sides for everyone to share.
If you don't have a raclette machine, melting the cheese under the broiler in a casserole dish works perfectly — just bring it out and let everyone serve themselves. The key is making sure guests are ready to eat while the cheese is still hot, especially if you're dining outdoors.
Setting the Mood
If the weather isn't too cold, host the evening outside with a small fire going near the seating area. I opted for a cozy, intimate setup by our lounge area.
To make the space feel extra warm and inviting, I leaned into the winter atmosphere — string lights overhead, stacks of firewood for decoration, and sheepskin seat covers I found at IKEA years ago draped over a few chairs. A few lanterns placed around the sitting area for light and decor! A market tote filled with winter blankets sat nearby for guests to grab if they got cold.
When guests arrived, I made sure the mulled wine was already warm, so everyone could gather outside and immediately feel cozy.
On the table, I set up a cheese plate with French and Swiss cheeses, fig jam, nuts, warm olives and a vegetable platter with caramelized onion dip. Once everyone arrived, I started passing around the raclette.
The aesthetic comes more from the surroundings than the table itself — the cold weather, the fire pit, blankets, pillows, and soft lighting. It's about creating a mood without going all out — simple and tasteful.
Setting the Table
With a small grazing table, I kept everything simple so there was enough room for plates and serving dishes. A few candles were enough for the evening — the firelight and string lights did most of the work.
Nothing formal, just cozy and practical.
Menu
MAIN
Raclette cheese
Boiled potatoes
Salami
Caramelized red onions
Bread
Optional additions:
Steamed asparagus, broccoli, vegetable of choice
SIDES
Cornichons
Cheese plate
Fig jam
Dried fruit
Roasted herb nuts
Warm marinated olives
Green salad
Little bites
Variety of frozen appetizers (Trader Joe's works great)
Drinks:
Mulled Wine - I love the one from Trader Joe's (seasonal)
Red Wine Raclette pairs best with lighter, easy-drinking reds. Because the cheese is very rich, you want wines with good acidity and softer tannins to balance everything.
For the evening, you can't go wrong with:
Pinot Noir — always a crowd-pleaser and perfect with melted cheese
Beaujolais — bright, fruity, and very food-friendly
Côtes du Rhône — soft, warm, and easy for a winter gathering
*If you prefer to stay closer to the Alpine tradition, look for wines from Savoie or Valais, which are often served with raclette in Switzerland and the French Alps
After Dinner Drinks
Schnapps, Hot Chocolate, tea or coffee
Dessert:
To end the evening, I served a warm apple tart, something comforting after a raclette dinner. I made Eyeswoon's Cardamon Cognac Apple Cake. Click here for directions.
We finished the night with schnapps, hot tea, and hot chocolate, lingering by the fire a little longer. A small glass of schnapps is traditional after raclette — the perfect way to end the meal.
More than anything, the goal is for everyone to feel comfortable enough to linger. A warm drink in hand, a relaxed table, and a cozy outdoor setting make the night feel like a little escape to the mountains.
Music:
Playlist for the night: Raclette Night
From The Store: The Curated Shop
A range of carefully curated old & new products for you to host your next dinner. More products to come!
RECIPES:
Everything is pretty simple for this dinner: boil the potatoes, steam the vegetables if using, slice the salami, caramelize the red onions (thinly sliced and sautéed), and cut up the bread. If you don't have a raclette machine, place everything in a casserole dish when ready, layer the cheese on top, and broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve immediately.
Mulled Wine (if you want to do your own) Serves 6–8
Ingredients
1 bottle red wine (Merlot, Zinfandel, or any medium-bodied red)
1 orange, sliced
3 tbsp honey or sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
3 whole cloves
2 star anise (optional)
1 cup water
Optional: 2 oz brandy
Instructions
In a pot, combine the water, orange slices, honey, and spices.
Simmer gently for about 10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
Add the wine and warm on low heat for another 10–15 minutes.
Do not boil — just keep it hot.
Add brandy if using and taste for sweetness.
Serve warm with an orange slice or cinnamon stick.