Imagine with us: You’re throwing your first holiday cocktail party in what is actually years. You’re not really sure how to socialize again and you start spiraling (welcome to the club!). Then you watch your guests start gravitating to the bar and something changes. Your bestie pours a cup of punch for someone they just met, two acquaintances bond over a shared secret (they’re just here for the food), and a characteristically quiet friend is suddenly regaling a small crowd with stories of holidays past. Look at that: You’re hosting! Listen, we get it. Diving back into the festive spirit feels weird after such a looooong hiatus, which is why we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Read on for our favorite cocktail party menus.
TBH, the party is still going
Sometimes the party spills over into the next day, which is what inspired this hair-of-the-dog menu. It begins with the necessary carbs to soften the blow of last night’s decisions. We’re talking salty-sweet scones that balance caramelly dates with funky Gorgonzola and curried egg tartines that your guests can assemble themselves once they roll out of bed. But the star of this menu picks up where the party left off: a celery and salted lemon vodka soda anchored by the most ridiculous (and fortifying) garnish—whatever tinned seafood you have (mussels, boquerones), pickled chiles, a cube of Manchego, and a big lemon wedge. Ah, the holidays.
My family is “just dropping by”
Sometimes your people come around unannounced and hungry and you need to get it together fast (i.e., before Aunt Mabel starts giving everyone her unsolicited opinions). The key to unlocking this off-the-cuff intimacy is a festive (and bottomless) punch paired with satisfying snacks that come together while everyone’s milling around the kitchen watching you cook: a maple-za’atar kettle corn and a burbling skillet of French-onion-soup-inspired dip.
I just wanna chill with my number-ones
If having just a few friends over is more your speed, we got you. Not every cocktail party needs to be boisterous or even boozy. Instead, invite your pod (remember those?!) or a few folks you haven’t been able to spend enough time with for a cozy gathering. Catch up and stay clearheaded throughout the night with this zero-proof spiced blood orange shrub (but if you want a little something-something, just add 1.5 ounces of vodka or whiskey to each glass). Here we’re taking things slow, sinking into conversations we’ve missed, snacking on fried olives and meaty skewers, and letting the night guide us.
