How to Host a Holiday Cocktail Party (With Cocktail Party Recipes!)

From hot mulled wine and bubbly spritzers to creamy cheese dips and grilled oysters, we’ve gathered up all our favorite cocktail party essentials. Whether you are hosting a New Year’s bash or simply sipping at home, there is sure to be a drink or a cocktail party appetizer to please everyone.

So you’ve finished binging your favorite 60’s drama (hellooo Mad Men) and now you’re ready to host your very own cocktail party. Hooray! We’ve got you covered from the drinks to the best cocktail party recipe ideas.

Cocktail Party Planning

You need to make sure you balance time with guests and time to socialize during the event. So plan your menu with just a couple of each items.

First things first: booze. So that you actually have time to talk to your guests (and not just be the bartender) we recommend choosing 2-3 cocktails and pre-mixing them in pitchers or carafes. Try picking:

• 1 drink with a light liquor (gin, vodka, light rum)

• 1 with a dark liquor (bourbon or whiskey)

• 1 with bubbles (you can rarely go wrong with bubbles)

That way everyone will have a drink they can jive with. Plan on serving 1 drink per person per hour. Don’t forget to have a non-alcoholic drink option on hand as well.

For cocktail appetizers plan a combination of cocktail appetizers you can make in advance and cook during the party. Below we mention portions. That way you can pull some things out of the oven with minimal need to prepare or clean up.

Wine

It goes without saying, having a few well curated wines goes a long way. When it comes to ease and accommodating a wide range of palates, keep the budget around $30 (or less) per bottle. It is a special party. And if you are wondering what styles to have: sparkling wine, Chardonnay, and a red Zinfandel are all great options and very versatile with food (not to mention they cater to a wide variety of palates).

And guess what, we have you covered! You can order and ship your wine right to you if you want a unique, small producer, with sustainable growing and winemaking practices. Head over to the Vindulge Wine Market for options across the price ranges.

Holiday Cocktail Recipes

Make a pitcher (or crock pot!) of these festive cocktails so you can spend more time mingling.

Apple Cider Mimosa Recipe

Fresh apple cider plus sparkling wine for the perfect apple cider cocktail. This will be your go-to fall cocktail.

Full Recipe

Mulled Wine Recipe

Mulled Wine is a comforting festive drink made from a blend of red wine, spices, and citrus, served warm. This holiday classic recipe is easy to make and is a great cocktail for winter parties.

Full Recipe

Ginger Pomegranate Cocktail

Ginger Pomegranate Spritz is a loose take on a classic cocktail. This refreshing drink is made with ginger beer, pomegranate flavored Italian soda, fresh lime, vodka, and some fresh herbs. It's the perfect refreshing holiday cocktail this season.

Full Recipe

Pomegranate Mimosa

A delicious and festive Pomegranate Mimosa made with sparkling wine, Cointreau, and pomegranate juice. The perfect champagne cocktail recipe for holiday parties!

Full Recipe

Bourbon Spiked Hot Apple Cider Recipe

A soothing and comforting spiked apple cider made with Bourbon. Can be served warm or cold over ice. 

Full Recipe

Bourbon Cocktail Recipe with Grilled Lemon Simple Syrup

Grilled lemons infused into a simple syrup and mixed with bourbon and bitters. A great summer cocktail.

Full Recipe

Cocktail Party Appetizers

On to the food! Like with drinks, the name of the game is to do as much as you can in advance. Dips and nuts can be prepared the day before. Meatballs can be kept warm in a crock pot throughout the party.

How many appetizers should you make?

No need to make every recipe on our list. Choose your favorites and try making 3-4 different appetizers with enough for each person to average 12 bites. (Plan on more per person if being served in lieu of a meal.)

Grilled Shrimp Cocktail with Sriracha Cocktail Sauce

Grilled Shrimp Cocktail features a Spicy Sriracha Cocktail Sauce that is easily adaptable. Perfect for cookouts, parties, and holidays!

Full Recipe

Jalapeño Poppers with Brie and Prosciutto

A cheese board meets jalapeño poppers with creamy brie cheese, savory and salty prosciutto with a touch of cherry jam.

Full Recipe

Roasted Chestnuts over Open Fire

An easy recipe for roasting chestnuts over an open fire of charcoal or embers.

Full Recipe

Grilled Bacon Wrapped Dates with Honey and Goat Cheese

Stuffed with goat cheese, these dates are then wrapped with bacon and then grilled over direct heat. These dates are finished with a smoked honey glaze and create the very best finger food at any party.

Full Recipe

Smoked Cranberry Meatballs in a Cranberry Red Wine Sauce

A simple, delicious, and elegant appetizer idea for the holidays. Smoked meatballs made with pork and beef, cooked on the smoker, and then braised in a sweet and savory cranberry wine sauce.

Full Recipe

Grilled Baked Brie with Wine and Thyme

Grilled brie wheel with white wine and thyme served with grilled crostini.

Full Recipe

Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe

A delicious appetizer recipe for smoked salmon dip made with salmon cooked on a smoker, then mixed into a creamy indulgent dip. This is a great smoked salmon appetizer for any occasion. Includes wine pairings.

Full Recipe

Smoked Almonds

Roasting almonds using a low and slow method to get an amazing smoky flavor and crunch. We add a touch of extra virgin olive oil and kosher salt to finish.

Full Recipe

Smoked Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe

An easy and elegant recipe for Smoked Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms. Smoked sausage adds incredible flavor to this favorite holiday party appetizer.

Full Recipe

Goat Cheese Dip Recipe with Shiitake Mushrooms

Goat Cheese Dip with Shiitake Mushrooms combines cream cheese and goat cheese with savory shiitake mushrooms and is baked and finished with spicy pickled peppers, tomatoes, and more mushrooms. Creamy, savory, and delicious!

Full Recipe

Smoked Candied Nuts Recipe with Bourbon Glaze

A slowly smoked mix of pecans, almonds, cashews, and hazelnuts finished with a sweet and decadent butter, brown sugar, and bourbon glaze.

Full Recipe

Grilled Oysters with White Wine Butter Sauce

How to grill oysters in the half shell with a herb wine butter sauce.

Full Recipe

Wine Marinated Beef Skewers

Using a red wine marinade and easy dry rub for these delicious grilled steak skewer recipe.

Full Recipe

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