
What are the best cocktail party appetizers?
Here are some of our favorite time-tested cocktail party appetizers to pair with your classic cocktails, including top-rated recipes for crab dip, cocktail wieners, coconut shrimp, stuffed mushroom, puffed poppers, tiny toasts, and much more. Related: Check out our collection of Appetizer and Snack Recipes.
How many appetizers do you serve at a cocktail party?
Here are 10 cocktail party appetizers. What makes a cocktail party classic? Exceptional drinks and lively chatter, for one and two. But also delicious bites that keep the conversation rolling and the booze from kicking a little too strong.
Why are cocktail appetizers so important for holiday parties?
That is precisely why I have an arsenal of easy and fast cocktail party appetizers to make holiday party planning just that much more realistic. They are an integral piece of the holy grail of event planning success – easy apps + lots o’ booze + waterproof mascara.
What to eat at a cocktail party?
Sliced baguette dressed with pesto, mozzarella, and proscuitto is an easy appetizer that can be eaten easily at a cocktail party. >> See the recipe ⚯ A margarita would go well with either arugula or basil pesto because of the vegetal herby flavors, which pair well with the lime. A vodka gimlet is also a good choice.

What are the kinds of cocktail appetizers?
The Best Cocktail Party AppetizersBaked Crab and Artichoke Dip. ... Bacon and Date Appetizer. ... Bacon Jalapeno Popper Puffs. ... Chef John's Crab Rangoon. ... Blue Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms. ... Coconut Shrimp I. ... Breaded Toasted Ravioli. ... Slow Cooker Cocktail Smokies.More items...•
What is cocktail appetizer made of?
2. An appetizer made by combining pieces of food, such as fruit or seafood: fruit cocktail; shrimp cocktail.
What is cocktail and example?
The definition of a cocktail is a mix of different liquors and other liquids, or an appetizer, or a mixture of drugs. A vodka and orange juice drink called a screwdriver is an example of a cocktail. Shrimp served chilled with a spicy sauce is an example of a cocktail.
What do you mean by cocktail?
1a : a usually iced drink of wine or distilled liquor mixed with flavoring ingredients. b : something resembling or suggesting such a drink as being a mixture of often diverse elements or ingredients a cocktail of remembered incidents and pure imagination— Charlotte Low a cocktail of herbicides.
What are the 6 types of appetizers?
Classification of AppetizersCocktails.Hors d' oeuvres.Canape.Relishes/Crudite.Salads.Soup & ConsomméChips & DIps.
How many appetizers do I need for a cocktail party?
Appetizer MathType of EventNumber of AppetizersCocktail Party:12 pieces per personDinner Party:Four to five pieces per person for an early meal Six pieces per person for a later meal1 more row
What are the 6 basic cocktails?
They are the Old Fashioned, Martini, Daiquiri, Sidecar, Whiskey Highball, and Flip. In each drink, every ingredient falls into at least one category. Core is the primary flavor; balance enhances the core with sweetness, acidity, or both; and seasoning adds another dimension and complements or contrasts with the core.
What are the 4 types of cocktail?
In an attempt to demystify the always delightful but often murky path to cocktail enlightenment, we present four basic cocktail categories: sours, fizzes, Old-Fashioneds and three-parters.
What are the top 10 cocktails?
Here are 10 of the most popular cocktails that will always be in style.Daiquiri.Gimlet.Manhattan.Negroni.Old Fashioned.Espresso Martini.Passionfruit Martini.Mimosa.More items...
What's another word for cocktail?
cocktailaperitif.appetizer.drink.wine.mixed drink.
What is a true cocktail?
True Cocktails® is a natural, low calorie cocktail mix in single serve packets. Each box contains a mini cocktail shaker, 6 individual packets, 5 recipe cards for fun mixing options, and an instruction card. Buy now on amazon.com.
What is a cocktail without alcohol called?
In simplest terms, a virgin drink is a drink that does not contain any alcohol. It's also known as a mocktail. Often, when making mocktails and virgin drinks, one will replace the alcohol with a flavored mixer like ginger ale, ginger beer, or tonic water.
How do you make a cocktail party?
9 Tips for an Easy & Elegant Cocktail Party1 - Send a pretty invite. ... 2 - Consider a Thursday. ... 3 - Don't forget a cheese board. ... 5 - Keep it simple. ... 6 - Consider food placement. ... 7 - Use fancy cocktail napkins. ... 8 - Have a signature cocktail. ... 9 - Make a killer playlist.
What is meant by cocktail party?
Definition of cocktail party : an informal or semiformal party or gathering at which cocktails are served.
What is the classification of appetizer?
Appetizers are classified as cocktail food, appetizers salad, hors d'oeuvres, canapés and relishes. They usually come in combination of meat, seafood, poultry, fruit, vegetables and daily products and shell fish. Appetizers can be served as hot and cold depending on how it is placed in the menu.
What do you serve with cocktails?
But these fast cocktail snacks are no ordinary fare.Prawns on toast (toast skagen) ... Blue cheese tarts with waldorf salad. ... Crab and corn fritters for your last-minute gathering. ... Crab and corn fritters. ... Homemade rye and ale crisps. ... Cheat's blinis with jamon and figs. ... Crumbed fish bites.More items...
33 recipes to ensure you always have a snack in one hand and a drink in the other
Rabi Abonour is a planner specializing in transportation, but has also been a photojournalist, writer, and editor for several online and print publications.
For Omnivores
I live the life of a humble food blogger, so foie gras pâté probably won't make an appearance at my next cocktail party. Fortunately, chicken liver pâté is much more affordable and still delicious. Our autumnal take on the dish is flavored with bourbon and apple cider and topped with cranberry gelée.
For Pescatarians
Properly made shrimp cocktail is one of the best cocktail party hors d'oeuvres around, but all too often the dish is ruined by rubbery supermarket shrimp. Doing shrimp cocktail justice means poaching the shellfish gently in a court bouillon so that they become flavorful and tender.
For Vegetarians
This vegetarian pâté gets its meaty flavor and texture from roasted cauliflower, which we cook with pecans and purée. You can make the recipe vegan by using vegetable broth and oil instead of cream and butter, but it won't have quite the same silky pâté texture.
Dark Chocolate Figs with Gorgonzola Cheese
These Dark Chocolate Figs with Gorgonzola Cheese are served as an appetizer or dessert, your guests will fall in love. The ingredients are simple, but they all work so well together. >> See the recipe
Honey Goat Cheese Balls
Easy to make and so delicious, goat cheese balls are perfect cocktail party appetizers. The tangy, lemony flavors in goat cheese, as well as the grassy and herbaceous flavors, go well with gin. >> See the recipe
Marinated Mozzarella Balls
These Mozzarella balls are perfect for cocktail hour. Cheese always goes well with cocktails, beer, and wine, so you can’t go wrong. But mozzarella pairs especially well with strawberry and black pepper, or anything smoky. It’s alsoan easy finger food that you can eat while sipping. >> See the recipe
Mini Bacon & Onion Pasties
Caramelized bacon and onion is encased in flaky puff pastry to make a delicious appetizer. These are perfect for a cocktail party because the sour citrus in a cocktail cuts through the fat in the pastry and bacon. Your guests will love this combo. >> See the recipe
Pesto Crostini
Sliced baguette dressed with pesto, mozzarella, and proscuitto is an easy appetizer that can be eaten easily at a cocktail party. >> See the recipe
Puff Pastry Pinwheels with Prosciutto
These Puff Pastry Pinwheels are easy-to-make. Just roll up prosciutto and grated gruyère cheese in puff pastry dough, then slice and bake. The gruyère cheese has a mild and nutty, sweet flavor and goes well with many drinks, especially red wine. >> See the recipe
Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus Spears
These prosciutto-wrapped asparagus spears make a great finger food for a cocktail party. They’re easy to make and cook before the party, so you can have extra on hand to restock the plate, and they go well with a number of cocktails. >> See the recipe
Cranberry Brie Bruschetta
Some combination of brie and cranberry is the gold standard of holiday fare, and these cranberry brie bites deliver! The cranberry jam and crostini can be made in advance, so you’ll need just 10 minutes on party day to assemble these adorable two-bite delights.
Best Spicy Deviled Eggs
Every holiday party needs a deviled egg, and Cam is drooling over this version. He loves himself a deviled egg or ten at a cocktail party, and the incorporation of Sriracha in this recipe has got him all fired up.
Mini Candied Pecan Cranberry Goat Cheese Balls
Ah, the cheese ball. The ubiquitous holiday party offering, much beloved by young and old. I love a classic cheese ball, but these mini guys? They. Are. Adorable. Ready in just 15 minutes or give yourself the gift of convenience and make them in advance.
Winter Harvest Endive Cups
These guys are easy, fast, fresh and perfectly seasonally hued. They’re ready in just 20 minutes. Plus I can call them a canapé …fancy. Oh la la!
4-Ingredient Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese
I was had at four ingredients, with the bonus of bacon being one of them – that’s my kind of cocktail party appetizer prep. Swoon. These take just a scotch longer than 30 minutes, but you can easily do the prep work in advance and then pop those bad boys into the oven just before party time.
Rosemary White Bean Bruschetta
Thank you, vegan friends, for making me scratch my head and come up with this recipe for the best damn bruschetta I’ve ever had. Honestly, who knew beans on toast could be so damn good?
Watermelon Radishes with Anchovy Butter on Sliced Baguette
Proof that I’m not a bacon-eating mongrel 100% of the time, as evidenced by how much my draw dropped to the desk when I saw these stunning canapés. Hello beautiful – get into my belly stat.
1. Bruschetta and Spritz
Perfect for Italian-inspired menus, this vibrant food and drink combination is equal parts simple as it is extravagant. Lightly toast a baguette and brush thin slices with olive oil and garlic before placing marinated tomatoes and springy basil leaves on top.
2. Mini Fish Tacos and Margaritas
If your clients are looking for fresh, Latin-inspired zest and tequila, this cocktail and appetizer pairing is perfect for just about every occasion. Although we recommend a traditional lime margarita, you can mix this idea up with a watermelon lime or strawberry margarita as well.
3. Sushi and Sake
An Asian-inspired menu just isn’t complete without servings of sushi and glasses of sake sprinkled in somewhere alongside the rest of your mouthwatering courses.
4. Grilled Cheese Sliders and Lavender Green Tea Coolers
No matter what the crowd prefers, childhood classics like grilled cheese, chicken noodle soup, mac and cheese, and fries are always a hit amongst guests. Start by choosing a bread that crisps up nicely and is thick enough to hold layers of cheese without getting too soft or soggy.
Lavender Lemonade Mojitos – Goat Cheese Toasts with Honey
We love this cocktail with its light rum, water, lemon juice, mint, and lavender simple syrup. Goat cheese, lavender, and honey? This is basically as Southern France as one could possibly get. No wonder they say what grows together goes together; when they come together in your mouth, these Provencal flavors are absolutely heavenly.
Blushing Bride – Mini Fruit & Cheese Skewers
The Blushing Bride includes Champagne, Peach Schnapps, and grenadine. This Champagne-based cocktail presents festive bubbles with a sweet touch, thanks to the Schnapps and grenadine. Pairing classic bubbly with a traditional fruit and cheese skewer is always a crowdpleaser.
Whiskey Lemonade with Honey – Mini Macaroni and Cheese Stuffed Biscuits
We love this cocktail made of bourbon, lemonade, and honey. It positively screams southern comfort. The sweetness in the bourbon and honey pairs beautifully with the buttery characteristics of cheesy pasta and flaky biscuits.
Moscow Mule – California Roll Sushi Poppers
A Moscow Mule contains ginger beer, vodka, and lime juice. We generally consume our sushi with a side of ginger, right? So why not drink it? This effervescent ginger cocktail presents a unique twist on everyone’s favorite weeknight dinner: California Rolls.
Aperol Tangerine Cocktail – Prosciutto Wrapped Peach Slices
This one’s got vodka, orange juice, tangerine syrup, and lime juice. The tangy citrus additions to this vodka-based cocktail play beautifully off of the natural sugars and stone fruit flavors of the yellow peach wedges.
Old Fashioned – Bacon Chicken Skewers
An Old Fashioned classically contains bourbon, bitters, a sugar cube, and water. Bourbon and bacon? Need we say more? The salty, fatty goodness in the bacon not only complements the savory flavors of chicken, but also plays off of the sweetness of the bourbon and sugar cube. This is as American as it gets, in the best possible way, of course
Creamy Coconut Margaritas – Loaded Nacho Cups
With cream of coconut, tequila, ice, lime juice, and triple sec, this cocktail will bring a bit of Tex-Mex to your nuptials. Margaritas and nachos are always wonderful together; upgrade your Mexican faves with some creamy coconut flavors and individually served nacho cups. We might even continue making these even after the reception is over.
The Spirits, Wines, and Cocktails Designed to Be Enjoyed Before Dinner
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
What Is an Apéritif?
The word apéritif (plural, apéritifs) is French, and its Italian counterpart is aperitivo (plural, aperitivi ). They stem from the Latin " apierire, " meaning "to open, or uncover." These short, often aromatic, drinks are designed to whet the appetite and prepare the palate and stomach for food and the taste sensations that come with it.
Apéritif vs. Digestif
The opposite of an apéritif is a digestif, which is typically served at the end of a meal to aid digestion. While both styles of drink often include botanicals, the digestif tends to be more bitter and sweet with less acidity than the apéritif.
Types of Apéritifs
The word aperitif refers to both a class of alcoholic beverages and the cocktails they're found in. It is a vast category that includes a great variety of styles. The only common ground is that they typically involve herbs or other ingredients that arouse the drinker's appetite.
How to Drink Apéritifs
Any of the common apéritifs can be served on their own. Often poured into a snifter or small cordial glass that accentuates the aromatics, many are best when chilled. Pouring them over ice will soften the flavor and open up the aromas. Many people prefer to drink apéritifs 30 to 60 minutes before eating.
Aperitif Cocktails
When a cocktail includes one of the apéritifs, you can be assured that it will make an excellent before-dinner drink. Campari and Aperol are often found in cocktail recipes, though others can make fascinating drinks. Any drink in the martini family that uses vermouth or sherry can easily qualify as an apéritif as well.
