A Brooklyn couple shakes up the season with a dress-up cocktail party—old-school drinks, lots of easy appetizers, and plenty of holiday cheer.
Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
Jefferson Sour with Homemade Grenadine (pictured)
Roasted Chestnuts with Black Pepper Honey
Marinated Olives with Herbs and Star Anise
Assorted cheeses and breads
Smoked Fish Platter with Honey-Mustard Dill Sauce and Cucumber-Coriander Yogurt
Orange-Scented Brownies with Dried Cranberries, Pistachios, and Ginger
NEXT: Small Plates, Big Flavors for 8
This stylish, streamlined cocktail party is the perfect answer to the question we ask ourselves every December: How will I find the time (and energy) to have friends over?
Smoked Salmon Platter with Dill Sour Cream
Crudités with Lemon-Pesto Goat Cheese Dip(pictured)
Dukkah-Crusted Lamb Chops with Pomegranate Molasses
Bloody Mary Soup Shots with Shrimp and Pickled Vegetables (pictured)
NEXT: A Party that Pops for 16
Mix and match these Champagne cocktails and fun hors d'oeuvres to get any December evening started—and to keep it going, effervescently.
Pancetta Crisps with Goat Cheese and Pear
Crostini with Burrata Cheese, Pink Pepper, and Arugula
Sesame Wonton Triangles with Smoked Salmon and Wasabi
NEXT: One Party Fits All
No matter what the occasion, this big, delicious buffet will wow the crowds.
Baked Rigatoni with Sausage and Mushrooms
Roasted Cherry Tomato and Fresh Herb Bread
Dried Cherry and Ginger Cannoli
NEXT: Start it Up
Splendid hors d'oeuvres will get any fete going, whether it's a sit-down dinner or a cocktail party.
Peppered Tuna Skewers with Wasabi Mayonnaise
Polenta Bites with Blue Cheese, Tomatoes, and Pine Nuts (top)
Herbed Chicken-Chutney Salad on Lettuce Leaves (middle)
Roast Beef and Arugula Crostini with Olive-Red Pepper Relish (bottom)
Roasted Almonds with Rosemary and Fleur de Sel
NEXT: A Glorious Open House for 24
Go ahead—invite everybody. These delicious, do-ahead recipes make this a buffet even the cook will enjoy.
Lemon-Rosemary Chicken Skewers (pictured)
Couscous and Shrimp Salad with Tangerines and Almonds
Smoked Ham with Country Mustard Sauce
Roasted Bell Pepper Salad with Pine Nuts
Endive and Arugula Salad with Pickled Onions and Blue Cheese
Pineapple-Marinated Salmon with Asian Cabbage Salad
Champagne
NEXT: Do-Ahead Cocktail Party for 20
Smoky Chipotle Hummus with Garlic Bagel Chips (pictured)
Pepperoni and Asiago Pinwheels (pictured)
Mango-Curry Shrimp Salad in Wonton Cups
New Potatoes with Three-Cheese Fondue
Sesame-Crusted Salmon with Orange-Miso Sauce
Baby Carrot Crudités with Green Onion and Mint Dip
Fig and Walnut Tapenade with Goat Cheese