Recipes

Cheese Balls, Shrimp Cocktail, and More: 20 Recipes for a Retro Dinner Party

Martinis! Cheese balls! Shrimp cocktail! We'll take any excuse celebrate with old-school style.
Image may contain Plant Food Vegetable Nut and Bread
Danny Kim

Martinis! Cheese balls! Shrimp cocktail! We'll take any excuse to party like it's 1969 (or '65, or '68; you get the idea). In honor of the season premiere of Mad Men we're throwing it way back. So, break out your fondue pots and stir up a martini—yes, we said stir—that would make Don proud.

  • Image may contain Plant Food Egg Dish Meal Confectionery and Sweets
    Diane Fields
    5/19

    Citrus-Marinated Olives

    These briny little buggers have been a party must for decades. Marinate them for at least 2 hours or up to 4 days.

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  • Classic martini recipe
    Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott
    6/19

    Classic Martini

    A cocktail should be served so cold it hurts, which you should repeat to yourself as you stir. And stir. And stir.

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  • Image may contain Food and Meatball
    7/19

    Spiced Lamb Meatballs

    Why were meatballs a requirement at every 1960s cocktails party? We have two guesses: They can be made in advance and are great dipped in just about anything (which is also why we still love them).

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  • Image may contain Food and Fondue
    8/19

    Classic Party Fondue

    Raclette is the most mild tasting of these three cheeses, while Comté and Gruyère deliver some sharpness. For a crowd-pleasing mix, try 3 parts raclette to 1 part Comté and/or Gruyère.

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  • Bowl of spinach artichoke dip surrounded by crudite and potato chips on a beige surface.
    Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman
    13/19

    Spinach Artichoke Dip

    Be sure to squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the spinach. Adding spinach that is too wet could upset the creamy harmony of the rest of the ingredients.

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  • Image may contain Drink Cocktail Alcohol and Beverage
    14/19

    Manhattan

    For the martini averse, this classic cocktail takes the edge off in about 2 seconds flat.

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