Appetizers
Bacon Wrapped Pineapple
You need just one word to describe succulent bites of Bacon Wrapped Pineapple: Irresistible. Fresh chunks of pineapple are dipped…
Table of Contents
- How do you organize a New Year’s Eve Party?
- Music: set the mood with a perfect playlist.
- Party Decor: it doesn’t have to be expensive.
- Finger Foods (skip the silverware!): the mix and the quantity.
- Cocktail (and mocktail!) quantities: better safe than sorry.
- Essential Bar Tools
- Use the Right Glassware for your Cocktails
- Savory Finger Foods
- Festive Foods with a Little More Substance
- Dips, Sauces and Spreads
- Elegant Salads
- Crackers
- Mouthwatering Crostini Recipes
- Perfect New Year’s Eve Party Sweets
- New Year’s Eve Cocktails + My Favorite Mocktail!
How do you organize a New Year’s Eve Party?
Skip the printing and send pretty and free online invitations. Here are two great sources:
Music: set the mood with a perfect playlist.
- Be sure to include a mix of lively, soft, and nostalgic songs. (Like this New Years Eve 2024 Spotify playlist)
- Ask your party guests for a few of their favorite songs and add them to the mix.
Party Decor: it doesn’t have to be expensive.
- Think sparkle: white lights, mirrors under dishes, low lights, candles (LED or traditional).
Finger Foods (skip the silverware!): the mix and the quantity.
- Include savory and sweet finger-food appetizers.
- Assume that your guests will eat two or three of each of the finger foods.
- Determine the number of finger food varieties based on the number of guests:
- 10 to 15 guests = 3 or 4 varieties
- 15 to 20 guests = 4 or 5 varieties
- 25 or more guests = 5 or more varieties
Cocktail (and mocktail!) quantities: better safe than sorry.
- A general rule is 3 drinks per person for every 2 hours of the party. But it doesn’t hurt to have extra on hand.
- Don’t forget your teetotaler friends and designated drivers – there are lots of fun, non-alcoholic cocktail recipes, like these: Virgin Mojito recipe, Virgin Margarita recipe and Non Alcoholic Sangria.
- Equivalents:
- 1 liter of a distilled spirit yields about 22 mixed drinks
- 1 750-milliliter bottle of wine or champagne yields 6 to 8 glasses
Essential Bar Tools
- Ice Bucket with Tongs
- Ice (these giant ice cube trays are fun!)
- Shaker and Strainer
- Shot Glass or Jigger
- Muddler
- Small Cutting Board
- Small Knife
- Garnishes (lemons, limes, maraschino cherries, olives, bitters, etc. – depending on your choice of cocktails!)
- Cocktail Napkins
- Wine Opener
- Twist Peeler
Use the Right Glassware for your Cocktails
- Old Fashioned or “Rocks” Glasses – for drinks served with ice
- Martini Glasses – use for any ‘up’ cocktails that are stirred or shaken and strained
- Champagne Glasses, either Coupe or Flute – for Champagne (or sparkling wine) and Champagne Cocktails
Savory Finger Foods
Festive Foods with a Little More Substance
Mexican Appetizers
Shrimp Nachos
Shrimp Nachos are a great way to add a festive touch to gatherings or simply spice up dinner time. Seafood…
Dips, Sauces and Spreads
Mexican Appetizers
Fire Roasted Salsa
Fire Roasted Salsa combines smoky, fire-roasted tomatoes and green chiles with fresh ingredients and a blend of zesty seasonings like…
Elegant Salads
Salad Dressing
Champagne Vinaigrette
Ever notice how a great salad dressing can transform a pile of greens from an obligation to a craving? That’s…
Crackers
Crackers
Lavosh Crackers
Lavosh Crackers (or Lavash) are thin, crunchy flatbread crackers that some say originated in Armenia, and others say began in…
Mouthwatering Crostini Recipes
Crostini Recipes
Brie Crostini with Cherries and Arugula
When you’re in need of a quick and easy appetizer or snack, look no further than crostini. With a baguette…
Perfect New Year’s Eve Party Sweets
Cookies and Brownies
World Peace Cookies
World Peace Cookies became a holiday tradition in our house more than a decade ago. We make them at Christmas…
New Year’s Eve Cocktails + My Favorite Mocktail!
Cocktail Recipes
French 75 Cocktail
If you’ve ever wondered about the French 75 Cocktail history, it was first poured in 1915 at a bar in Paris, a mixture…
