How to Plan Your Cocktail Party: Plus 4 Delicious Cocktail Appetizer Pairings

Warm weather, finally! Gone are the days of having a select few friends over and exchanging tales by the fireside. It’s time to throw that fancy summer party!

Catering to crowds is not always easy though. So we’ve put together a few handy tips on how to choose cocktail party appetizers that can make your party the most memorable one this season!

The Basics

As every good party planner knows, it’s best to get a clear picture of your event.

· How many people are you going to invite?

· What theme will your event be centered on?

· What type of party do you want it to be?

· What is your budget?

· Are you going to have music and dance?

Cocktail parties are normally the most budget-friendly and versatile to plan. Everyone loves picking at elegant looking little canapés while sipping their favorite tipple. Cocktail parties also have an added advantage as you do not need to plan a sit-down dinner with enough seats, cutlery and the rest of the trimmings that go with it.

What Kinds of Food to Serve at the Cocktail Party?

Circulating a variety of cocktail appetizers normally works well at any party. Make sure to serve both hot and cold defrost & serve appetizers during your cocktail party to ease any pressure on the kitchen and to add variety. It’s also a good idea to serve a couple of vegetarian appetizers or vegan appetizers for the more discerning guests, especially at larger parties.

How Many Appetizers per Person?

The number of appetizers for a cocktail party will obviously be more per head than what you would serve at a dinner or a buffet, as that is all the food you will be serving. Count about 8 to 12 appetizers per person. Plan to serve at least five different appetizers for a party of fewer than 40 people and at least 8 for larger parties.

If you are planning on having servers, have them suggest appetizer and cocktail pairing for some added sophistication or you can just break out those cocktail shakers yourself.

Here are four amazing cocktail and appetizer pairings you will love.

1. Bloody Mary and Stuffed Mushrooms

This classic cocktail is great to pair with a variety of different foods. Try a combination with stuffed mushrooms or bacon-wrapped appetizers. Try our luscious Mushroom Florentines for a classy vegetarian option.

2. Shrimp and G n Ts

Shrimp is great cocktail food. It’s small, bite-sized and delicious. It also goes surprisingly well with Gin and Tonic. Try our Butter Pecan Shrimp skewers with a nice and crisp gin and tonic or used spiced gin for spicier shrimp preparations.

3. Island Girl and Coconut Chicken Tenders

Tropical themed cocktails and food are always a big hit in summer. Island Girl combines vodka and guava juice with dashes of orange and cranberry to create a colorful drink that will make your guests smile. Fruits and coconut flavors go really well together so combine this cocktail with our Coconut Chicken Tenders to transport your delighted guests to the tropics.

4. Ginger Lemongrass and Pork Potstickers

Add an eastern vibe to your party with a refreshing cocktail made from vodka, ginger liqueur, lemongrass syrup, lemon juice, and a splash of ginger ale. Serve with pork potstickers to really give an exotic twist to your cocktail party.

Experiment with flavors, foods and beverages, both alcoholic and none, well before the day of your party to find the combinations that you like best!

Whether you’re planning the event of the year or just an intimate gathering with your friends, we at Appetizers USA would love to hear from you. Get in touch with us for our delicious hand-crafted, gourmet appetizers, hors d'oeuvres, entrees and desserts that are suitable for every occasion.

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