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Holiday Parties with a Twist
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This is the time of year that holiday parties are planned, and crowd-pleasing recipes are in demand. Of course, old basics like cheese logs, creamy dips, meatballs and shrimp are always in the mix, but the trendy host looks for some new ideas to throw into the menu. Soooooo, we whipped up about a dozen big ideas for your holiday party this year. Plus to make it extra special, we looked to trailblazing cocktail experts, Carey Jones and John McCarthy, who are shaking up the cocktail world with their new book “Every Cocktail Has a Twist.” Stay tuned for some must-try holiday cocktails and appetizers.
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Share-a-Veggie-Treat Party Platter
Finger food-friendly-colors, flavors, and textures pop for parties.
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About the Recipe: Fresh juicy tomatoes, stuffed with creamy balls of fresh mozzarella. are flavored with Italian dressing. Top with fresh basil leaves and bits of fresh tomato. Guests love these – easy to make, simple to serve, and delicious to eat.
Cocktail Pairing: Sorrento Spritz, p, 25, Every Cocktail Has a Twist
About the Recipe: Smoked salmon is full of flavor, and some brands are pre-sliced with a peppered outer crust or additional flavors. Top fresh sliced cucumber rounds with a small dollop of creamy onion flavored cheese, a twirled flake of salmon, and one snipped dill sprig. So fresh and delicious.
See More – Share-a-Veggie-Treat Party Platter
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Southern Apricot Glazed Ham Meatballs
Sweet ‘n smoky barbecue seasoned meatballs with a tropical flavor.
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About the Recipe: This party recipe combines the flavor of ground pork and smoky
ham, adding a sweet touch of apricots and pineapple juice. A touch of barbecue
seasoning intensifies the grilled flavor that all of us just love. Garnish with a few green
celery leaves and serve with some fancy toothpicks.
Cocktail Pairing: Sweet Tea Sour, p. 252, Every Cocktail Has a Twist
See More – Southern Apricot Glazed Ham Meatballs
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Saucy Italian Beef Sammies
One step baking for 12 servings.
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About the Recipe: “Sometimes your game playing friends just need a quick-to-make appetizer snack. Mini sandwiches are a great way to go for those informal parties. Small dinner-size rolls make the job easy, and the onion mushroom filling can be made ahead. Just layer the ingredients. Set aside and bake when you’re ready to enjoy a yummy Italian snack.
Cocktail Pairing: Americano. P. 179, Every Cocktail Has a Twist
See More – Saucy Italian Beef Sammies
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Every Cocktail has a Twist
Shake up your cocktail routine with this easy-to-follow guide from the critically acclaimed authors of Be Your Own Bartender.
You love your favorite libations, but sometimes you want something different that you know you’ll like. Providing all the tools you need to create delicious new concoctions, this comprehensive collection reconfigures 25 timeless tipples, from Bloody Marys, Daiquiris, and Manhattans to Margaritas, Negronis, and Old-Fashioneds.
Whether you’re a new enthusiast or a seasoned expert, these original riffs will transform your go-to drinks. Featuring more than 200 recipes with numerous adaptations for different tastes and surprising flavor combinations, Every Cocktail Has a Twist also includes Mix and Match options for additional variations and batching instructions for gatherings, making the book even more useful. Remixing the classics has never been easier.
Excerpted from Every Cocktail Has a Twist by Carey Jones and John McCarthy, copyright © 2023, photography copyright © 2023 by Rachel Weill, reprinted by permission of Countryman Press, an imprint of W. W. Norton & Co., Inc. All rights reserved.
, photography copyright © 2023 by Rachel Weill,
Carey Jones and John McCarthy authors of Every Cocktail Has a Twist and Be Your Own Bartender
Carey Jones and John Mc Carthy Interview
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Holly Jolly
photography copyright © 2023 by Rachel Weill
About the Recipe: Whereas some cocktails drink frosty and autumnal, this one goes all in on winter. Festive and celebratory, the cranberry, ginger, and orange recall a holiday relish or chutney. Dark rum anchors the cocktail, with bitters, nutmeg, and ginger beer providing seasonal spice. Use whatever orange liqueur you have, but Grand Marnier tastes awfully nice, especially during the holidays.
pdf for Copy of Recipe – Holly Jolly
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Run Run Rudolph
photography copyright © 2023 by Rachel Weill
About the Recipe: This creamy Eggnog has the classic flavors of an Irish coffee. We recommend Tullamore D.E.W. as the whiskey and the excellent cold brew liqueur Mr. Black. Santa definitely would appreciate this one.
pdf for Copy of Recipe – Run Run Rudolph
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Holiday Appetizers Recipes
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Deviled Egg Cheese Party Log
Celebrate with deviled eggs served in easy finger food style.
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About the Recipe: Want a great way to serve stylish deviled eggs – try mixing them in a creamy party log. A little blue cheese adds a sophisticated flavor to the classic deviled egg additions. For some extra herb freshness, add some bright green parsley topping or fresh herbs. Serve as a spread with lots of crunchy crackers.
Cocktail Pairing: Sangria Espanola, p. 214, Every Cocktail Has a Twist
See More – Deviled Egg Cheese Party Log
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French Onion Dill Dip
Serve with Associated Vegetables Dippers & Chips
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About the Recipe: Using onion cream cheese is an easy way to add onions to the dip with no chopping. Then just add some fresh dill, which makes the flavor unbeatable. It pairs well with freshly cut vegetables or use it as a spread for sandwiches. This recipe can be prepared ahead of time, and it’s so easy to stir together. Everyone loves an appetizer that’s served with dippers.
Cocktail Pairing: Our French 75, p. 84, Every Cocktail Has a Twist
See More – French Onion Dill Dip
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Chili Crisp Shrimp with Coconut Curry Sauce
Easy to make oven grilled shrimp that pop with spicy flavor.
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About the Recipe: Shrimp are always invited to the party! They are one of the most popular appetizers with most guests, easy to prepare, and so pretty and impressive. Adding chili crisp makes the shrimp pop with flavor and then mellow out with the golden sauce. Your guests will appreciate these crowd-pleasing nibbles.
Cocktail Pairing: Cucumber Collins p. 242, Every Cocktail Has a Twist
See More – Chili Crisp Shrimp with Coconut Curry Sauce
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Melting Mediterranean Feta Cheese
Crunchy, soft melting feta cheese drizzled with honey peppered glaze.
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About the Recipe: This holiday Mediterranean appetizer is bursting with fried cheese flavor, juicy cherry tomatoes, and salty black olives. The crispy melting feta is sprinkled with fresh thyme leaves and drizzled with sweet, peppered honey. For your warm cheese nibblers, serve it with lots of assorted crackers.
Cocktail Pairing: Sunset Spritz, p. 25. Every Cocktail Has a Twist
See More – Melting Mediterranean Feta Cheese
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Classy Roquefort Fondue
Spicy flavored cheese pairs with mellow sweet pears.
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About the Recipe: Fondue recipes are fun for everyone and bring a sophisticated flair to holiday entertaining. Dipping the bread cubes until generously coated with oozing cheese is a tasty treat that everyone enjoys. The spicy, salty cheese that coats the crusty baguette bread cubes blends perfectly with the mellow sweet slices of pears or apples. It’s a magical combination.
Cocktail Pairing: Speakeasy Sidecar, p. 233 Every Cocktail Has a Twist
See More – Classy Roquefort Fondue
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Asian Barbecue Wagyu Beef Mini Cups
One bite Asian barbecue appetizers, a little sweet, tangy, and spicy.
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About the Recipe: Add an Asian touch to your appetizer tray with these one-bite size mini pastry shells. They are so crispy and convenient to just fill up with an Asian barbecue beef and mushroom filling, and top with tiny bits of cheese with minced sweet peppers. If you like more barbecue flavor, dot the tops with extra sauce. Serving them with some fresh dressed spinach leaves and sushi rolls makes an attractive appetizer platter.
Cocktail Pairing: Vibe Shift, p. 159, Every Cocktail Has a Twist
See More – Asian Barbecue Wagyu Beef Mini Cups
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Toasty Salmon Sesame Snacks
Crispy fried salmon toasts pair well with sparkling drinks.
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About the Recipe: Creamy salmon salad filling is spread over soft French Brioche bread slices and topped with crunchy sesame seeds, which turn golden brown and crisp when fried. The crispy fried salmon toast is enhanced by a sprinkle of lemon juice, some whole grain mustard, and dilly crisp pickle chips. A sparkling drink would be delightful to serve with these appetizers.
Cocktail Pairing: Sangria Blanca, p. 216, Every Cocktail Has a Twist
See More – Toasty Salmon Sesame Snacks
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Wrap and Roll Sandwich Snacks
It’s fast and easy to make these little spirals with tender tortillas.
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About the Recipe: Using tortillas to make wrap sandwich snacks makes entertaining easy. These can be made ahead and changed by using different deli-fresh meat or cream cheese flavors. The flour tortilla wraps also come in different flavors. Your guests will be delighted by the surprise flavors you wrap and roll up.
Cocktail Pairing: Arugula Gimlet, p. 96, Every Cocktail Has a Twist
See More – Wrap and Roll Sandwich Snacks
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Spirited Cocktail Party Balls
Make four different flavors with one recipe.
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About the Recipe: Imagine making 4 different flavored dessert truffle balls using only 1 recipe. Dividing the batter into four bowls, adding different flavors and spices is a great way to make this grownup favorite. I used rum, orange liquor, bourbon, and banana liquor with spice cookies crumbs and chocolate graham cracker crumbs. These are very mild so don’t worry about having too much alcohol. They are so easy to make and can be stored away to use for the holidays.
Cocktail Pairing: Jack Rose Toddy, p. 100, Every Cocktail Has a Twist
See More – Spirited Cocktail Party Balls
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