Cocktail Party Menu Ideas

For a busy host or hostess, nothing is more relaxing than knowing that the guests are enjoying the party and having a good time. All the hard work and running around to get the party coordinated, selecting the venue, organizing fun activities for the guests, and most of all, selecting the drinks and food gets paid off. Whether the party is held for family members, close friends, neighbors, or business associates, the menu for drinks and food is the most important. The menu actually sets things in motion while you are planning the entire event. Once that bridge is crossed, then it's definitely smoothing sailing from there. To help you ease into things and get your party organized, we have come up with some delicious party food ideas for you to select from. The cocktail menu mentioned below is not too difficult to come up with once you have a head count of your guests and the type of menu is decided. Read the rest of the article to find out in detail what a cocktail party menu would be like.

Menu for the Party

The best thing about cocktail parties is that the guests can actually mingle with one another without having to sit at the dinner table and stare at their food in silence. Appetizers, antipasto, variety of pizzas, and desserts prepared in a gourmet style is very elegant and versatile. You can either serve the dishes mentioned in the menu table below as a prelude to the meal or serve them for the entire meal. To make your party a great success and keep your guests on their toes, here are some sample menu ideas which you can choose from or take into consideration.

Hors d'oeuvres

• Crab Dumplings
• Swedish Meatballs
• Tortellini in Vodka Sauce
• Asparagus in Puff Pastry
• Hot Dogs in Puff Pastry
• Black Bean Bruschetta
• Provenal Potato Cups
• Asparagus Spring Rolls
• Mushroom Quiche Caps
• Spinach Parmesan Balls
• Crab Stuffed Pepperoncini
• Spinach & Goat Cheese Tartlets
• Lemongrass-Cured Salmon Canapes
• Caramalized Tomato Salad
• Toasted Bread with Burrata & Arugula
• Smoked Ricotta Fritters

Pizzettas

• Mini Shrimp Calzones
• Grilled Veggie Pizza
• Bolognese Bread Pizza
• Scallop & Bacon Pizza
• Potato & Pancetta Pizza
• Mini Cheese & Olive Calzones
• Roasted Acorn Squash & Gorgonzola Pizza
• White Pizza with Arugula
• Egg, Ham & Spinach Pizza
• Ricotta & Cherry Focaccia Pizza
• Caramelized Onion, Sausage & Basil Pizza
• Arugula, Ricotta & Smoked Mozzarella Pizza
• Arugula, Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Pizza
• Asparagus Pizzettas with Fontina & Prosciutto
• Fig & Prosciutto Pizzettas
• Spinach, Soft Egg & Parmesan Pizzetta

Skewers

• Molasses-Mustard Glazed Pork
• Marinated Feta & Olive Skewers
• Grilled Shrimp & Chorizo Skewers
• Marinated Grilled Cherry Tomatoes
• Garlic-Mustard Grilled Beef Skewers
• Tomato, Watermelon & Basil Skewers
• Grilled Pork Skewers with Chile Sauce
• Indian Curry Lamb with Nectarine Chutney
• Grilled Swordfish with Coconut & Key Lime
• Sherry Vinegar Steak Sauce & Grilled Scallions
• Scallop & Cherry Tomato Skewers
• Thai Chicken Sat

Platters

• Seafood Platter
• Antipasto Platter
• Fresh Fruit Platter
• Assorted Cheese Platter
• Grilled Vegetables Platter
• Walnut Praline Brie & Fruit Platter
• Ground Gyros Platter
• Grilled Tuna Nicoise Platter
• Italian Meats & Cheese Platter
• Roasted Salmon Nicoise Platter
• Walnut Praline Brie & Fruit Platter
• Ham, Country Pate & Cheese Platter

Desserts

• Fruit Pies
• Yogurt & Fruit Dessert Cup
• Coconut Banana Cupcakes
• Orange Cream Liqueur Dessert
• Fresh Fruits & Dessert Cheeses
• Grilled Plum & Goat Cheese Dessert
• Fruit Tarts
• Viennese Table
• Assorted Cakes
• Italian Pastries
• Assorted Brownies
• International Cheese
• Sweet Dessert Panini
• Tortilla Dessert Wraps

Cocktails

• Strawberry Daiquiri
• New Orleans Fizz
• Black Russian
• Tequila Sunrise
• Between the Sheets
• Cosmopolitan
• Bahama Mama
• Frisco Sour
• Knickerbocker
• Long Island Iced Tea
• Whiskey Smash
• Sake Bomb
• Brain Hemorrhage
• Singapore Sling

Whether you are an experienced host or hostess, or an amateur, entertaining your guests can be a smooth process. Set a theme for the party (depending on the menu; Italian, Mexican, Indian), ask the guests to dress up accordingly, and decorate the venue as well. Add your own creative touch while planning the party menu and see how the party becomes memorable.