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Make-Ahead Cocktail Party Recipes

Throw a fancy, fuss-free cocktail party at a moment's notice.
By Sara Schwartz
<p>Get these savory little egg-based pastries done ahead of time and freeze until the day of the party. The dough comes together quickly, so have all your ingredients prepped when you start.</p><br /><p><b>Recipe: <a href="/recipefinder/lemon-parsley-gougeres-recipe" target="_blank">Lemon-Parsley Gougères</a> </b></p>
Courtesy of Martha Stewart
By shopping early and using make-ahead recipes, you can throw a fancy, fuss-free cocktail party at a moment's notice. Your guests will be sipping ruby-hued rum punch and popping savory homemade pastries by the handful, while you sit back and admire your handiwork. What? Your friends don't like punch, you say? Prepare a couple of virgin mixers, such as Apricot-Ginger and Cranberry, and set them out on a self-serve table with ice, seltzer, and a small assortment of spirits. Accompany with one or more of these delectable appetizers and your party will be in full swing in no time.Need more small bites? Check out some of our favorite appetizers for parties.
1

Lemon-Parsley Gougères

<p>Get these savory little egg-based pastries done ahead of time and freeze until the day of the party. The dough comes together quickly, so have all your ingredients prepped when you start.</p><br /><p><b>Recipe: <a href="/recipefinder/lemon-parsley-gougeres-recipe" target="_blank">Lemon-Parsley Gougères</a> </b></p>
Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Get these savory little egg-based pastries done ahead of time and freeze until the day of the party. The dough comes together quickly, so have all your ingredients prepped when you start.


Recipe: Lemon-Parsley Gougères

2

White Bean Hummus

<p>White beans stand in for chickpeas in this herbed reinterpretation of the classic Middle Eastern dip. In less than 20 minutes, this creamy dip will be ready for the appetizer table.</p><br /><p><b>Recipe: <a href="/recipefinder/white-bean-hummus-kalamata-relish-recipe" target="_blank">White Bean Hummus</a> </b></p>
Courtesy of Martha Stewart

White beans stand in for chickpeas in this herbed reinterpretation of the classic Middle Eastern dip. In less than 20 minutes, this creamy dip will be ready for the appetizer table.


Recipe: White Bean Hummus

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3

Bacon-Wrapped Dates

<p>A dazzling main event deserves an equally appealing, well-crafted hors d'oeuvre. These salty, smoky morsels composed of bacon, pistachios, and dried fruit are guaranteed to whet appetites, not ruin them.</p><br /><p><b>Recipe: <a href="/recipefinder/bacon-wrapped-dates-recipe" target="_blank">Bacon-Wrapped Dates</a></b>
Courtesy of Martha Stewart

A dazzling main event deserves an equally appealing, well-crafted hors d'oeuvre. These salty, smoky morsels composed of bacon, pistachios, and dried fruit are guaranteed to whet appetites, not ruin them.


Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Dates

4

Double-Dipping Shrimp?

It's inappropriate (and unhealthy) to put food you've nibbled on back into a communal sauce. Even if you turn the shrimp around to an unbitten side, it's still wrong. Others might not know the steps you've taken trying to keep things sanitary. The correct move is to spoon some sauce onto your own plate, and then dunk as many times as you'd like.
Juanmonino
It's inappropriate (and unhealthy) to put food you've nibbled on back into a communal sauce. Even if you turn the shrimp around to an unbitten side, it's still wrong. Others might not know the steps you've taken trying to keep things sanitary. The correct move is to spoon some sauce onto your own plate, and then dunk as many times as you'd like.
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5

Cheese Balls Three Ways

<p>Make all three flavored cheese balls or prepare just one or two, adjusting the ingredients accordingly. You can prepare these beauties up to three days ahead or up to a month, if frozen.</p><br /><p><b>Recipe: <a href="/recipefinder/cheese-balls-three-ways" target="_blank">Cheese Balls Three Ways</a> </b></p>
Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Make all three flavored cheese balls or prepare just one or two, adjusting the ingredients accordingly. You can prepare these beauties up to three days ahead or up to a month, if frozen.


Recipe: Cheese Balls Three Ways

6

Smoked Salmon with Herbed Goat Cheese and Toast

<p>Let guests help themselves to an artfully arranged platter of glossy, pink smoked salmon, toasts, and condiments. Once you've stirred together the goat cheese and dill, your work is almost done.</p><br /><p><b>Recipe: <a href="/recipefinder/smoked-salmon-herbed-goat-cheese-toast-recipe" target="_blank">Smoked Salmon with Herbed Goat Cheese and Toast</a> </b></p>
Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Let guests help themselves to an artfully arranged platter of glossy, pink smoked salmon, toasts, and condiments. Once you've stirred together the goat cheese and dill, your work is almost done.


Recipe: Smoked Salmon with Herbed Goat Cheese and Toast

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7

Drink Ideas

<p>Punch is an easy way to go for groups, but it's fun to provide a variety of options for your guests. Prepare a couple of mixers the day before and get your punch ready the day of.</p><br /><p><b>Recipes:</p><p><a href="/recipefinder/blood-orange-punch-recipe" target="_blank">Blood-Orange Punch</a> (pictured)</p><p><a href="/recipefinder/green-apple-martini-martha-recipe" target="_blank">Green Apple Martini</a></p><p><a href="/recipefinder/apricot-ginger-fizz-mixer-recipe" target="_blank">Apricot-Ginger Fizz Mixer</a></p><p><a href="/recipefinder/cranberry-cocktail-mixer-recipe" target="_blank">Cranberry Cocktail Mixer</a></p></b>
Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Punch is an easy way to go for groups, but it's fun to provide a variety of options for your guests. Prepare a couple of mixers the day before and get your punch ready the day of.


Recipes:

Blood-Orange Punch (pictured)

Green Apple Martini

Apricot-Ginger Fizz Mixer

Cranberry Cocktail Mixer

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