Get Into the Holiday ‘Spirits’

Fun cocktail and appetizer recipes for your festive party

Whether you’re hosting a festive party or attending one, refreshments are a must for every occasion. Julia Charles’s new book, Festive Cocktails & Canapés, is full of drink and hors d'oeuvre recipes for your holiday get-togethers.

The book is organized by event, so it’s easy to find the perfect recipe to wow your guests. With “Bar Cart Classics ,”“Sparkle rs& Aperitifs ,”“Themed Party Drinks” and “Dessert Cocktails & Nightcaps,” there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Author Charles has compiled recipes for cocktail classics (such as a dry martini, an old-fashioned and a Manhattan), but she also isn’t afraid of creative drinks such as the "Peruvian Pisco Sour," made with lemon juice and egg white, and the "Appleblack," with apple and black currant flavors.

Along with more than 65 cocktail recipes, Charles’s book features appetizers and hors d'oeuvre recipes to pair with your drinks. For instance, keep it simple with cheese straws and prawns or go all out to impress your guests with endive cups with Roquefort mousse, pear and candied walnuts.

Whether you’re hosting a party or bringing an appetizer as a guest, there are tons of great recipes to elevate your festive gathering.

Here are just a few cocktail recipes to get your imagination—and appetite—going.

This refreshment table features two appetizer recipes from the book: grilled lamb skewers with saffron custard, and sticky dates, lemon feta and walnuts. While the saffron sauce has the consistency of custard, it doesn’t contain any eggs. You can also substitute chorizo for the walnuts for those with nut allergies.