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 for a cocktail party 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 A Cocktail 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.

Party Menu	Dishes to Choose From
Hors d'Oeuvres	Crab Dumplings Swedish Meatballs Tortellini in Vodka Sauce Asparagus in Puff Pastry Hot Dogs in Puff Pastry Black Bean Bruschetta Provençal Potato Cups Asparagus Spring Rolls Mushroom Quiche Caps Spinach Parmesan Balls Crab Stuffed Pepperoncini Spinach and Goat Cheese Tartlets Lemongrass-Cured Salmon Canapes Caramalized Tomato Salad Toasted Bread with Burrata and Arugula Smoked Ricotta Fritters
Pizzettas	Mini Shrimp Calzones Grilled Veggie Pizza Bolognese Bread Pizza Scallop and Bacon Pizza Potato and Pancetta Pizza Mini Cheese and Olive Calzones Roasted Acorn Squash and Gorgonzola Pizza White Pizza with Arugula Egg, Ham and Spinach Pizza Ricotta and Cherry Focaccia Pizza Caramelized Onion, Sausage and Basil Pizza Arugula, Ricotta and Smoked Mozzarella Pizza Arugula, Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Pizza
Skewers	Molasses-Mustard Glazed Pork Marinated Feta and Olive Skewers Grilled Shrimp and Chorizo Skewers Marinated Grilled Cherry Tomatoes Garlic-Mustard Grilled Beef Skewers Tomato, Watermelon and Basil Skewers Grilled Pork Skewers with Chile Sauce Indian Curry Lamb with Nectarine Chutney Grilled Swordfish with Coconut and Key Lime Sherry Vinegar Steak Sauce and Grilled Scallions
Platters	Seafood Platter Antipasto Platter Fresh Fruit Platter Assorted Cheese Platter Grilled Vegetables Platter Walnut Praline Brie and Fruit Platter Ground Gyros Platter Grilled Tuna Nicoise Platter Italian Meats and Cheese Platter Roasted Salmon Nicoise Platter Walnut Praline Brie and Fruit Platter Ham, Country Pate and Cheese Platter
Desserts	Fruit Pies Yogurt and Fruit Dessert Cup Coconut Banana Cupcakes Orange Cream Liqueur Dessert Fresh Fruits and Dessert Cheeses Grilled Plum and Goat Cheese Dessert Fruit Tarts Viennese Table Assorted Cakes Italian Pastries Assorted Brownies International Cheese Sweet Dessert Panini Tortilla Dessert Wraps

Whether you are an experienced cocktail party 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.