We’ve all been to those parties where the food is an after thought. It’s really a lost opportunity to elevate your party. Food plays a big role in the success of a party, and it’s important to put at least a little thought into what pairs well with the cocktails you’ll be serving.
Every cocktail party needs appetizers, to soak up the booze and keep party guests happy, but you can easily elevate your cocktail party by serving appetizers that are creative, delicious, and pair well with cocktails.
»Looking for some great cocktails to serve? You might like these White Rum Cocktails or these World Famous Cocktails.
Irresistible Teriyaki Salmon Bites
These Teriyaki Salmon Bites are coated in a sweet teriyaki glaze and fried to perfection, then topped with sesame seeds and green onions, to make an irresistible appetizer. The light and crisp flavors of a Cucumber Vodka Cooler complement the savory and slightly sweet teriyaki salmon bites, creating a refreshing and balanced pairing.
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Delicious Baked Brie with Garlic
This Baked Brie With Garlic appetizer is a mild-flavored creamy cheese stuffed with garlic, drizzled with olive oil, and baked until gooey and delicious.the effervescent and citrusy profile of a French 75, made with gin, champagne, lemon juice, and simple syrup, provides a refreshing and elegant contrast to the rich and savory baked brie, making it a
sophisticated and enjoyable pairing.
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sophisticated and enjoyable pairing.
Potato Rosti Canapes
Potato Rosti Canapes make for the perfect appetizer featuring crispy golden rosti topped with creamy creme fraiche and delicate smoked salmon.
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Corn Dip With Cream Cheese
If you're looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack, this delicious corn dip with cream cheese recipe is the one. Made with cream cheese, green chilies, sweetcorn, and Mexican cheese.The crisp and minty profile of a Mojito provides a refreshing and herbaceous accompaniment to the rich and flavorful corn dip, making it a versatile and enjoyable pairing.
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Reuben Bites
If you're a fan of the classic Reuben sandwich, you'll love these Reuben Bites made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing. The spicy ginger beer and dark rum in the Dark and Stormy complement the savory flavors of the Reuben bites, creating a refreshing and harmonious combination.
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Sweet & Salty Chex Mix
This Sweet & Salty Chex Mix recipe is a perfect blend of flavors that are irresistible. The combination of crunchy Chex cereal, toasted pecans, and peanuts coated in a rich mixture of brown sugar, butter, and dark corn syrup creates a delicious snack.The zesty and citrusy notes of a classic margarita complement the sweet and salty flavors of the Chex Mix,
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Million Dollar Bacon
The name Million Dollar Bacon comes from its luxurious flavor. Yummy pieces of thick bacon covered in brown sugar, spices, and maple syrup. It’s the perfect mix of sweet, spicy, and salty. Two cocktails that pair well with candied bacon are a Maple Bourbon Smash and a Spiced Rum Old Fashioned.
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BLT Crostini Appetizer
BLT Crostini Appetizers feature crispy bacon, juicy cherry tomatoes, and mayo that come together on a toasted baguette slice, creating a tasty bite-sized treat.Two cocktails that pair well with a BLT crostini are a classic Bloody Mary and a crisp, refreshing Gin and Tonic.
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French Onion Bites
French Onion Bites are made with phyllo pastry and filled with sweet caramelized onions and Gruyere cheese just like the famous French onion soup we all love, but in appetizer form. The classic combination in an Old Fashioned of bourbon or rye whiskey, sugar, bitters, and an orange twist complements the rich and savory flavors of French onion bites.
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Bruschetta with Mozzarella, Seared Tomatoes & Roasted Garlic
This delicious bruschetta recipe with seared cherry tomatoes, roasted garlic and burrata is a decadent antipasto that will dress up your cocktail party nicely.⚯ The subtle, warm flavor of orange liqueur makes an excellent pairing for the mild taste of burrata. A Tangerine Champagne cocktail will pair nicely with this appetizer.
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Photo credit: www.shekeepsalovelyhome.com
Everything But the Bagel Dip
Everything But the Bagel Dip is a velvety, savory appetizer that will elevate your snack game at parties, gatherings, or just a cozy night in.Cocktails that pair well with cream cheese dip are those that complement the rich and creamy flavors of the dip while providing a refreshing and balanced contrast, like a moscow mule or margarita.
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Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus (Keto Friendly!)
These prosciutto-wrapped asparagus spears make a great finger food for a cocktail party. They’re easy to make and cook before the party, so you can have extra on hand to restock the plate, and they go well with a number of cocktails. ⚯ Asparagus and bacon pair well with a Bloody Mary or Bloody Maria (which uses tequila instead of vodka). It also pairs well with a margarita or a smoky mezcal cocktail.
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Photo credit: delightfullylowcarb.com
Dark Chocolate-Dipped Figs with Gorgonzola
These Dark Chocolate Figs with Gorgonzola Cheese are served as an appetizer or dessert, your guests will fall in love. The ingredients are simple, but they all work so well together. ⚯ Pair these dark chocolate figs pair well with and Old Fashioned or Manhattan The sweetness and caramel notes of the whiskey/rye go well with gorgonzola cheese and dried fruit.
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Photo credit: wearenotmartha.com
Honey Goat Cheese Balls | Quick Easy Recipe!
Easy to make and so delicious, goat cheese balls are perfect cocktail party appetizers. The tangy, lemony flavors in goat cheese, as well as the grassy and herbaceous flavors, go well with gin.⚯ Pair these honey goat cheese balls with a fruity gin cocktail, like this Raspberry Lemon Gin & Tonic.
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Photo credit: www.confettiandbliss.com
30-Minute Marinated Mozzarella Balls
These Mozzarella balls are perfect for cocktail hour. Cheese always goes well with cocktails, beer, and wine, so you can’t go wrong. But mozzarella pairs especially well with strawberry and black pepper, or anything smoky. It’s also an easy finger food that you can eat while sipping. ⚯ Pair these mozzarella balls with a strawberry & black pepper infused vodka or a smoky mezcal cocktail.
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Photo credit: wowitsveggie.com
Mini Bacon and Onion Pasties
Caramelized bacon and onion is encased in flaky puff pastry to make a delicious appetizer. These are perfect for a cocktail party because the sour citrus in a cocktail cuts through the fat in the pastry and bacon. Your guests will love this combo. ⚯ These mini pasties pair well with a Smoky Mezcal Sour or a Mojito.
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Photo credit: itsnotcomplicatedrecipes.com
Puff Pastry Pinwheels with Prosciutto
These Puff Pastry Pinwheels are easy-to-make. Just roll up prosciutto and grated gruyère cheese in puff pastry dough, then slice and bake. The gruyère cheese has a mild and nutty, sweet flavor and goes well with many drinks, especially red wine.⚯ Gruyère pairs well with whiskey. Pair this appetizer with an Amaretto Sour or a Boulevardier.
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Photo credit: www.vanillabeancuisine.com
Mushroom Gruyere Tartlets
These cheesy baked Mushroom Gruyere Tartlets are easy to make and are an impressive appetizer for a party. The savory umami notes pair well with a number of cocktails. ⚯ A Sidecar pairs perfectly with these mushroom tartlets. The aromas of citrus and cognac go well with mushroom.
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Photo credit: www.therusticfoodie.com
Easy Prosciutto Wrapped Pears with Arugula – Whole30
These little treats are deliciously sweet AND savory, which is a great pairing with any drink that uses simple syrup or tonic and lime. These are also a great choice for parties because they are gluten and dairy free, plus low-carb and Whole30. So there’s something for everyone.⚯ A gin & tonic will go well with this appetizer and so will our Ginger Pear Martini.
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Photo credit: cookathomemom.com
Fig and Bacon Jam Crostini Recipe ~ Barley & Sage
These crostini are topped with creamy goat cheese, homemade bacon jam, and fresh figs. They make a great finger food for a cocktail party.⚯ Figs pair with all kinds of flavors, from tart fruit liqueurs to spicy ginger. With the bacon and goat cheese in this appetizer too, a perfect pairing is a Mezcal Sunset or a Smoky Mezcal Sour.
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Photo credit: www.barleyandsage.com
Sweet and Spicy Cream Cheese Dip
This Cream Cheese Dip appetizer recipe is a total snap to throw together in moments (like … 3 minutes flat)! It absolutely disappears every time, and everybody asks for the recipe!⚯ The salty flavor of soft cheeses, like cream cheese, pairs well with a mellow, slightly sweet liquor like rum mixed with a fruit juice. Try a Pineapple Rum Slush or a Mango Mojito.
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Photo credit: twohealthykitchens.com
Strawberry Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze
You’ve probably never thought of pairing strawberries with cheese or balsamic before. It sounds like an odd pairing, but in reality strawberries pair beautifully with the rich balsamic glaze and fresh basil. ⚯ Strawberry is an easy food to pair with cocktails. There are so many great summer cocktails that all go well with this appetizer. Also try a Daiquiri and a Strawberry Black Pepper Vodka Smash.
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Photo credit: afoodloverskitchen.com
Cucumber Appetizers
Cucumber Appetizers with Smoked Salmon (Gravlax) and Black Caviar are healthy appetizers. These easy Hors d’oeuvres or Zakuski are perfect for your next party. These Cucumber Bites don’t require cooking, are low carb and gluten free.⚯ Smoked salmon and caviar is a fun cocktail pairing. The salty and smoky taste pair well with any Champagne cocktail, like a French 75 or a Kir Royale cocktail.
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Photo credit: petersfoodadventures.com
Deviled Avocado Quail Eggs
These adorable little devilled avocado quail eggs are great for cocktail parties. Everyone loves devilled eggs and these are just small enough to pop in your mouth as you hold a conversation.⚯ Citrus is a great pairing with avocado and it goes well with the richness of the devilled eggs, as well. Pair this fun appetizers with a mimosa or a pink grapefruit martini.
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Photo credit: juliarecipes.com
Before You Go
Delicious appetizers that pair well with great cocktails definitely make a statement. Your guests will be so impressed with the extra effort you put in. Here are a few more articles we think you might enjoy.
- 35 Game Day Appetizers & Snacks
- 10 Hot Tailgating Dips for Game Day
- 10 Perfect Cocktails for a Summer Cookout
- 15 Soul-Satisfying Warm Fall Drinks
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Laura is the founder and editor of the travel blogs Savored Sips and Savored Journeys. She is dedicated to sharing the best information about drinks found around the world.
These recipes are truly delightful. The chocolate figs one is the one I will try first. Then the bruschetta and oysters. Thank you for this valuable post.
Now I want to have a cocktail party just so I can make some of these tasty treats!!! They look so elegant and gorgeous.
I can’t wait until we can have people round for cocktails again – I will definitely be making these.
These all look fantastic! Can’t wait to try every single one of them!
These all look so perfect for entertaining! I do miss hosting get-togethers with my friends & family.
So many delicious ideas in this post – thank you so much for sharing!
Wonderful appetizers 👌I can’t wait to try them all. Bring on the party girl 🥳
Love these ideas! So many great recipes to choose from–I’m not sure where to start! 🙂
Great suggestions here! I am totally trying those mushroom tarts.
Thank you so much, these pairing ideas are so helpful! My husband’s birthday is this week, and I’m creating a small “in-home bar” as a gift. He’s always enjoyed cocktails and wants to learn to make them. These appetizer ideas are lovely and classy, and helpful to know what to make to eat. I think he’ll love the bruschetta, especially.
What a great idea, Joanna. I hope the bruschetta turns out great. Cheers!
What a tantalizing lineup! These appetizers aren’t just a treat for the taste buds but also for the eyes. I’m already planning my next cocktail party and impress my guests with these delicious options!
Thanks! I’m glad you found us. Cheers!
Thank you for sharing this fantastic roundup!
So glad you liked it!