Party drinks really make an event that much more fun, special, and memorable. A 2023 cocktail trend includes cocktails that are paired with a snack! For those of you planning a party and looking to try something unique, these cocktails with a small plate of nibbles are perfect. Attention-getting drinks take advantage of yummy food ingredients that not only amp up your presentation of your cocktails but satisfy your event guests’ hunger.
Feast Your Eyes on these Party Drinks
Over-the-Top Bloody Marys
If a Bloody Mary can't fill your belly, then maybe you're not making it right! For your next party or event, think about adding food items like shrimp, crab cake, a small slider, bacon, grilled cheese wedge, olives, and pickles galore! The height and the presentation of these drinks can be magnificent and are sure to make an impression at your next event. Bloody Marys are wonderful at brunch parties and can be made non-alcoholic.
Oyster Martinis
Oysters add a very unique flavor to a cocktail, so this is probably why they are finding their way to signature cocktails. Oysters on the half shell fit perfectly on a small plate next to a cocktail. The Publican in Chicago displays beautiful oysters on a tiered display.
You can even delicately place the oysters on top of a wide-rimmed glass. Think about pairing oysters with martinis, where the saltiness of the oysters pairs well. If you go a sweeter route, the flavor of a daiquiri definitely offsets the flavor of the oysters and makes for a wonderful summertime event drink and food combo.
Say Negroni and Cheese!
Classic Negroni signature drinks are wonderful for parties. Because this cocktail has a distinct bitterness, it is wonderfully paired with strong cheeses, meats, and other savories. Charcuterie boards make a great snack option for Negroni cocktails. Pick cheeses like aged Parmesan or Romano and something like blue cheese or goat cheese. Bacon, prosciutto, and smoked meats also are wonderful to add.
Sangria! It’s Almost a Salad!
If you add enough fruits or veggies, your signature Sangria could almost be considered a salad! While traditional Sangria is commonly made with an assortment of fruit, you could think outside of the box a bit. Think about other recipes, such as one with cucumbers and white wine. Sangria is a great event drink as it can be batched for groups of people and put in beautiful pitchers for parties. If you want to offer a non-alcoholic option, a punch loaded with fresh fruit is a wonderful party drink.
Tequila and Mini Tacos
Think about fun bite-sized foods, like mini tacos, and how much better that they can taste when in small portions. These make great pairings with special cocktails like your signature Margaritas. EventUp customer Del Frisco’s does a tasty-looking small plate of tacos that go with their Hornitos Tequila cocktails.
Milk and Cookies for Big Kids
An adult version of milk and cookies makes for a wonderful party cocktail especially served along with dessert. Try adding milk or even ice cream into many of the flavored liqueurs like Kahlua, Amaretto, Chambord, and vanilla vodka. Make your cocktail special by rimming the glass with some sparkly sugar and serving it with a small platter of delicate, delicious cookies or biscuits. Have fun with your presentation to make your party drink feel a bit nostalgic with your glassware, complete with a straw.
Hungry for more?
We’ve inspired you to serve little side dishes that pair specific snacks with cocktails to enhance your next party. If you need to find the perfect lounge for your amazing cocktails, check out EventUp, which hosts 15,000 + venues available for all types of private events in eight different countries. Search by city, specific amenity, guest count, venue aesthetic, and much more to find the perfect venue for any future event.
