Shaken or Stirred

“Dry martini,
Jigger of gin,
Oh, what a spell you’ve got me in,
Oh my, do I feel high…” Scotch & Soda by the Kingston Trio

Years ago we wanted to host a Christmas party but the chance of wedging ourselves into everyone’s holiday schedule was slim. So we decided to hold the party in February when pretty much no one is having a big shindig but everyone could really use one. Thus, Frosty Cocktails was born.

THE SET UP*:

We have now held Frosty Cocktails in three different houses. (Yes, we’ve moved a lot – a story for a different post.) And the layout has remained the same. I am a huge proponent of using your space – all of your space.

One of the hallmarks of Frosty Cocktails are the build your own Manhattan Bar and Martini Bar. We stage the manhattan and martini bars on different levels of the house. The main bar – all the things – tequilas, bourbons, scotches, etc. is on the primary floor of the house. The kitchen is ground zero for red and white wines, champagne, and mocktails.

FOOD*:

Frosty Cocktails is usually held around 7pm – after dinner time – but given the heavy emphasis on alcohol, substantial hors d’ouevres are essential.

I usually have a mix of light appetizers with a rotation of heavy appetizers including sandwiches and substantive dips to keep the food / alcohol ratio balanced.

This year’s menu included:

Artichoke Dip and Triscuits
Caviar Bar with cottage cheese, hard boiled egg yolks & whites, white onion, saltines, everything potato chips (placed by the martini bar)
Mini Quiches
Pepper jelly, cream cheese and triscuits
Relish tray with stuffed red peppers, grilled artichokes, grilled olives, spicy okra, black olives, cornichons
Cheese tray with baguette
Charcuterie board
Vegetable tray
Shrimp Cocktail
Ham & Cheese Sandwiches – Honey baked ham on Hawaiian Rolls
Cucumber Sandwiches with cream cheese and fresh dill on pumpernickel bread

WHAT TO WEAR:

Well, that is the question….

The beauty of Frosty Cocktails is that the dress code is creative cocktail attire. This year, I was deciding between an A-line long sleeve sheath with marabou feather cuffs and a long wrap dress a la vintage Diane von Furstenberg. Spoiler alert – the wrap dress won.