Countdown to the Next Year: The Holiday Menu.

When it comes to throwing parties, guests often separate into a pair of very different camps: people that love doing it, and people that would prefer to do almost anything else. Being prepared in advance is essential, and selecting a few scrumptious dishes to start the evening will amuse your visitors while you aim to hold everything together.

Spicy Almonds with Fennel, Lemon & Paprika

Zesty almond snack

These citrusy, spicy snacks prove to be a perfect companion for the refreshing pink grapefruit mocktails featured below.

Savory Blinis Topped with Salmon and Ricotta

Delicious starter with blinis

A delicious festive first course that can conveniently be adapted to present with a sweet garnish for younger guests.

Refreshing Grapefruit Mocktails with Cardamom & Lime

Vibrant non-alcoholic drink

These concoctions are a zesty alternative to alcohol, but also serve as a wonderful ingredient for a tequila-based drink.

Lemon-Infused Juniper Martinis

Classic martini cocktail

Handcrafted gin for a particularly festive celebration martini, perfect for sharing or serving at gatherings.

Shredded Lamb Shoulder with Sumac Onion Salad

Succulent lamb dish

Enjoy the praise of this show-stopping spread – your guests will for a moment suspect how minimal effort was needed.

Chocolate Tart with Spiced Cranberry

Rich chocolate cranberry tart

In this indulgent finale, pockets of spiced cranberry compote are nestled into a chocolaty base for a duo that makes any abundance of cranberries to delicious purpose.

Christine Mitchell
Christine Mitchell

A wildlife biologist with over a decade of experience studying sloths in Central America, passionate about conservation and environmental education.