Throwing a party for the holidays or another celebration? This list of 15 healthy cocktail party recipes will help you pull it all off effortlessly.
My idea of cocktail party recipes has changed over the years. When I was in college, inevitably most "cocktail parties" involved beer, shots made with some sort of throat-searing alcohol, bags of Doritos and boxes of takeout pizza. Most of my male friends would roll their eyes when the girls tried to elevate the party standards by bringing plates of hors d'oeuvres - stuffed mushrooms, bacon-wrapped scallops and and at least one spinach artichoke dip were always present. But you know what? The guys were always the ones crowded around the appetizer table, wolfing down all of the hors d'oeuvres. Roll your eyes all you want, boys. You know you loved our appies!
These days, there's always a good reason for a cocktail party! Christmas, New Year's Eve, anniversary celebration, birthday bash, or just because it's a random Friday night in the middle of March. And I always walk away a happy host or guest if there's a lineup of healthy cocktail party recipes.
Below are some of my favorite hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, many with make-ahead options. You could argue that cocktails shouldn't be included in a list of healthy recipes, but these particular cocktails are made with natural sweeteners and fruit juices. In my mind, they get a pass into the healthy category.
Whether it's a cranberry kamikaze shot (something for the wilder party goers) or my favorite Mediterranean 7-Layer Dip, there's something here for everyone.
15 Healthy Cocktail Party Recipes:
This post was originally posted on December 9, 2016, and was updated on September 26, 2019.
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.
So many amazing looking recipe to try! Great round-up!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
I'll be making those Chili Lime Shrimp and mushroom cups asap! Everything on this list looks amazing! mmm those drinks though...mmm I might have to make those too!
Jen @ The Weary Chef
This is a great round up! Love each of these recipe!
Erin @ The Speckled Palate
I'm all for cocktail parties these days, too, because they're definitely an upgrade from the stuff we did in college. 😉 And those Cranberry Prosecco Cocktails look so darn festive and delicious. I can imagine a party featuring these recipes would be a hit!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
Great roundup, so many terrific options!
Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie
These all look so yummy! I want to try them all!
Michelle | A Latte Food
This is such a fabulous round up! It's always so good to have plenty of appetizer recipes on hand!