#Party food #Seasonal

How to throw an amazing Christmas drinks and nibbles party

06. November 2023

If you are planning a drinks party over the Christmas holidays follow our guide to planning the perfect soiree with some delicious cocktails and nibbles ideas.

Invites

Remember to send out invites as early as possible as December is one of the busiest times of the year for socialising and dates get booked up quickly. Unless you are planning a formal party, there is no need to send out cards. Creating a Facebook event is helpful as all the details are stored in one place - you can see who has accepted, final numbers as well as finding out info like special dietary requirements. WhatsApp Groups and round-robin emails are also good, but you have to keep an eye on the correspondence threads.

Make sure you don’t over cater on numbers, both in terms of your budget and also the venue capacity!

Theme

At this time of year, it is fun to tie everything into a theme. It could be a glamourous, dressy affair such as a 1920’s prohibition party with decorations, drinks and food to match; or it could be silly and relatively economical e.g put up the tree, serve Christmas themed food and mulled wine and ask everyone to come wearing a Christmas jumper!

Make the room look warm and inviting but resist using candles which are a fire hazard. Instead you can use battery operated candles and tea lights to good effect. Decorate the table with mini Christmas crackers, sparkly sequins and evergreen sprigs to make it look festive.

Drinks

It is perfectly acceptable to ask guests to bring a bottle, but ensure you have a good selection of spirits – gin, vodka and rum are most popular – plus some soft drinks and mixers such as fruit juice, tonic, lemonade and cola. A few bottles of fizz plus red and white wine would also get the party going - supermarkets offer some very good deals by the case in December.

Cocktails are another hit at parties, but can be time consuming to make. Either ask someone to be “bartender” for the night, or make up larger batches and keep them in the fridge ready.

Rich Woods, aka The Cocktail guy has put his own twist on two classic cocktails using Kikkoman soy sauce! It really works. Why not play a “guess the secret ingredient” game with your guests?

Nibbles

If you are going to be serving drinks then you’ll need food to soak up the alcohol! Canapes are good as it means you can socialise round the room, or set up a buffet table for people to help themselves.

Recipes

Japanese style Ginger Chicken Arancini Recipe

Maki Sushi with Sardines & Basil and Salmon Poke

Soy & Honey BBQ Chicken Wings

Asian Salmon & Pepper Skewers

Mayonnaise dip mixed with soy sauce

Easy Japanese Gyoza Recipe

Double Black Velvet

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Recipe Inspiration

Beef & broccoli noodle stir-fry

Chicken and pepper stir-fry with pineapple & chilli

Crispy duck & vegetable stir-fry in plum & soy sauce

Scallop stir-fry with cauliflower & peas

Spicy egg fried rice with vegetables & harissa

Spicy harissa salmon & veg stir-fry

Sweet & sour vegetable stir-fry

Thai-style green curry chicken stir-fry

Thai-style minced pork stir-fry with cabbage & chilli

Tofu & mushroom udon-noodle stir-fry

Winter Sun Cocktail

Green Goddess Cocktail

Cranberry and miso cod with nut topping

Matcha cheesecake with fruity gems

Cream of sweetcorn soup with crunchy kernels

Crispy chicken with wasabi, mushroom & peanut dips

Curried seafood gratin with béchamel

Fruity roast vegetable & furikake donburi

Duck breast with blackberry sauce & miso potatoes

Crispy fish takoyaki with teriyaki peanut dip

Cabbage & mushroom gyoza dumplings with cranberries

Umami lentil lasagne with a cheesy sesame crust

Okonomiyaki with sauerkraut and spicy raisin sauce

Sweet onigirazu sandwiches with strawberry mascarpone

Shabu shabu beef and vegetable hotpot

Crispy tempura apple bites with matcha dip

Yakisoba noodles with parsnip and pear salad

Winter spiced beetroot and apple strudel

Cheesy pumpkin pasta bake with nori

Hokkaido squash and sweet potato chowder

Oyster mushroom and chicken chowder

Mussels and salmon chowder

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Festive Sausage Rolls with a Punchy Soy Dip

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Soy Salted Caramel Brandy Butter

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Soy Sesame Sprouts with Miso Dressing

Unwrapped cabbage rolls in tomato sauce

Creamy red cabbage soup

Soy-glazed cabbage katsu bake

Yuzu ponzu pork stew

Omelette with vegetables

Bowl with beef and vegetables

Meatballs glazed in sriracha sauce with rice

Vegetarian Beetroot Wellington

Spiced fish and mash pie

Teriyaki beef and mash pie

Japanese-style meat pie

Creamy razor clam chowder with soy sauce

Crispy clams buffalo style with ponzu and chilli glaze

Asian oysters in teriyaki dressing

Spanish mussel and chorizo stew

Scallops tataki with roasted sesame and ponzu-yuzu dressing

Mango and Carrot Salad

Poke mayonnaise dip with avocado and egg

Pineapple mayonnaise dip with salmon tacos

Mango poke mayonnaise dip with fried sushi rice balls

Tahini-mayo dip with smoked salmon cucumber boats

Taco-mayo dip with black bean nachos

Ranch mayo dip with baked kimchi cauliflower bites

One pan chicken thighs roasted with Mediterranean vegetables

Cantonese Steamed Whole Sea Bream

Chocolate Soy Sauce Truffles

Simple Teriyaki Marinade

Sticky Honey Soy Marinade

Easy Beer & Honey Marinade

Lettuce & Anchovy Dressing

Vegetables with Ponzu Mayo

Smoky Vegetable & Feta Salad

Asian Salmon & Pepper Skewers

Lemony Ponzu Whole Trout

Grilled roast beef pastrami-style

Teriyaki-marinated tofu skewers with sesame oil and peanut butter

Grilled octopus with ponzu sauce and capers

Seitan marinated in soy sauce with sesame and cumin

Pork bulgogi in lettuce

Grilled meatballs with soy sauce and cranberry glaze

Middle Eastern lamb kebabs marinated in soy sauce

Grilled aubergine with soy sauce and tamarind paste, truffle mayonnaise, and tomatoes

Marinated chicken in whisky with teriyaki BBQ sauce, garlic and mustard

Chicken gyros with pita bread and tzatziki sauce

Chocolate rice pudding with raspberry sauce

Rich Dark Chocolate Mousse

Broccoli & cheese fritters with teriyaki tex-mex salsa

Bowl with caramelised chickpeas in teriyaki marinade

Chickpea and courgette pancakes with coriander dip

French lentil pastry

BBQ Grilled Tuna Steak & Salad

Japanese Pork Katsu Curry Recipe

Spicy beef stir-fry

Quinoa and Vegetable Bento Box Recipe

Slow-cooked beef in red wine

Honey vinaigrette

"Bagna cauda" dip with tofu and soy sauce

Sweet & Sour Crispy Tofu Rips with Sticky Fried Rice

Vegan Sheet Pan Special Fried Rice Recipe

Vegan Full Flavour English Breakfast recipe

Easy Stir Fry Sauce

Easy homemade stir fry sauce recipe

Curried date dip with barbecued vegetables

Soy-glazed salmon with butter bean mash

Roast pork with spicy red cabbage

Red lentil penne with avocado, peas and parsley pesto

Macaroni Cheese with Broccoli

Mozzarella and persimmon carpaccio with turkey fillet

Healthy turkey stir fry with noodles recipe

Grains and Greens Bowl with fried egg and tahini yoghurt

Hawaiian Style Poke Burger

Easy Teriyaki Black Bean and Halloumi Tacos Recipe

Olive Soy Sauce Dip

Mini Club Sandwich Canapes

Pan-roasted Cauliflower with Spiced Aubergine

Sticky Spiced Duck Pancakes

Sticky Kikkoman sausages

Macaroni with Spinach and Salmon

Spicy Chinese chicken stir-fry recipe

Soy Spiced Roasted Whole Salmon

Soy and Honey Glazed Sausages

Glazed pork with beetroot salsa

Roasted Vegetables

Japanese style teriyaki chicken skewers

Roast Squash with Coconut Pesto

Pumpkin soup with Caramelised Pumpkin Seeds

Vegetarian Christmas Pots

Roast Butternut Squash with Spicy Chick Peas

Asian Potsticker Dumplings

Pot Roast Lemon and Thyme Chicken

Thai wok curry with beef with coconut

Chicken Chow Mein

Pork chops with soy basted butternut squash and shredded cabbage

Sticky Teriyaki Aubergine Stir Fry Recipe

Teriyaki turkey with cranberry stuffing balls

Teriyaki Halloumi Fajitas

Simple garlic prawn stir fry recipe

Beef and Broccoli Stir fry Recipe

Oriental lamb hot pot

Oriental coronation chicken

Easy one pan chicken recipe

Avocado and bean dip with grilled potatoes

Marinated sirloin beef steak with chunky chips and roast tomato

Teriyaki Chicken Stir fry with Noodles Recipe

Crispy chinese pork wrap

Japanese Okonomiyaki Cabbage Pancake with Teriyaki Garlic Sauce Recipe

Chunky Beef Chowder recipe

Spicy chilli beef and mushroom stir-fry recipe

Quick and Easy Teriyaki Vegetable Stir Fry with Noodles

Umami beef pie with cheesy mushroom mash

Salmon with soy butter and garlicky greens

Quick Chicken Stir Fry Noodles with Soy Honey & Ginger Sauce

Creamy polenta with prawns

Easy Beef Stir Fry with Noodles

Simple Mushroom and Green Bean Stir Fry

Japanese soy-marinated eggs recipe

One-hour Spicy Japanese Miso Ramen Recipe

Japanese Gunkan Maki recipe

Easy Japanese Vegetarian Gyoza recipe

Japanese-style Chicken Curry Recipe

Homemade Japanese Gyoza Skins

Simple Chinese Chicken Stir fry with Soy, Ginger and Garlic Recipe

Sticky pork, red pepper and sesame stir fry recipe

Thai Chicken & Vegetable Stir Fry with Rice

Chinese Fried Rice Recipe

Soy, Honey and Ginger Glazed Christmas Gammon

Best Ever Yorkshire Puddings recipe

Quick Beef Ramen Recipe

Plant-based 'Duck' Pancakes with Quick Plum Sauce

Rich beef casserole with tomatoes & shallots and bubble & squeak cakes

Sesame tofu katsu with rice and green peas

Mushroom dumplings in carrot sauce

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Steak Pie with Shortcrust Pastry

Slow Cooker Asian Beef Stew recipe

Slow Cooker Pork Stew with noodles and courgetti

Slow Cooker Soy-Braised Chicken recipe

Oriental Mussels and Chips

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chilli

Perfect Pan Fried Steak

Quick Vegetable Stir-Fry Recipe

Mega Mushroom & Barley Risotto

Pepper, Edamame & Spring Onion Stuffed Dumplings with Soy & Chilli Dip

Spicy BBQ Chicken Wings

Baked Brussels sprouts in orange sauce

Salmon skewers with dips

Soy Sauce and Herb BBQ Butter

Aubergine-soy sauce dip with garlic

Creamy Sweet Potato Dip with Soy Sauce

Christmas Chestnut & Mushroom Pie

Christmas Goose with Baked Apples

Yakiniku-roast beef on toasted baguette

Orange marinade with soy sauce for salmon

Tomato sauce with soy sauce

Edamole with soy sauce

Pork chops in fruity soy sauce

Mushroom sauce with cream, mustard and soy sauce

Hummus dip with soy sauce

Bruschetta with apricot, ricotta and teriyaki

Risotto with Mushrooms and Fresh Parmesan

Spicy shepherd’s pie

Creamy white vegetable soup

Sticky Teriyaki Chicken Traybake

Tamari & chilli glazed lamb with shredded vegetable pickle

Mushroom Wellington

Lamb, aubergine and Spinach Pot

Sweet-sour tomato sauce

Japanese Udon Noodle Soup

Garlicky Glazed Chicken Thighs baked with Cashews and Peppers

Easy Japanese Okonomiyaki Pancakes with Meat (Buta-Tama) Recipe

Prawn salad with Ponzu Mayonnaise

Soy Chilli Marinade

Quick Umami Bolognese

Teriyaki cauliflower burger with halloumi

Soy Martinez - Soy Sauce Cocktail

Mushroom stroganoff with soy sauce

Ponzu Salad Dressing

Japanese Salmon Tartare with Ponzu & Radish Dip

Tuna poke Rice Roll

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Mushroom pasta bake

Traditional Japanese Fukuoka Ramen

Root vegetable cakes

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Chicken & Chips

Teriyaki Chicken with Toasted Sesame on Rice

Tangy-sweet chicken livers with beetroot salad and peanuts

Savoy cabbage wrap with sweet potatoes, mushrooms and cinnamon jus

Succulent venison stew with mushrooms and potato dumplings

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Succulent onion-marinated braised beef with parsley and ginger salad

Fillet steaks in fig and mustard sauce

Mushroom carbonara

Cinnamon rolls with pear and walnuts

Orange upside-down cake

Meringues with chestnut cream

Vegan cashew “cheesecake“ with caramel-chocolate sauce

Pistachio cream muffins

Pumpkin cheesecake with cranberries, caramel, and hazelnuts

Vegan tart with caramelized pears

Sushi cake with roast beef and avocado

Teriyaki Chicken and Leek Sushi Rice Roll Recipe

Bento box with Edamame Rice & Smoked Tofu Recipe

Japanese style Tofu Noodle Soup Recipe

Fiery vegetarian Quorn spaghetti

Fish and noodle broth

Pork and Vegetable Bento Box Recipe

Cod & Sweet Potato Bento Box Recipe

Couscous, Feta & Vegetable Bento Box Recipe

Japanese style Omelette, Noodle and Vegetable Bento Box Recipe

Chocolate Soy Soufflé with Fried Chilli Bananas

Tomato & Ponzu Dip

Japanese style Teriyaki Salmon and Vegetable Bento Box Recipe

Lentil and Buckwheat Bento Box with Vegetables Recipe

Japanese Style Teriyaki Chicken and Vegetable Bento Box Recipe

Spicy Teriyaki Beef and Rice Bowl Recipe

Teriyaki prawn and avocado toast

Vietnamese Style Chicken and Rice Noodle Soup

Easy Japanese Gyoza Recipe

Easy Japanese Ramen Recipe

Easy Japanese Katsu Sando Recipe

Baked chicken teriyaki burritos

Quick vegetable curry

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Salmon Spaghetti al Cartoccio

Green Herb Risotto with Roasted Mushrooms

Teriyaki Duck Pancakes Recipe

Goan fish curry

Fennel, Edamame and Walnut Salad with Ponzu dressing

Asian Cauliflower Wings

Green Mary Cocktail

Chilli Sin Carne

Simple Spaghetti with Tuna and Mushrooms

Double Black Velvet

Griddled Aubergine with Soy Tahini Dressing

Barbecue Ribeye Steak with Honey Whisky & Soy Glaze

Sticky BBQ chicken breast in orange, chilli, honey and soy marinade

Grilled vegetable and burrata couscous

Thai tofu and kimchi noodle soup

Easy carrot soup with coriander, burrata and almonds

Warm Prawn Salad with Pumpkin and Potato Wedges

Warm salad of roasted vegetables and walnuts

Creamy roasted vegetable soup with chickpeas

Sweet potato dumplings with mushroom sauce

Carrot and celeriac pancakes with herbs

Mashed Potato Parsnip and Leek

Mushroom and Tomato Sauce

Roasted Cauliflower

Rocket & lamb's lettuce salad with apple & soy sauce dressing

Spiced Sweet Potato Mash

Barbecued Oriental Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs

Salmon fillet in orange sauce with mushroom cream sauce

Sweetcorn Feta & Berry Salad

Spiced Apple & Soy BBQ Ribs

Chicken and Mushroom Pie with Mashed Potato Topping

Warm Mirin chicken and pumpkin salad

Sticky Roast Chicken Thighs with Lentil Ragout

Spicy beef and spinach lasagne

Saffron-scented Ratatouille

Rich Red Onion Gravy

Easy Beetroot Houmous

Lemon risotto with asparagus and crispy tilapia

Spicy Fish Burger with Cabbage and Carrot Slaw

Mochi crêpes cake

Porcini mushroom ravioli

Braised Lamb Shanks with Apricots

Easy fish tacos with crispy vegetables

Creamy lemon and trout pasta

Spicy Black Bean soup with chorizo

Fish wellington with cherry tomato salad

Mushroom soup with crispy bacon and popcorn

Easy Pea Soup with mint, chickpeas and feta cheese

Spicy breadcrumbed prawns-skewers with creamy edamame dip

Creamy pepper and tomato soup with teriyaki prawns

Soy Orange & Honey Glazed Roast Turkey

Spinach Salad with Crunchy Vegetables and Sesame

Healthy Kale Salad with Chilli and Almonds

BBQ Whisky Rib-eye Steak with Cucumber and Melon Salad

Barbecued Cod Loin Fillets in a Spiced Yoghurt Marinade

Fruity BBQ Chicken Skewers

BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Beer & Teriyaki BBQ Pork Chops

Herby Soy Marinated BBQ Steaks

Japanese Tuna Steaks with Sesame Seeds

Teriyaki Mushroom Bruschetta

BBQ Cod in Teriyaki Marinade

Potato Salad with Fried Capers

Mayonnaise dip mixed with soy sauce

Quick Sweet Apple BBQ Marinade

Stuffed Hokkaido pumpkin with oyster mushrooms and pistachios

Easy Honey-glazed Ham

Oven-baked Cataplana with Mussels and Prawns

Spicy Tomato and Sausage Gnocchi

Easy cheesy fried polenta

Spicy Yoghurt BBQ Marinade

Soy & Honey BBQ Chicken Wings

Japanese ramen with pork and soy marinated egg recipe

Pork Belly with BBQ Teriyaki Sauce with Coleslaw & Fries

Chicken Legs in Savoury Honey & Soy Sauce