Dress & Cook to Impress! 21 Holiday Eats & Drinks To Wow Them!

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Dress & Cook to Impress! 21 Holiday Eats & Drinks To Wow Them!

Get ready to knock the socks off your guests this holiday season! We’ve got 21 killer recipes that will take your holiday feast from dull to dazzling. They’re not only bursting with flavors but also turn heads with their good looks. Yes, these dishes are all about cooking to impress.

An  winter vanilla thyme vanilla paloma mocktailwith a sprig of thyme.
Winter Vanilla & Thyme Paloma. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Cranberry Cosmosa

Cranberry Cosmosas in martini glasses.
Cranberry Cosmosas. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

If you’re worried about kicking off your holiday party on a high note, fret not, ’cause the Cranberry Cosmosa has got your back. It’s simply the best medium to inject some fun and holiday spirit into your guests. The bubbly champagne cocktail fused with the mouth-puckering flavor of cranberries is an instant crowd favorite. It’s a drink that not only jazzes up your dining table with its vibrant color but also serves as the perfect ice breaker.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Cosmosa

Tomato Bruschetta Board

Tomato bruschetta board on a table.
Tomato Bruschetta Board. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Want to bring a bit of fun and interaction to your holiday party? Introduce the Tomato Bruschetta Board. This build-it-yourself appetizer spread is a fun activity that also caters to diverse tastes. With an array of toppings and the signature tomato mix, your guests will have a great time personalizing their bruschetta. Add it to your holiday spread, and make your holiday meal a memorable experience!
Get the Recipe: Tomato Bruschetta Board

White Christmas Cocktail

A cocktail with a cucumber garnish on a table.
White Christmas Cocktail. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Are you wondering how to capture the snowy elegance of a white Christmas indoors? Try the White Christmas cocktail. This creamy, slightly sweet drink with a touch of vanilla perfectly captures the essence of winter in a glass. Sipping it slowly while nestled comfortably in front of a roaring fire, you will experience the taste of winter coziness. It’s ideal for those chilly nights where all you want to do is slow down and cherish precious holiday moments with your loved ones.
Get the Recipe: White Christmas Cocktail

Cold Crab Dip

A bowl of cold crab dip with crackers and chives.
Cold Crab Dip. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Break the ice at your party with a mouthwatering Cold Crab Dip. A creamy dip made with juicy crab meat mixed with citrus – it’s truly seafood heaven! Whether you spread it on a cracker or munch it with some chips, people will be coming back for seconds, or even thirds.
Get the Recipe: Cold Crab Dip

Mistletoe Mule

A copper glass filled with mule and with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.
Mistletoe Mule. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Shaking things up a bit with the Mistletoe Mule. It’s a holiday riff on the regular mule – a bit spicy, a bit tangy and a great mix of traditional mule ingredients. It’s a tasty surprise that doubles as a party conversation starter given how cool it looks. Plus, who doesn’t love an energizing kick to their holiday party!
Get the Recipe: Mistletoe Mule

Baked Brie with Apple-Ginger Chutney

A chunk of oozing brie with apple chutney on a board.
Baked Brie with Apple-Ginger Chutney. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Bring a change from the usual holiday cheese spread. Try the Baked Brie with Apple-Ginger Chutney, you’re gonna love it. It’s a contrast between salty and sweet – a bite of warm, melty brie topped with a spoonful of sweet and tangy chutney, and BAM! Your taste buds are going to thank you.
Get the Recipe: Baked Brie with Apple-Ginger Chutney

Lemon-Ginger Hot Toddy Mix

A mug of hot apple cider with cinnamon sticks and lemon slices.
Lemon-Ginger Hot Toddy Mix. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

If you’re searching for a drink that’s not just comforting but also exudes a heartwarming aroma, the Lemon-Ginger Hot Toddy Mix is your best bet. This concoction is a winter favorite that wraps your senses in fragrant. It utilizes hot water, fresh lemon, a drizzle of honey, a medley of spices, and of course, your favorite dark spirit, to create an ambrosial escape from wintery cold. The aroma alone is enough to spread the holiday spirit and enliven your gathering.
Get the Recipe: Lemon-Ginger Hot Toddy Mix

Beef Wellington Bites

Beef Wellington Bites on a white plate with sauce in the middle.
Beef Wellington Bites. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Now here’s a holiday special – Beef Wellington Bites. Puff pastries with juicy beef inside – picture that. It’s an all-time favorite of meat-lovers, now in bite-size pieces to help guests socialize while savoring these mini delicacies. This is sure to make your feast stand out.
Get the Recipe: Beef Wellington Bites

Hot Chocolate Board

A wooden platter with hot cocoa, candy canes, and marshmallows.
Hot Chocolate Board. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Add a touch of customization and creativity to your holiday party with the Hot Chocolate Board. Rather than serving up traditional cups of hot cocoa, surprise your guests with the chance to customize their drinks using an array of ingredients. This board offers a selection of different types of chocolate, a pile of adorable marshmallows, and an abundance of toppings, all waiting for your guests to dive in. Plus, everyone will enjoy being their chocolatiers for the evening!
Get the Recipe: Hot Chocolate Board

Sauerkraut Balls

Sauerkraut Balls in a skillet on a white background.
Sauerkraut Balls. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Add crunch to your holiday spread with the Sauerkraut Balls. Think of it, crispy bites with tangy sauerkraut at the core – that’s unique on a holiday plate. The mixture of tang and crunch is a great contrast, and honestly, they’re an interesting way to get the holiday food extravaganza started!
Get the Recipe: Sauerkraut Balls

Pomegranate Mojito Cocktail

Two pomegranate mojito mocktails with a lemon on top of it.
Pomegranate Mojito Cocktail. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

A bit fresh, a bit tropical, the Pomegranate Mojito is something different altogether. It blends rum, mint, and pomegranate to give you a holiday drink unlike any other. Not only is it a taste sensation, but it also looks really cool on any holiday dinner table. How’s that for a centerpiece drink?
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Mojito Cocktail

Spinach & Brie Dip

Spinach & Brie Dip in a casserole dish surrounded by pita wedges.
Spinach & Brie Dip. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

What if you could combine the fresh flavors of a summer garden with the warm decadence of a winter meal? Our Spinach & Brie Dip does exactly that. A hot, creamy blend of spinach and brie, this dip pairs well with any bread or crunchy vegetable. It’s the classic holiday dish that fits perfectly into a winter meal, offering guests a creamy, stringy, delicious treat that’s perfect for a family gathering around a warm fireplace.
Get the Recipe: Spinach & Brie Dip

Cider Sangria

Two glasses of cider sangria with cinnamon sticks.
Cider Sangria. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Looking to switch up the regular holiday drinks? Then look no further, the Cider Sangria is just the thing. It’s packed with fruits, it’s got a splash of autumnal cider and it feels like holiday cheer in a glass. Everyone at your party is going to be reaching out for a glass.
Get the Recipe: Cider Sangria

Prosciutto Puff Pastry Pinwheels

A plate of Prosciutto & Parmesan Puff Pastry pinwheels.
Prosciutto Puff Pastry Pinwheels. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Are people getting hungry? Satisfy those appetites with Prosciutto Puff Pastry Pinwheels. These bite-size treats are a delicious blend of crunchy pastry and salty prosciutto. Simply put, they are irresistible and they are gonna vanish from the snack table, in no time!
Get the Recipe: Prosciutto Puff Pastry Pinwheels

Cinnamon Smoked Old Fashioned

A glass of whiskey with cinnamon sticks on a brick wall.
Cinnamon Smoked Old Fashioned. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Going old school with the Cinnamon Smoked Old Fashioned. It’s got your usual old-fashioned going, but with a delightful twist – a cinnamon-flavored smoke. And seriously, it gives the drink a really unique and sophisticated taste. Whiskey lovers will adore you for this one!
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Smoked Old Fashioned

Whoville Martini

A blue martini with a cherry on top.
Whoville Martini. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

How about a holiday-ified Martini? Enter the Whoville Martini. It’s creamy, it’s sweet, and it has traditional holiday garnish making it feel like you’re sipping on the festive season. And if that doesn’t scream ‘holiday spirit in a glass’, I don’t know what does!
Get the Recipe: Whoville Martini

Canadian Coffee

A canadian coffee with a whipped cream and cinnamon sticks.
Canadian Coffee. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Bid adieu to the winter chills with the Canadian Coffee. Picture hot coffee blended with whiskey, sweetened with maple syrup and presto, you’ve got the coziest winter drink right there. And trust me, it’s hard to resist a warming cup of this liquid gold. Win over your guests with this one!
Get the Recipe: Canadian Coffee

Pork Tenderloin Crostini with Lime Crema

A wooden cutting board with sliced meat and sauce on it.
Pork Tenderloin Crostini with Lime Crema. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Expect memorable bites when serving Pork Tenderloin Crostini with Lime Crema. Succulent pork tenderloin with a zingy lime crema is the perfect combo. The taste is a delicious contrast, and honestly, it’s flavorsome without being too overpowering. I bet you’ll score some compliments for this one!
Get the Recipe: Pork Tenderloin Crostini with Lime Crema

Christmas Mimosa

Two glasses of christmas mismosa with oranges and cranberries.
Christmas Mimosa. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Christmas morning calls for something subtly festive and refreshing, and what could be better than a Christmas Mimosa? This fun spin on a classic brunch beverage brings a holiday touch to your gathering. Blending a pop of cranberry juice with sparkling wine creates a bubbly wonder that not only tastes delicious but also enlivens your breakfast table with its lovely color. So pop open the sparkling wine, add the cranberry juice, and toast to happy moments and beautiful mornings!
Get the Recipe: Christmas Mimosa

Bailey’s Hot Chocolate with Bailey’s Marshmallow

Two glasses of Bailey's Hot Chocolate with marshmallows on the top of it.
Bailey’s Hot Chocolate with Bailey’s Marshmallow. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Make your hot chocolate experience more festive and indulgent with the Bailey’s Hot Chocolate, topped off with a plush Bailey’s marshmallow. The classic combination of velvety hot chocolate infused with creamy Bailey’s liqueur creates a warm and cozy treat that’s impossible to resist. The marshmallow melts into the hot chocolate, adding an extra layer of creamy goodness. It truly embodies the magic of winter, and will surely be a hit with your guests.
Get the Recipe: Bailey’s Hot Chocolate with Bailey’s Marshmallow

Winter Vanilla & Thyme Paloma

An  winter vanilla thyme vanilla paloma mocktailwith a sprig of thyme.
Winter Vanilla & Thyme Paloma. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

To wow your guests with a unique beverage that harmonizes well with holiday treats, look no further than the Winter Vanilla & Thyme Paloma. This innovative cocktail boasts a tequila base flavored with vanilla, thyme, and grapefruit, delivering a balance of sweet, herbal, and citrus notes. The emergence of unexpected flavors makes this drink stand out from the crowd. It might even be the most talked-about item at your holiday gathering!
Get the Recipe: Winter Vanilla & Thyme Paloma

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