Guides
Cocktail & Hors D’oeuvre Pairings for Your Next Dinner Party
It’s about time to start getting ready for hosting season!
Towards the end of the year, there’s often a warm glow that shines through the bite of the cold air. On one of these evenings, you’ll likely find yourself prepping for a gathering you’re hosting. Your table is set, decorated to perfection; and you’re playing your favourite smooth tunes to create that easygoing, yet refined ambience. After a short while, your doorbell rings intermittently and one-by-one, you welcome your guests, take their coats, and lead them to the party space. That warm glow is the merriment of shared company, which begins to shine even brighter now that everyone has arrived.
There’s no better way to elevate a dinner party than with the perfect cocktail hour composed of delicious sips and equally delectable eats. If you’re looking to be the hostess with the mostest this year, read on for our selection of classic appetizers with their own cocktail pairings!
Jump to the pairings ahead!
- Smoked Salmon Bites
- Meatballs
- Spinach Pastries
- Bruschetta
- Oysters Rockefeller
- Stuffed Mushrooms
- Deviled Eggs
- Caviar
Smoked Salmon Bites – Gherkin Martini
Martinis and seafood are a beloved combo, particularly with how the crisp palate complements the oceanic qualities of fish. With the stronger profile of smoked salmon, the brininess from our Gherkin Martini cuts through the richness splendidly!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin
- ½ oz Dry Vermouth
- ½ oz Gherkin Brine
- Lemon Twist & Gherkin, for garnish
Meatballs – Duchess Punch
For all of the festive vibes, we’re pairing wholesome meatballs with our Duchess Punch! The bold and tart fruitiness from the cranberries provides contrast with the robust meatiness to create a delectable sweet and savoury experience.
INGREDIENTS (serves eight 6½ oz cocktails)
- 12 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 32 oz Cranberry Juice
- 8 oz Sparkling Wine
- Rosemary & Cranberries
METHOD
Add all ingredients to a pitcher or punch bowl on ice, including the cranberries and rosemary. Serve in punch cups or stemless wine glasses.
Spinach Pastries – Corpse Reviver #2 by @driftersjoint
To balance out the vegetal, creamy, and salty flavours of this party staple; we’re picking the Corpse Reviver #2 for its acidity and botanical-forward notes. We find that this pairing works as the hint of anise offered by the absinthe plays off the spinach, while the citrus brightens things up against the salinity and fat from the feta.
INGREDIENTS
- ¾ oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- ¾ oz Orange Liqueur
- ¾ oz French Wine Apéritif
- Absinthe, to rinse
METHOD
Shake ingredients over ice then strain into chilled Nick & Nora rinsed with absinthe.
Bruschetta – Rosé French 75 by @takestwoeggs
Bruschetta can be a bit tricky since the tomatoes offer both freshness and a big burst of flavour, so we don’t want to overwhelm the palate with so much intensity with our drink of choice. The effervescence and approachability of French 75s pair easily with many dishes, though the light fruitiness in the rosé in this variation softens the experience when put together with bruschetta.
INGREDIENTS
- 1½ oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- ½ oz Simple Syrup
- ½ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 3-4 oz Sparkling Rosé
- Pinch of silver cocktail glitter (optional)
- Lemon Twist, for garnish
METHOD
Add Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker and shake generously. Strain into a champagne flute. Top off with sparkling rosé. Stir in a pinch of silver cocktail glitter (optional). Garnish with a lemon twist and enjoy!
Oysters Rockefeller – Hugo Twist
As this classic appetizer leans decadent, we’ll want to cut through the luscious butter sauce with a cocktail that’s fresh and zippy. Queue the Hugo Twist: a refreshing mix of cucumber, mint, citrus, and florals that will rejuvenate the tastebuds after a sip!
INGREDIENTS
- 1½ oz Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin
- ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- ¾ oz Elderflower Liqueur
- ¼ oz Simple Syrup
- 6 Mint Leaves, plus more for garnish
- Sparkling Wine & Soda Water, to top
- Edible Flowers, for garnish
Stuffed Mushrooms – Classic Rose Negroni by @evakosmasflores
To go with the deep umami of stuffed mushrooms, a classic Negroni is an excellent choice for its bittersweetness that makes you crave more bites! The subtle floral notes from our Elderflower Rose expression in this version go nicely with the earthy mushrooms to make for a unique mix of delicacy and rusticity.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- 1 oz Campari
- ¾ oz Sweet Vermouth
- Rose Bud, for garnish
METHOD
Stir ingredients together and pour over a large ice cube in a lowball glass. Enjoy!
Deviled Eggs – Spicy Bee’s Knees by @theweekendmixologist
With the unctuousness of deviled eggs, we’re pairing these with a spicy Bee’s Knees twist, which will lighten the weight of the filling while standing up to the heat from the eggs’ pinch of pepper. We often see honey being drizzled onto savoury dishes, so coupled with a kick of chili flakes and apple cider vinegar in the cocktail’s syrup, this duo is sure to be a great match!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- ½ oz Orange Liqueur
- ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- ½ oz Hot Honey Syrup*
- Lemon Twist, for garnish
METHOD
Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill and double strain over pebble ice in a rocks glass. Garnish and enjoy!
*To make the syrup, add 1 cup honey and 2 tbsp chili flakes to a saucepan. Heat until simmering and then stir in 1 tsp apple cider vinegar and ½ cup water. Let cool for 15 minutes before straining.
Caviar – Sauvignon Blanc Martini by @sommvivant
If you’re pulling out all the stops this holiday season and serving caviar, look no further! People often enjoy this with vibrant white wines as well as martinis, so why not combine the two for the best of both worlds? We just love how the sharpness of this martini twist offsets the saltiness from the caviar. With this elevated combo, you’ll definitely be enjoying the party in style!
INGREDIENTS (SERVES TWO)
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 2 oz Sauvignon Blanc
- Lemon Twist, Lavender Sprig, or Rosemary; for garnish (to preference)
METHOD
Stir over ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass, and garnish.
Food and beverages always act as a wonderful accompaniment to any social evening since everyone gets to connect with each other through a shared experience. There’s certainly an art to creating the ideal snack and sip combo, so these recommendations should make hosting prep much easier. We hope to see you celebrating the holidays with Empress 1908 cocktails!
For more cocktail inspiration, be sure to check out our Instagram, Cocktail Page, or Blog!
Sip responsibly!
