Still on the fence about whether to throw a New Year’s Eve party? Here’s a plan for a last-minute holiday cocktail party that requires only five ingredients (plus a pantry staple or two). Our faithful friend and photographer Olivia Rae James recently captured such a party on camera. As far as we’re concerned, it’s proof that miracles really do exist.
Photography by Olivia Rae James.
Step by Step: A 5-Ingredient Cocktail Party
5 Ingredients
- A bottle (or three) of bubbly—Champagne, Prosecco, Cremant de Bourgogne…anything that you like
- A slab of fresh Greek feta
- A hearty loaf of fresh bread
- A bunch of fresh rosemary
- Marcona almonds
Optional: Candlelight
Recipe: Roasted Feta Cheese
The process is simple: Slather a block of Greek feta with olive oil, cover and bake at 400 degrees for eight minutes. Drizzle with honey and rosemary and put under the broiler until the cheese begins to brown and bubble. It’s a crowd pleaser every single time. For the original recipe, see Roasted Feta with Thyme Honey on Food 52.
Roasted Almonds
Olivia roasted raw marcona almonds in a 350-degree oven with olive oil, sea salt, and rosemary for from ten to 15 minutes, turning with a spatula every five minutes or so to make sure they didn’t burn. The result: the perfect salty snackable for mitigating the effects of too much Champagne.
Above: Cheers to creating at least one holiday event sans stress.
Planning to throw a last-minute party? For more inspiration, see Festive Recipes: Apple Cocktails for the Holidays.
Have a Question or Comment About This Post?
Join the conversation