149 cock tail recipes

Poor man's shrimp transforms cubed salmon into shrimp-like bites by quick-poaching in heavily salted water. A vintage frugal cooking trick that yields firm, pink, shrimp-textured salmon for cocktails or salads.

Mushroom pate: a vegetarian appetizer of buttery sauteed mushrooms and onions deglazed with sherry, then blended with cream cheese and fresh parsley. Spread on crackers or crusty bread for the perfect cocktail snack.

Rum truffle dessert cocktail: dark rum, crème de cacao, and hazelnut liqueur blended with chocolate ice cream and crowned with whipped cream. Served in a brandy snifter for a sip-it-slow sweet finish.

Pesto mushroom caps stuff fresh button mushrooms with homemade basil pesto and crown each one with a walnut half, then bake until hot and fragrant. A 10-minute vegetarian appetizer that punches way above its weight at a cocktail party.

Sharp cheddar cheese fondue made with cream of cheddar soup, garlic, and a splash of kirsch. Serve with crusty bread, meats, and fresh veggies for a crowd-pleasing party dip.