Skip to Content

Holiday Hosting Made Easy: 12 Easy Appetizers and Drinks Your Guests Will Love

Nothing says holiday cheer like a party spread full of refreshing cocktails and delicious bites. From festive martinis and fruity mocktails to crowd-pleasing dips and finger foods, this collection of 12 quick and easy appetizers and drinks has you covered.

Pomegranate Martini

Pomegranate martini with a sugar rim and lime wedge.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

A crisp, refreshing cocktail of pomegranate and lime juice, vodka, and orange liqueur. The pomegranate martini, or pomtini, is a pretty, deep red cocktail. Garnished with a sugared rim and lime wedge it is perfect for the holidays.

Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Martini

Hot Cheesy Leek Dip

Hot leek dip with a small spoon in a dish.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

Delicious, hot, and cheesy, this caramelized leek dip is a quick and easy appetizer that is perfect for any occasion.  This creamy leek dip is made with three cheese types, fresh chives and garlic. The sweet caramelized leeks and cheese create a rich and flavorful dip that is delicious with sliced baguettes or sourdough bread, chips, pretzels, or veggies. Serve up a dish of this hot, cheesy dip for your next appetizer night.

Get the Recipe: Hot Cheesy Leek Dip

Eggnog Espresso Martini

Two eggnog martinis garnished with a brown sugar rim and a cinnamon stick.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

The Espresso Eggnog Martini combines the rich flavors of spiced rum, creamy eggnog, freshly brewed espresso, and a splash of Kahlua. This festive drink brings a delicious twist to a classic winter treat. The combination of the rum, eggnog, and deep coffee notes, creates a cocktail that’s ideal for holiday gatherings.

Get the Recipe: Eggnog Espresso Martini

Pear and Brie Crostini

Three crostini on a white plate garnished with fresh rosemary.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

Lightly toasted baguettes topped with creamy brie, fresh pears, and balsamic reduction. Finished with aromatic herbs, these pear and brie crostini are a quick and easy appetizer that perfect for holiday gatherings.

Get the Recipe: Pear and Brie Crostini

Crantini (Cranberry Martini)

Cranberry martinis with sugared cranberries and orange sliced.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

A perfect balance of sweet and tart, the cranberry martini is a cocktail that can be served year-round. A blend of vodka, orange liqueur, and cranberry juice, this drink is smooth and refreshing. Garnish with some sugared cranberries and an orange slice to make it extra special.

Get the Recipe: Crantini

Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Wontons

Air fried wontons on a platter with ranch and chili dip.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

A creamy, cheesy, and spicy jalapeno popper filling wrapped in a crispy wonton. These air fryer jalapeno wontons are quick, easy, and made with simple ingredients. The air fryer makes these wontons extra crispy, complementing the spicy jalapeno cream cheese filling. Serve them up on a platter with an assortment of dips and dig in.

Get the Recipe: Jalapeno Popper Wontons

Pomegranate Mocktail

Two pomegranate drinks in tall glasses garnished with orange slice and pomegranate seeds.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

This refreshing pomegranate mocktail is a beautiful, festive drink made with pomegranate juice, freshly squeezed orange, and ginger ale. Finished with a squirt of lime, the flavors are perfectly balanced, being slightly tart yet sweet and fizzy. Because it contains no alcohol, it is suitable for everyone and is the perfect addition to a holiday party.

Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Mocktail

Elote Dip

Corn dip with cilantro and feta cheese.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

A flavourful dip of corn, spices, cheese, and lime, Elote dip turns delicious Mexican street corn into a tasty appetizer or snack that is easy to prepare. Made with simple ingredients, this dip comes together quickly and is packed with flavor.

Get the Recipe: Elote Dip

Shirley Temple Cockail

Two shirley temple drinks in mason jar glasses garnished with cherries and lime.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

An adult twist on a childhood favorite, the Shirley Temple cocktail, or Dirty Shirley, is refreshing any time of the year. Made with grenadine syrup, vodka, and lemon-lime soda this fizzy cocktail is simple to make and delightful to drink. Easy to make into a mocktail by simply omitting the alcohol.

Get the Recipe: Shirley Temple Cocktail

Air Fryer Cheeseburger Eggrolls

Crispy cheeseburger eggrolls on a plate.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

Crispy, crunch egg rolls filled with ground beef, cheese, and seasonings. Air fryer cheeseburger egg rolls turn everyone’s favorite burger into a delicious finger food. These crispy little rolls are perfect on an appetizer platter. They can be made ahead of time and frozen, perfect for when you need something quick.

Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Eggrolls

Cranberry Margarita

Cranberry margarita in a cocktail glass.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

Made with cranberry juice, tequila, orange liqueur, and lime, this cranberry margarita is a perfectly balanced cocktail with a deep red color making it as festive as it is delicious. Decorate with rosemary sprigs and sugared cranberries for a pretty mistletoe margarita, or rim the glass with margarita salt. This drink comes together in minutes with just a few ingredients.

Get the Recipe: Cranberry Margarita

Air Fryer Pizza Bagels

Pepperoni and cheese pizza on a bagel.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

Air fryer pizza bagels are delicious and easy. When made on mini-bagels they become a bite-sized treat that is a great addition to any appetizer plate. You only need a few simple ingredients to make these delicious pizzas and can top them any way you like. Ready in less than 5 minutes they are quick and easy.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pizza Bagels

Sharing is caring!

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.