Countdown to the New Year: Your New Year's Eve Feast.

When it is about throwing gatherings, guests often separate into a couple of quite different categories: people that enjoy doing it, and the ones that would choose to do almost anything else. Staying ready ahead of time is key, and finding a few tasty creations to kick off the proceedings will amuse your guests while you aim to manage everything.

Fennel, Lemon and Smoked Paprika Almonds

Zesty almond snack

These zesty, flavorful bites prove to be a excellent pairing for the refreshing pink grapefruit mocktails listed below.

Buckwheat Blinis with Ricotta and Salmon

Festive starter with blinis

A delicious celebration starter that can easily be altered to present with a sweet topping for younger guests.

Cardamom-Lime Grapefruit Mocktails

Citrusy non-alcoholic drink

These drinks are a refreshing alternative to alcohol, but also make a delicious base for a tequila-based beverage.

Festive Martinis with Juniper & Lemon

Sophisticated martini cocktail

Handcrafted gin for a special holiday martini, great for gifting or pouring at parties.

Shredded Lamb Shoulder with Sumac Onion Salad

Tender lamb dish

Revel in the praise of this show-stopping spread – no one will for a moment suspect how little work was needed.

Festive Chocolate Cranberry Tart

Rich chocolate cranberry tart

In this rich dessert, swirls of spiced cranberry sauce are cooked into a dark chocolate base for a combination that uses any surfeit of cranberries to excellent effect.

Eric Gay
Eric Gay

Elara Vance is a cultural critic and luxury lifestyle writer with over a decade of experience covering art and high-end trends globally.