In the sea of brainstorming Christmas gift ideas and searching for New Year’s Eve dinner recipes, one thing is often overlooked: the delicious drinks accompanying your holiday party.

If you’re looking for the best drinks for your upcoming holiday parties, we’ve got you covered with this list – so you can stick with searching for fun Christmas party outfit ideas while sipping on a delicious beverage!

1. Coquito

What’s a better drink to accompany your Christmas party appetizers than a delicious eggnog? Coquito is a delicious Puerto Rican eggnog drink and one of our favorite ideas for Christmas beverages. To make our favorite recipe, which serves 7-10 people, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 7 ounces of 100% canned coconut milk
• 6 ounces of white rum
• 6 ounces of evaporated milk
• 2.5 ounces of sweetened condensed milk, more to taste
• ½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon of nutmeg

To make the drink:

1. Place all of the ingredients into your blender bowl.
2. Blend for 2-3 minutes until it’s mixed and frothy.
3. Pour the beverage into a bottle and refrigerate until chilled.
4. Shake again before serving and serve in chilled shot glasses sprinkled with cinnamon.
5. For larger glasses, serve over ice – and enjoy one of our favorite Christmas party ideas!

2. Mexican Ponche

This Mexican Christmas punch is another of our favorite ideas for Christmas and will certainly take your Christmas office party or family celebration to the next level. To make 16 servings of this drink, gather the following ingredients:

• 1 cup of dried hibiscus flowers
• 24 cups of water divided
• 20 cloves
• 2 oranges
• 2 cups of drained Tejocotes from 1 32-ounce jar of GOYA® Tejocote
• 1 package of frozen GOYA® Guava
• 6 sticks of frozen GOYA® whole sugar cane
• 2 cones of GOYA® brown sugar cane
• 1 medium apple, chopped
• 1 medium pear, chopped
• 1 cup of pitted prunes, chopped
• 1 cup of walnut halves
• ½ cup of raisins
• 4 GOYA® cinnamon sticks
• Optional: rum, brandy, or tequila to taste

To make the drink, complete the following steps:

1. Boil the hibiscus flowers and 4 cups of water in a pot over medium-high heat.
2. Remove from the stove and steep for 20 minutes.
3. While steeping, press the sharp side of 10 cloves into one orange. Repeat with the remaining cloves and oranges.
4. Strain the hibiscus mixture into a large pot and discard the solids. Add 20 cups of water, orange pieces, tejocotes, guava, sugar cane sticks, brown sugar cane, apple, pear, pitted prunes, walnut halves, raisins, and cinnamon sticks.
5. Boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
6. Lower the heat and simmer for 1 hour.
7. Serve the drink warm or chilled, and add liquor if desired.

3. Cranberry Mojito

This recipe is one of our favorite drinks for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, but it can also be served for your Christmas or New Year’s Eve party! To make 4 servings of our favorite cranberry mojito, collect the following ingredients:

• 15-16 mint leaves
• 4 tablespoons of brown sugar
• ¼ cup of lime juice
• 1 cup of cranberry juice
• 6 ounces of white rum
• 1 cup of seltzer water
• Ice
• Lime slices, cranberries, and mint to garnish

With all your ingredients, make the drink as follows:

1. Break the mint leaves up in a jar using the back of a wooden spoon or a pestle.
2. Add the brown sugar, lime juice, rum, cranberry juice, and seltzer water. Stir.
3. Serve over ice and garnish with desired ingredients.

4. Canelazo

Canelazo is a delicious cinnamon hot drink that we love serving on Thanksgiving Day, but its warmth also makes it one of our favorite Christmas or New Year’s dinner ideas! To make 4 servings of canelazo, gather the following ingredients:

• 3 cups of water
• ⅔ cup of light brown sugar
• ⅔ cup of dark brown sugar
• 1 juiced lime
• Pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon of whole cloves
• 4-6 cinnamon sticks
• ½ cup of orange juice
• 4 ounces of aguardiente, or rum

Make the drink as follows:

1. Add the water, sugars, lime juice, salt, cloves, and cinnamon to a pot and boil.
2. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
3. Take away from the heat and add in orange juice.
4. Add the rum.
5. Reheat the drink without bringing it to a boil. Strain and serve.

5. Cola de Mono

This drink is yet another one of our favorite recipes for Thanksgiving, but it can be served at any of your holiday parties! Collect the following ingredients to make 12-14 servings:

• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 cup of cold water
• ½ ounce of Mexican cinnamon sticks, about 4
• 2 cloves
• 4 cups or 1 quart of whole milk
• 1 ½ cups of freshly brewed coffee, cold
• 1 ½ cups of Chilean pisco
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

To make cola de mono for your Thanksgiving or New Year’s Eve dinner, take the following steps:

1. Bring the sugar, water, cinnamon, and cloves to a boil in a small saucepan. Simmer for 5 minutes and place aside to cool.
2. Transfer to a large pitcher and add the coffee, milk, pisco, and vanilla. Stir to combine.
3. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate the drink until cool.
4. Serve in small tumbler glasses.

6. Pumpkin Caipirinha

One of the best Thanksgiving party ideas is serving this classic pumpkin drink! To make this along with your best Thanksgiving sides, collect the following items:

• ½ lime cut into 4 pieces
• ½ ounce of agave nectar
• ¼ teaspoon of freshly grated ginger, optional
• ½ cup of crushed ice
• 1 ½ ounces of white rum or cachaça
• 1 ½ ounces of pumpkin puree
• ½ ounce of ginger liqueur
• Nutmeg, cinnamon, lemon, lime, mint, or pumpkin to garnish

To make this drink:

1. Add the lime, agave, and fresh ginger to a cocktail shaker and muddle.
2. Add the ice, rum, puree, and ginger liqueur and shake well.
3. Garnish as desired.

7. Cinnamon Apple Cider Sangria

No matter what events you’re celebrating, there’s no going wrong with a sangria recipe. To make six servings of this recipe, gather the following ingredients:

• 1 750 ml bottle of wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Grigio work best)
• 2 cups of apple cider
• ½ cup of orange juice
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 2 apples
• 1 orange
• ½ cup of brandy

To make the sangria, complete the following steps:

1. Chop the apples and slice the orange. Add both to a pitcher.
2. Add the cinnamon sticks, brandy, wine, orange juice, and apple cider. Stir.
3. Rest in the fridge for at least 3 hours. Pour into glasses and serve.

8. Sorrel

Who says all of your holiday drinks need to be alcoholic? For non-alcoholic recipes, sorrel is one of our best New Year’s Eve dinner ideas. Gather the following ingredients to make 12 servings:

• 1 pound of sorrel
• 8 cups of water
• 1-inch piece of ginger
• 1 ⅓ cup of brown sugar

To make the drink:

1. Mix the seedless sorrel, ginger, and 8 cups of water over medium heat. Boil and let simmer for 15 minutes.
2. Cool the mixture for 10 minutes, then strain into a large bowl.
3. Add water to lighten the mixture. Start with one cup, then taste and adjust.
4. Sweeten to taste using the sugar, 1-2 cups.
5. Refrigerate until cold and serve.

9. Atole de Elote

Another non-alcoholic recipe for family celebrations is this delicious Atole de Elote. Collect the following ingredients to make 6 cups:

• 2 cups of water
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 6 fresh corn
• ⅔ cup of sugar
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons of water for the cornstarch
• 4 cups of milk
• Ground cinnamon for topping

To make the drink:

1. Boil 1 cup of water and cinnamon stick for 5 minutes.
2. Shave the sides of the corn and remove the kernels, reserving ½ cup of kernels.
3. Add the kernels to a blender with 1 cup of water and blend until smooth.
4. Strain the mixture into the pot with cinnamon.
5. Add the sugar and ½ cup of kernels.
6. Dissolve cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water.
7. Add the milk and cornstarch mix to the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low.
8. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour into cups, dust with cinnamon, and serve.

10. Rompope

Another eggnog recipe to pair with your favorite holiday food is delicious rompope. To make this drink, gather the following ingredients:

• 6 cups of milk
• 1 ¼ cups of granulated sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 clove
• ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• ⅓ cup of slivered almonds
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 8 large egg yolks, whisked
• ½-1 cup of dark rum for serving

To make the drink:

1. Combine the milk, sugar, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg in a pot over medium heat and whisk together. Bring to a simmer, whisking every minute. Remove from heat.
2. Add 2 cups of sweetened milk to a small bowl with the slivered almonds. Set aside and sit for 30 minutes.
3. Remove the cinnamon stick and clove from the first mixture.
4. Place the soaked almonds into a blender and blend until smooth.
5. Place the almond milk and vanilla extract in the pot and whisk to combine.
6. Slowly add the egg yolks, whisking until incorporated.
7. Place over medium-low heat for 12-15 minutes, whisking every minute until the mixture is thickened and coats the back of a spoon.
8. Add ½-1 cup of rum and whisk to combine. Serve in mugs and top with cinnamon.

Celebrate Your Holiday With Our Catering

KPacho meets all of your catering needs to make your holiday special. Instead of desperately searching for “New Year’s Eve dinner near me” or “Thanksgiving dinner near me,” stop into our restaurants for all of your holiday food needs!

The holiday season is synonymous with joy, cheer, and the spirit of sharing, beckoning families, event planners, and companies to create memorable gatherings. As couples, groups, and family events take center stage, the allure of the festivities is often encapsulated in the banquet that celebrates togetherness. A diverse spread of delectable dishes satiates taste buds. It mirrors every guest’s preferences and tastes, making the feast a conversation starter.

Whether it’s the savory goodness of a roast turkey or the sweet delicacy of a pumpkin pie, the essence of the holiday spirit is often found nestled in the heart of a hearty meal. As you plan your next holiday gathering, we’ve curated a list of 10 sweet and savory recipes bound to be loved by all, ensuring your Christmas party or New Year’s Eve dinner is etched in memory for times to come.

We have segmented these recipe suggestions into holiday categories, but you can mix and match them to suit your needs!

Recipes for Thanksgiving

We are sharing a couple of the best Thanksgiving sides to add to your list of Thanksgiving party ideas.

Spiced Cranberry Mold

Retro, red, and tasty. Make this throwback dish to brighten your table, spark conversation, and add a hint of nostalgia to your gathering! Check out the recipe on Southern Living!

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

The ultimate comfort food and classic Thanksgiving favorite—mashed potatoes! This recipe adds a little kick of garlic, a perfect savory side dish.

You’ll need:

• 2 pounds of potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet), peeled and cut into chunks
• 4-6 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup of milk or cream (you can adjust this to your preference for creaminess)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: Fresh herbs like parsley or chives for garnish

Peel, cut, and cook your potatoes. While your potatoes are cooking, prepare the garlic butter. Mince the garlic. Melt butter in a small pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant but not browned. Drain and mash your cooked potatoes. Add the garlic butter, milk, salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Christmas Party Appetizers

We have some enticing starters to add to your ideas for Christmas gathering menus.

Baked Cranberry Brie

You’ll need:

• 14-ounce can of Cranberry Sauce
• Sugars (1-2 tablespoon brown and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar)
• Orange for zest
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 wheel of brie
• Fresh rosemary for garnish

One of the best things about making cranberry baked brie is you can use leftover cranberry sauce if you want to! You can also make your cranberry sauce or a canned version, as suggested here. Mix a can of cranberry sauce with the sugars, orange zest, vanilla, and spices. Place brie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and top with cranberry sauce. Bake in a 400° Fahrenheit oven for 7 – 10 minutes. Baking times may vary; you want the cranberry sauce to be warmed and the cheese softened.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms are a delicious, classic appetizer during the holiday season. Their small size and savory flavors perfectly contrast holiday sweet treats. Your guests will surely enjoy these gourmet treats, delighting your spread. Check out this simple stuffed mushroom recipe on Delish!

New Year’s Eve Party Time

Appetizers inspire mingling and add a relaxed note to even a dressy occasion. Whether you are having a black tie party, everyone is in sweats and tees, or somewhere in between. These NYE appetizers will surely please your guests and complement your New Year’s Eve dinner recipes and champagne toast!

Spinach Dip

There are many variations of spinach dip. Following the packet directions from the Knorr’s Vegetable Soup packet is always an option—and delicious! You might want to elevate your dip on NYE or at any holiday gathering by making this baked version!

You’ll need:

• 10 ounces of thawed and drained frozen spinach
• Mayonnaise
• Sour Cream
• Cream Cheese
• Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Garlic (fresh minced or from a jar)
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Salt & Pepper

Mix 1 cup of sour cream, 1 cup mayonnaise, and softened cream cheese in a large bowl. Add 2 cloves of minced garlic, spinach, ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Transfer to a baking dish, spreading evenly. Top with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 375° Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve with chips!

Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Bacon-wrapped dates are a delightful party treat, merging sweet, chewy dates with crisp, savory bacon. Their bite-sized nature makes them a fuss-free yet gourmet appetizer, enthralling guests with a burst of contrasting flavors in each nibble, embodying a perfect mingling indulgence. Check out how to make these perfect party bites here.

Sweet Treats

Classic Pumpkin Pie

The most famous classic pumpkin pie recipe has to be Libby’s! Following the recipe straight from the can using a homemade or pre-made crust gives you a delicious pumpkin pie everyone will love. Serve with whipped cream!

Peppermint Bark

You’ll need:

• White chocolate – either baking chocolate or chocolate chips
• Dark chocolate – either baking chocolate or chocolate chips
• Peppermints crushed and/or broken into pieces

Melt 12 ounces of white chocolate. Spread it on parchment paper. Melt 12 ounces of dark chocolate. Swirl or spread it on top. Sprinkle with crushed peppermints and chill. After shilled, break into pieces to serve.

Rum Balls

You’ll need:

• Vanilla wafers
• powdered sugar
• Cocoa powder
• Rum

Mix two cups crushed vanilla wafters, 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, and ½ cup of rum. Form the mixture into balls and roll in your desired toppings! Chill for a couple of hours.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate crinkle cookies are a visual and flavorful hit with contrasting tender, fudgy centers, and crisp, powdered sugar crusts. Their bite-sized perfection adds a sweet, elegant touch to any party spread. Check out this easy chocolate crinkle cookie recipe from Pillsbury.

Cater Your Gathering

Elevate your holiday party or family celebration by entrusting your catering needs to professionals. Professional catering can customize menus for Christmas, New Year’s Eve dinner, or Thanksgiving dinner, letting you focus on Christmas party outfit ideas or Christmas gift ideas. Catering turns your Christmas party ideas, New Year’s Eve dinner ideas, and other festivities into delicious reality, making each event memorable.

KPacho

We hope you will consider KPacho for an array of catering and event solutions, perfect for any holiday parties or family celebrations. Our restaurant provides a warm setting if you are looking for a “New Year’s Eve dinner near me,” a “Thanksgiving dinner near me,” or a place to make your fun Christmas office party ideas come true. At KPacho, we are ready to help you fulfill your holiday party aspirations. Our excellent staff ensures your gatherings, whether a cozy Thanksgiving dinner or a vibrant New Year’s bash, are occasions to remember.

Planning your corporate holiday party and looking for the best dining options? Whether you need fun Christmas party ideas or delicious New Year’s dinner ideas, there’s something for everyone when it comes to corporate parties–if you know where to start looking!

But what are some of the latest and greatest dining options for your Thanksgiving, New Year’s, or Christmas office party? This article will outline the top 15 corporate holiday party food and dining ideas to guarantee your party menu is the best. Let’s dive in!

Ideas for Christmas

1. Holiday Appetizers

Successful holiday parties start with one thing: the appetizers. Choosing the right appetizers for your corporate Christmas party will start the celebration on the right foot and ensure your guests love every second of their time. If you want your Christmas party appetizers to stay in-theme, consider some of the following tasty bites:

• Baked brie with cranberries
• Roasted chestnuts
• Pigs in a Blanket wreath
• Spiced candied pecans
• Warm, baked spinach dip

2. Christmas-Themed Drinks

If you’re seeking Christmas gift ideas for your employees or coworkers, why not surprise everybody with delicious Christmas-themed drinks? No celebration is complete without a comprehensive drink menu, and to celebrate the season, you can consider making or catering drinks like an eggnog cocktail, cranberry mimosas, pecan pie martinis, or mulled wine!

3. Grand Christmas Meals

Christmas is the perfect time to go all-out with your main meal. Celebrate your corporate holiday party by having a multi-course meal or a holiday buffet packed with Christmas staples–or get your delicious holiday meal catered by us.

4. Delicious Christmas Desserts

What corporate holiday gathering is complete without delicious themed desserts? Your office Christmas party is the perfect time to go all-out on sweet treats. You can add an extra element of fun to your celebration by having a gingerbread cookie decorating station for employees to come together and create their own delicious dessert!

5. Have Fun With Holiday-Themed Challenges

Beyond the food, you want your corporate holiday party to have plenty of fun activities for everyone to enjoy. Consider getting people involved by hosting some challenges during your party, such as an ugly Christmas sweater competition. This challenge will get employees brainstorming the best Christmas party outfit ideas, making for a fun and exciting competition when it comes time to vote for your favorite outfit at the party!

Ideas for New Year’s and New Year’s Eve

1. New Year’s Dinner Ideas

The focal point of a New Year’s Eve party is usually the dinner, drinks, and the countdown at midnight, of course! Having an extravagant New Year’s Eve dinner is the perfect way to make your office party memorable and enjoyable. Some of our favorite New Year’s Eve dinner ideas include:

• A gourmet wine pairing dinner and tasting experience
• Outdoor BBQs and bonfires
• Around-the-world buffets (to make this idea extra fun, keep track of when the clock hits midnight in other countries and celebrate from across the globe by eating traditional foods from that country!)

Are you stuck searching for “New Year’s Eve Dinner near me”? Check out our holiday group dining menu.

2. Champagne and Tapas Tasting

No New Year’s party is complete without some champagne! Host a fun tasting experience with different types of champagne and pair the champagne with tasty tapas and small plates. Offer fun appetizers like charcuterie boards, banked brie wreaths, fondue bites, or shrimp cocktails!

Consider some of our favorite New Year’s Eve dinner recipes if you want to go beyond appetizers and offer a full meal!

3. Festive New Year’s Eve Desserts

One thing that comes to mind when we think of New Year’s Eve is the champagne. While you might assume it’s reserved for drinking, you can make your New Year’s celebration festive by having some champagne desserts! From cupcakes to trifles and cheesecakes, there’s no shortage of delicious bites you can make to celebrate this holiday season.

4. Fireworks and Outdoor Dinner Bash

Fireworks are one of the best New Year’s traditions, so why not make your holiday party special by having an outdoor dinner bash and watching the fireworks when New Year’s arrives? If your property has enough space, you can throw a fun outdoor party that brings you and your coworkers closer together.

5. Black Tie Buffets

The champagne, glitz, and glamor of New Year’s Eve is undeniable–so why not emphasize it with a fun black tie buffet? Bring your employees or coworkers together to enjoy a lavish buffet with the finest champagne and plenty of top-tier dishes to make the night one to remember!

Ideas for Thanksgiving

1. Traditional Thanksgiving Feast

Who doesn’t love celebrating Thanksgiving Day with a traditional feast? One of the best ways to celebrate the holiday is with a corporate Thanksgiving feast with all of the holiday classics, like the following:

• Turkey
• Mashed potatoes and gravy
• Stuffing
• Pumpkin pie
• Cranberry sauce

Find yourself searching for “Thanksgiving dinner near me”? Consider our services for all of your Thanksgiving catering needs!

2. Pie Potluck

One of the best corporate Thanksgiving events is a classic pie potluck packed with the most delicious Thanksgiving desserts! Have your Thanksgiving dinner catered, and finish off your celebration by asking employees each to make their own take on classic Thanksgiving pies for an end-of-party tasting experience.

3. Harvest Buffet

You can step outside traditional Thanksgiving feasts by having a fun Thanksgiving harvest buffet packed with delicious recipes for Thanksgiving and autumn, like roasted vegetables, slow-roasted meats, seasonal desserts, hearty soups, and more! With something for everyone, employees will undoubtedly love the annual holiday party this year.

4. Harvest Picnic

Share the spirit of Thanksgiving by celebrating with a fun, corporate harvest picnic that employees and their families can enjoy this holiday season. Along with having employees make and bring their favorite seasonal dishes, you can complete the experience with plenty of blankets and seasonal decorations to make a comfortable and fun environment for everybody!

5. Pie and Coffee Social

One dessert comes to everyone’s mind when they think of Thanksgiving: pie! One of our favorite Thanksgiving party ideas is a pie and coffee social, packed with the best Thanksgiving sides and treats to complete the experience. This cozy celebration will bring everyone together for a fun and memorable time!

Get Catering for Your Corporate Holiday Party

Whether you’re looking for catering for family celebrations or a corporate event, you can meet your catering needs with Kpacho. We provide the best catering services out of the restaurants near you, guaranteeing that your holiday events will be as delicious as they are fun. Contact us today to order take-out, schedule catering for your holiday parties, or visit us in person!