HomeFeaturesEntertainmentOscar Party Drinks & Snacks That Are A-List-Worthy

Oscar Party Drinks & Snacks That Are A-List-Worthy

Hollywood’s glitziest, most glamorous movers, shakers, and trendsetters are set to walk on the red carpet on the evening of Sunday, February 28, in pursuit of Academy Awards glory — while movie aficionados across the globe watch, sip, and snack. Whether you plan to watch at home or at a party with friends, you’re bound to need some refreshment.

Here are a few ideas starring Garden State wine, spirits, and produce to set the stage for your Oscars viewing party. Lights! Camera! Cocktails!


More From Best of NJ

[bibblio style=”bib–row-3 bib–hover bib–white-label bib–font-arial bib–default bib–size-16 bib–shine” query_string_params=”eyJ1dG1fc291cmNlIjoiQmliYmxpbyIsInV0bV9tZWRpdW0iOiJNb2R1bGUiLCJ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ24iOiJSZWNvbW1lbmRhdGlvbnMifQ==” recommendation_type=”optimised”]


Red Carpet Champagne Cocktail

Villa Neri BramanteThis simple cocktail combines tart pomegranate juice with a touch of glamour and of course, a bold, refreshing New Jersey attitude.

Ingredients:

1 oz. Devotion Pure Vodka
1 oz. pomegranate juice
½ oz. fresh lime juice
¼ oz. simple syrup (optional)
Villa Neri Bramante sparkling rosé wine from Hopewell Valley Vineyards
Orange peel for garnish

Method:

Combine the vodka, pomegranate juice, simple syrup (if using), and lime juice in a mixing glass with ice. Stir well and strain into a chilled champagne flute. Top with the sparkling wine and garnish with a thin slice of orange peel.


Red Carpet Appetizer

Low in fat and packed with flavor, nosh on these while you watch the stars walk the red carpet (and judge their outfits).

Ingredients:

1 package pita
Extra virgin olive oil, as needed
4 Jersey Fresh red beets, thinly sliced
3 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
6 oz. feta cheese crumbles
2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped (optional)

fresh beetroot on wooden background

Method:

  1. Preheat an oven to 350°F.
  2. Cut each pita in half, then in half again to form 4 pieces. Cut each piece in half to form wedges. (As an alternative, cut the pita into small rectangles).
  3. Place the pita on a baking sheet in an even layer, then drizzle with olive oil.
  4. Toast the pita in the preheated oven until lightly golden and just crisp. Remove the pita from the oven and set aside.
  5. Toss the sliced beets with thyme, salt, pepper and garlic. Lay the beets on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast in the oven until fork-tender.
  6. Per serving: place 1-2 beet slices on top of the toasted pita. Sprinkle the feta cheese on top of the beets and garnish with the parsley, if using.

Crossroads Cocktail

JSBourbonThis cocktail and the “sliders” below were inspired the rustic scenery and wild west settings of Quentin Tarantino’s Hateful Eight (up for Best Cinematography and Best Score) and Alejandro González Iñárritu’s The Revenant (up for 12 awards, including Best Picture).

Ingredients:

6 oz. Crossroads Bourbon from Jersey Spirits Distilling Co.
2 oz. Noilly Prat dry vermouth
1 oz. grenadine
1 oz. Amaro Montenegro
Brandied cherries, for garnish
Orange peel, for garnish

Method:

Combine the bourbon, vermouth, grenadine, and amaro into a mixing glass with ice. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass over ice. Garnish with a brandied cherry and orange twist.


Wild West Territory “Sliders” with Matchstick Fries and Coleslaw

Ingredients:

½ head red cabbage, shredded
1 Jersey Fresh carrot, shredded
1 red pepper, julienned
4 oz. apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
8 oz. canola oil
2 large potatoes, julienned
1 loaf, ciabatta bread
1 lb. Chateaubriand or high quality roasted beef, very thinly sliced
Whole grain mustard, as needed
2 red radishes, sliced
Cornichons, for garnish

Carrot on a wooden table

Method:

  1. Combine the cabbage, carrots, red pepper, apple cider vinegar and sugar in a bowl and mix well. Cover the coleslaw and chill for at least 2 hours so the flavors can combine.
  2. Meanwhile, soak the julienned potatoes in cold water so they retain color, then rinse and pat dry.
  3. Heat the canola oil in a small saucepan. Add the julienned potatoes to the oil and fry for 1-1/2 minutes or until they are crisp. Drain the matchstick potatoes and sprinkle with salt.
  4. To assemble the “sliders,” cut the ciabatta half, then slice the bread into several small squares.
  5. Spread a small amount of mustard on a ciabatta square, then place the thinly sliced beef on top.
  6. Add a small amount of the coleslaw, a few of matchstick fries, and a slice or two of cherry tomato. Place another square of bread on top of the tomato, and then secure with a toothpick.

The Martian Red Cloud

GreatNotchGinInspired by Best Actor nominee Matt Damon’s travels on the Red Planet, this cocktail and snack combination is also out of this world.

Ingredients:

2 oz. Garden State Dry Gin from Great Notch Distillery
1 oz. Bols Maraschino Liqueur
1 oz. freshly squeezed blood orange juice
1 tablespoon simple syrup
Dash, Angostura bitters
Maraschino cherries, for garnish

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass over ice. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.


Tomato-Mushroom Tart

Ingredients:

1-2 packages puff pastry
6 Jersey Fresh plum tomatoes, sliced
Fresh basil, chopped
Fresh thyme, chopped
Extra virgin olive oil, as needed
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ lb. mixed mushrooms
2 shallots, chopped
Olive tapenade

Fresh plum tomatoes on the vine.

Method:

  1. Preheat an oven to 400°F. Cut the puff pastry into 6-in. rounds. Place the puff pastry on a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Top with another baking pan and place into the oven for about 20 minutes. Set the baked pastry aside to cool.
  2. Reduce the oven temperature to 200°F.
  3. Lay the tomato slices on a baking pan and sprinkle with olive oil, the chopped herbs, salt, and pepper. Place the tomatoes into the oven to slowly roast for about 2 hours.
  4. Sauté the chopped shallots in a small amount of olive oil. Add the mushrooms and cook briefly, then remove from the heat and set aside.
  5. Spread some of the tapenade on top of each puff pastry round. Fan the roasted tomato slices on top of the tapenade and then briefly heat in the oven until warm. Garnish with additional chopped basil and a light drizzle of olive oil, if desired.

Top (Hero) Image Courtesy: © raskjaer/Dollar Photo Club
Additional Body Images (In Order) Courtesy:
Hopewell Valley Vineyards
dusk / Dollar Photo Club
Photo Courtesy Jersey Spirits Distilling Co
George Dolgikh / Dollar Photo Club
Great Notch Distillery
Centaur / Dollar Photo Club

Newsletter Signup Prompt