Whether you're planning a lavish soirée or an intimate gathering, every successful event is more than the sum of its parts.

This Christmas, go ahead and give yourself the best gift of all by not playing bartender all night at your holiday party! Big batch cocktails, holiday punches, and easy-to-make Jell-O shots are truly ...

Skip cocktails for make-ahead seasonal punches—sparkling pear, warm wassail or boozy Jingle Juice—self-serve drinks that free hosts to enjoy the party.

From cookie swaps to Christmas potlucks, you'd be hard-pressed to find a holiday party that wouldn't benefit from a festive drink. But instead of playing bartender all night, why not whip up a big ...

1. Brew and chill chamomile tea ahead of time. 2. Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl or large pitcher. 3. Add a big block of ice (or plenty of cubes) just before serving. 4. Stir well to ...

Dec. 10—By now, we're deep into the season of holiday parties and you're running low on ideas of items that will impress a cocktail swilling crowd. Years ago an acquaintance of mine initiated a 12 ...

The overflowing punch bowl is the standard beverage of a holiday party, boozy and bountiful. But what if not everyone is drinking — or wants the same kind of liquor? The drinks writer Rebekah Peppler ...

Consider dry ice for drama: “For a show-stopping effect, place small pieces of dry ice in a tea infuser and let them hang in ...

Start with a spiced, citrus base, made with lemon peels muddled with brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, star anise, black peppercorns and tea leaves. Then, make a holiday drink your way. If you ...

You may be best known for an over-the-top winter libation. But come Christmas party season, the host with the most shouldn’t be stuck in a corner, mixing drinks for all her guests—especially at her ...

For more audio journalism and storytelling, download New York Times Audio, a new iOS app available for news subscribers. Supported by Here are four ways to nail your next party, whether you’re hosting ...