Tis the Season for cocktail parties. Whether you are giving them or in attendance at someone else's party, it's fun to celebrate the holidays.

We had a cocktail party at our Chicago place just a few nights ago. There are seven new tenants in our building. We volunteered to hold a cocktail party so everyone could get to know each other a little bit better. When you live in a building as small as ours it's comforting to know the people you run into in the elevator. As friendly as our building is it's also nice to gather and laugh once in awhile. We decided that since it's so close to Christmas we should celebrate their moving in as well as celebrate the holidays.

When we set up this party we didn't ask for RSVPs so we really didn't know how many would come. Turned out we had about 20.

Rachel, our downstairs neighbor and the cats' favorite 'sitter' helped me put together the party. We decided on four easy appetizers. This was not meant to be a "dinner" party; just cocktails and a few appetizers. Rachel put together a beautiful, simple shrimp cocktail on her new square tray. She also made her favorite baked brie. I volunteered to make a spicy, pesto appetizer pizza. (You can find the recipe on my website at www.dinnerwithzola.com. Check under appetizers).

Our landlord recently bought the now, very popular Wagyu beef from a friend. He committed to the whole cow. For those of you not yet familiar with Wagyu, the easiest way to think of it is as the American version of Kobe beef. Kobe is the most flavorful, tender beef most people can buy. Kevin, the landlord and neighbor dropped off a roast for part of his contribution to the party. He said, "I bet Zola can think of something to do with this".

My schedule didn't allow me to get very creative so I simply roasted the meat, cut it into small slices, set out small rolls for sandwiches and put out horseradish as a topping. The most creative part was I drizzled balsamic vinegar reduction over the slices. Very easy. Those on low carb diets can just eat the meat.

My bigger creativity contribution was recipes for the cocktails. Those are my contribution for you today. We made two of the cocktails in pitcher-sized batches. Wow, what a hit! Hardly anyone asked for beer or wine. Everyone was raving about the cocktails so they all wanted to try them - and then have another. The party was filled with laughter, and by the end of a short evening we had made not only new friends, but already had plans to get together with several of them later in the week.

I wanted you to have some options beyond the regular offerings at your next cocktail party. Choose from these recipes and I'm confident you'll get rave reviews on your libations too.

Drink in moderation and enjoy your holidays!

Cheers, Zola

The Golden Yule (by the pitcher)

2 cups of citrus vodka
1 cup thawed frozen apple juice concentrate
one half cup of Calvados (apple brandy)
one quarter cup of thawed frozen lemonade

Shake over ice in a martini shaker. Serve in a martini glass or serve in a cocktail glass over ice.

Christmas Cosmo (per cocktail)

One shot of Grand Marnier
2 shots of good quality vodka
Splash of cranberry juice (just enough to make it pink)

Christmas Kiss

Serves 8

In a pitcher pour 1.5 cups of guava nectar
Add one bottle of sparkling rose'. Stir and serve immediately in champagne glasses
The wine will go limp if you don't drink these right away.

Holiday Bliss (by the pitcher)

2 cups of vodka
one cup of pomegranate juice
one quarter cup of thawed frozen lime juice concentrate
3 cups of ginger ale

Serve over ice.