Have a Drinks, Appetizers, and Desserts Dinner
by Wen Zientek-Sico
Looking for a great party idea for summer parties? Check out our D.A.D. (Drinks, Appetizers, and Desserts) party plan and recipes.
What is everyone's favorite part of a party when it comes to food? Drinks, Appetizers, and Desserts, of course! In the summer, when appetites are lessened and no one wants to eat heavy food, they are my favorite type of party to throw.
While it may seem odd to have a party composed simply of drinks, desserts, and appetizers, it is very easy on the host or hostess, and as long as you balance the menu, great for the guests too.
Here are some pointers:
- Make sure your invitation states in advance that it is a D.A.D. party. If your guests come expecting a real sit down meal, not only might they be disappointed, they might end up leaving the party hungry.
- Choose similar items in terms of how they need to be served or eaten. It will make it easier when you need to arrange for plates, utensils, seating, tables, and the like. If you have three items that need to be served in bowl for example, it makes it hard for people manage a plate and three bowls should they want those dishes. If you opt for items that need to be cut or eaten with a fork and knife, make sure to provide sturdy plates and utensils along with surfaces for them to eat off of.
- You can have a sit down D.A.D. dinner, but it is better suited for a sit down or casual buffet.
- D.A.D. dinners work great for parties with small numbers, but they are even better for larger numbers. It is my favorite type of menu to serve for open houses and large get-togethers.
- If you are having a large number of guests, consider choosing desserts and appetizers that are bite sized and highly portable. You can see our article about Roving Food for more hints about this type of party.
- This type of party is also ideal for utilizing station buffets. I usually create five stations. At one I will have a bar, where people can make their own mixed drinks and pour soft drinks, and the second is usually a punch station where several mixed punches (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are available. The third is a table of cheese, crackers, cut fruit, vegetables, dips, spreads, and the like. It is all served at room temperature and fits that kind of grey area between snack, appetizer, and dessert. I will have a final two stations, one offering desserts and one offering appetizers.
- Don't limit a D.A.D. party to a celebration for a dad. This type of party is great for wedding receptions, showers, graduations, anniversaries, block parties, open houses, and other large parties.
Here are our suggestions for a wonderful D.A.D. party just for Dad.
Drinks Alex's Margaritas Berry Good Punch Blue Skies Margaritas Café Creosote Lemonade Chocolate Martini Citrus Slush Frozen Coffee Shakes Frozen Strawberry Margarita Icy Hard Pink Lemonade Melon Margaritas Mexican Style Sangria 'Nana 'Ritas Peach Daiquiri Sally's Sangria Strawberry-Banana Colada Strawberry Spritzer Traditional Sangria Wen's Favorite Sangria Appetizers Anchoiade Bacon Radish Pinwheels Cheese in Round Rye Bread Classic Guacamole Crab & Cheese Mushrooms Creamy Cucumber Dill Dip Curry Dip Easy Salmon Ball Favorite Chicken Quesadillas Green Chile Squares Grilled Shrimp Healthy Chicken Quesadillas Herb Cheese Stuffed Snow Peas Light Cucumber Canapés Lobster or Crab Melts Mexican Fondue Mexican Marinated Mushrooms and Onions Mushroom and Cream Cheese Canapés Prosciutto with Melon and Blueberries Roquefort Dip Smoked Oyster Spread Spicy Grilled Chicken Wings Vidalia Onion Cheese Dip White Bean Bruschetta Desserts Almost Instant Chocolate Mousse Blackberry Pudding Broiled Peaches with Crème Fraîche Choc Choc Cherry Chip Cake Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball Chocolate Cream Mousse Chocolate Cuppuccinos Chocolate Toffee Ice Cream Pie Everything Macaroons Flan Flambé Frozen Chocolate Frango Hot Fudge Cake Individual Berry Tiramisus Inside Out Cannolis Irish Whiskey Freeze Margaritaville Party Pie Mexican Sundaes Orange Glazed Grilled Pineapple Pineapple Coconut Chess Pie Raspberry Bavarian Rich Lemon Cake S'Mores Cheesecake Strawberry Angel Cake Strawberry Ice Box Cake Strawberry Ice Cream Angel Food Cake Strawberry Lemon Turnovers Strawberry Orange Shortcakes Super Fast Pineapple Pie Triple Ginger Lemon Pears Vernalisa's Strawberry Pie
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