Final Hours to the New Year: Your Festive Menu.

When it comes to organizing celebrations, people often separate into a couple of quite different camps: people that adore doing it, and people that would choose to do virtually anything else. Being organized in advance is crucial, and finding a few scrumptious dishes to begin the festivities will entertain your visitors while you work to hold everything together.

Fennel, Lemon and Smoked Paprika Almonds

Savory almond snack

These citrusy, spiced snacks are a excellent companion for the vibrant pink grapefruit mocktails detailed further down.

Buckwheat Blinis with Ricotta and Salmon

Delicious starter with blinis

A scrumptious celebration starter that can easily be modified to serve with a different garnish for younger guests.

Refreshing Grapefruit Mocktails with Cardamom & Lime

Citrusy non-alcoholic drink

These beverages are a refreshing substitute to booze, but also make a wonderful mixer for a tequila-based cocktail.

Lemon-Infused Juniper Martinis

Classic martini cocktail

Homemade gin for a special festive martini, great for giving as a present or serving at gatherings.

Tender Lamb with a Zingy Sumac and Onion Salad

Succulent lamb dish

Revel in the praise of this show-stopping centerpiece – no one will possibly suspect how modest effort was involved.

Festive Chocolate Cranberry Tart

Festive chocolate cranberry tart

In this rich sweet treat, swirls of aromatic cranberry jam are baked into a chocolaty base for a duo that puts any surfeit of berries to good effect.

Walter Booker
Walter Booker

A UK-based astrophysicist and tech writer specializing in space exploration and satellite innovations.