Lights, Camera, MARTINIS

Hosting an Oscars Viewing Party at Home

Mar 01, 2025

The biggest night in Hollywood is almost here - I’m not joking; it’s one of my all-time favorite nights of the year! Whether you're tuning in for the red carpet fashion, you’ve made some oscar winner bets, or you’re just trying to see how many oscars Emilia Pérez wins, an Oscars viewing party is the perfect excuse to gather friends, sip on elegant cocktails, and toast to my favorite award show of the year. Here’s how to host an Oscars night at home, complete with classic Hollywood cocktails and themed drinks inspired by this year’s Best Picture nominees, and some recipes on the website you can whip up at home!

The Essentials for an Oscars Viewing Party

Dress the Part – I’m sorry, but this is such a fun excuse to throw a dinner party and get all dressed up. Think black-tie or Old Hollywood glam. It could be overkill, but I know I’d never decline the invitation.

Set the Scene: You’ll see a lot of people going for the golds/red carpets but think OLD Hollywood.. go to a thrift store and find really cool vintage glasses, vintage silver, and lots of candles!

Ballots & Bets – Print out Oscar ballots and have guests predict the winners. Offer a prize for the most correct guesses! Here’s the NYT ballot below!

Movie-Inspired Snacks – Popcorn is a must, but take it up a notch with truffle parmesan popcorn, and an elevated charcuterie board is great to have. BUT again, if you want to take this up a notch, REMEMBER Chef Wolfgang Puck designs the Oscars dinner menu, so you know it won’t be your regular ol’ dinner.

EXHIBIT A

So think caviar & champagne pairings, think waygu beef sliders, or duck confit. Ridiculous? Maybe. But hey, it’s all in good fun, and I say if you’re going to go for it… Go for it!

Recipes to try with links:

Wishbone Kitchen: Grilled Oysters with a Green Garlic Butter
Cast-Iron-Seared Duck Breasts with Orange-Ginger Marmalade
Parmesan Truffle French Fries
Tater tots with caviar, see picture below
But seriously,

LET’S TALK DRINKS

Classic Hollywood Cocktails, specifically

These timeless drinks bring the glamour of Old Hollywood into your home bar. Let’s start with my obvious first answer…

The French 75, a tale as old as time. Gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup are shaken to perfection and topped with champagne (not prosecco, please)

Here’s my recipe you can use!

For a batched recipe, see post below!

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Here are three more you may not have thought of:

Blood and Sand

Named after the 1922 silent film, this scotch-based cocktail is a cinematic icon.
Ingredients:

3/4 oz scotch
3/4 oz sweet vermouth
3/4 oz orange juice
3/4 oz cherry brandy
Orange peel for garnish

The Sidecar

A Prohibition-era favorite with a crisp citrus kick, often linked to glamorous Parisian and Hollywood bars.
Ingredients:

1.5 oz cognac
3/4 oz Cointreau
3/4 oz lemon juice
Sugar rim (optional)

White Lady

A refined, frothy gin cocktail that was a favorite among the Hollywood elite. We actually just talked about this on our podcast! There’s gin, Cointreau, lemon juice, and an egg white. Here’s our recipe!

And of course, The 20th Century

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BEST PICTURE COCKTAILS

Now, if you’re looking for THEMED cocktails based on the best picture nominees, here are some easy classic cocktails you can twist to fit the movie!

Emilia Pérez Paloma, I’d add a split base of tequila & mezcal - you can use this recipe for a batched version

Anora’s Cosmo, but I’d use pink edible glitter when shaking this up recipe here

The Brutalist Black Manhattan, see liquor.com’s recipe here

Bob Dylan’s New York Sour, use this recipe

The Substance Apple-tini, I’d add a splash of grenadine at the end!

Oz’s Last Word, use this recipe

Dune: Part Two Reposado Espresso-tini, but I’d add in a little Irish cream to make it look a little more light brown like sand and topped with cinnamon!

Conclave Smoked Negroni, I’d smoke an herb like rosemary or thyme! You can use this recipe

And if you really want conclave to win, manifest it with this Negroni Platter

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