How to host a cocktail dînatoire

Looking for an easy, but chic, way to host friends at home without lots of cooking? A cocktail dînatoire, also known as an apéro dînatoire, brings guests together over food and drink in a more casual setting than a dinner party. There is no assigned seating and you can help yourself to as much (or as little) as you want. A cocktail dinatoire is family friendly too. This blog post will walk you through how to host a cocktail dinatoire, step by step.

What is an apéro dinatoire (or cocktail dînatoire)

Similar to l'apéro (cocktial hour) but with more food, a cocktail dînatoire is an informal, yet chic, way to entertain that does not require a lot of investment or preparation and creates a wonderful evening! In Italy, it is called an aperitivo, and the essence is the same. Heavy snacks so that you don't have to go and have dinner afterwards. A cocktail dinner!

Easy way to host

When we lived in Nice, France, Le Chef and I loved inviting friends over for a cocktail dînatoire at our little apartment. 

Typically very few things are cooked for an Apéro (a bonus on a Chef's rare night of!), we are able to lay out all the food in advance so that when our guests arrive, we can spend the evening thoroughly enjoying their company. Before you know it, you have spent hours laughing and having meaningful conversations over Rosé, Martini blanc or Pastis and have nibbled the evening away. So much fun.

It has become a well choreographed routine for Le Chef and I. I set the table with small plates for food and big glasses for wine and prepare the playlist (usually a mix of 1960's French music and Bossa Nova). Le Chef displays the food in little dishes and bowls that he artfully arranges around the table, ensuring that the table looks as good as the food would taste. Mini spoons and forks are added to each dish, cloth napkins are pressed and the end result is always the right note of informal elegance. It is always such a good time.

How to host friends over when you have kids

A cocktail dinatoire is perfect for families with young kids that still want to have a social life. Set out the kid friendly snacks on the coffee table and let them snack away and roam as you enjoy a cocktail buffet.

Here are my tips for hosting a chic cocktail dînatoire in your home:

Les Invités - The Guests

A cocktail dînatoire is a great way to invite a larger group (with no assigned seating) but I love when they are around 5-6 people. Conversation is key and it is even better when everyone can share in one discussion. The French love to engage in meaningful conversations and the living room, or around a high counter in the kitchen is a great place to do it.

A cocktail dînatoire invitation is also a great way to welcome new friends into your fold. Not as intimidating as a sit-down meal invitation, a cocktail dînatoire makes for a great first date for new friends. 

Quand - When

The French way to host a dinner party is to start around 8pm. For a cocktail dînatoire, a start time of around 5 or 6pm is ideal. People with kids also love a cocktail dînatoire as it implies that one can be home in time to put the little ones to bed.

Drinks to serve at a cocktail dînatoire:

Wine is the classic. In the summer we serve a crisp Provençal Rosé like Chateau Miraval and in the winter a beautiful rich Burgundy or coarse Bandol. L'Apéro can also be exceptional with apéritif drinks such as Pastis, Apérol or Campari. For a special occasion I like to serve a Kir Royale Cocktail made with Champagne and Crème de Cassis.

Piscine Pêche - A Champagne and peach liqueur cocktail made famous by the town of Saint-Tropez.

St-Germain Spritz made of St-Germain liqueur, prosecco, sparkling water and lemon is deliciously refreshing.

You can find my list of 10 Easy French Cocktails here for more recipes.

Food to serve at a cocktail dînatoire

The general rule is that everything must be easy to eat, either with a toothpick or your fingers and cooking is very minimal. Anything that can fit on a small plate. Here is what we serve for our Apéros at home:

Les Olives

A small dish of olives is a must on our table. I like to go to Whole Foods' Olive Bar and take a selection of olives; almonds or garlic stuffed olives, spicy olives, kalamata and olives Niçoises if they have them.

Olive Tapenade is very simple to make is always a hit!

Spiced Pecan Recipe

You can easily buy spiced nuts, but I like to make my own for our Apéros. They are so easy to make! Take 2 cups of Pecans, sauté in a non-stick pan with a half stick of butter over medium heat. Add a generous drizzle of maple syrup as well as some chili flakes to taste. Once the pecans are coated with the maple syrup and butter, take them off the heat and pour them on to a non-stick cookie sheet to cool. They are SO good and are always a hit!

Don't forget the vegetables!

Cherry tomatoes are a classic cocktail dînatoire dish. If I am feeling fancy, I will add a half of a mini boccini on a toothpick on top of my cherry tomato and top with a slice of basil. It is like a mini Caprese salad on a stick! Radishes are also a favorite. Served with a little butter and salt, they are the perfect complement to a glass of Rosé.

French Charcuterie Board

A selection of charcuterie is an ideal for a cocktail dînatoire. I have written a full blog post about the art of the French Charcuterie platter here (hint - it is much simpler to make than the American version!)

Really, a cocktail dînatoire is the only time that the French will serve cheese and charcuterie together - but rarely on the same plate.

French Cheese Board

Really, anything works here. Choose what you enjoy! Le Chef and I tend to go for Comté and Gruyère We cut them into slivers that our guests can easily pick up and eat. C'est gourmand! On special occasions we will add a fresh goat cheese with fig jam or else a Truffled Manchego. When we find a good Camembert, we will add that as well. I like to make tiny cheese cubes for the kids.

I wrote a blog post about the art of a French Cheese Board here.

Le Foie Gras

Foie Gras is a French favorite for a chic cocktail dînatoire. I like to make my own Spiced Prune compote to serve with a log of Foie Gras or Foie Gras mousse. The flavor of the stewed California Prunes with Grand Marnier and spices is the perfect accompaniment to Foie Gras, charcuterie or a cheese platter.

La Pizza 

If you are looking for something with a little more consistency, a Provençal Pizza, cut up into little squares is a perfect addition. (no one has to know you ordered it in, save yourself the trouble!) Quiche, Bruschetta or Pissaladière ( an onion tart)  are also excellent additions.

Fresh baked Baguette

If you are looking for a super simple homemade recipe, check out my 2 hour Baguettes for Beginners recipe here. Sourdough bread also pairs beautifully, especially with a sharp cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have you hosted a cocktail dînatoire in your home? Let me know when you do!

About Le Chef's Wife

Bonjour! I am Anina Belle. I translate the fancy cooking of my Michelin-star trained French Chef Husband, Le Chef, into easy to make dishes that busy people with no culinary training (like me!) can make at home. We have two young kids (7 and 4) and I run a marketing firm in addition to this blog. I strongly believe that even busy people deserve to eat well at home.

Look inside our Kitchen with this recent Washington Post Article. We were recently featured on the TODAY SHOW for our recipes of French Onion Soup Gratinée and Moelleux au Chocolat. You can watch our full segment here:

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Au plaisir,

Le Chef's Wife