Fall drinking party ideas?

[booyah]

I work in a fun office that has a lot of 30-something year olds, most of whom have families. I would like to have a fall-themed party, revolving mostly around drinking with some appetizers. I've done wine and cheese parties in the past, I'm thinking of something similar to that, but different, if that makes any sense. It would be for around 15 people. Any ideas?

[jennistarr1]

do you want everyone to bring a dish or does the company supply a budget?

[booyah]

No, it wouldn't be work-related other than that is where my friends all work (we are all military lawyers and get along really well.) So I'll be paying for everything and cooking everything, although I can/will ask everyone to bring a drink or drink ingredient if it is cocktails.

[jennistarr1]

you center around a common ingredient...like apples And do like a spiked apple cider and apple wine and apple martinis, for savory items do like pork/apple thing, brie bites with apple on top, apple cake/pie for dessert. If you pick the theme you could ask around and internet search for good recipes

[magdala9]

Friends of ours throw a harvest party that uses seasonal ingredients (much from their garden).
They threw this year's party last weekend and the menu was:

White bean dip with crudites
Cheese plate of four local cheeses with concord grapes, seckel pears and red delicious apples
Ciabatta, sesame sticks and cheddar pennies
Butternut squash soup
Pumpkin tortellini with mustard sauce
Crockpot Pork roast in apple cider with onions and shallots
Smashed potatoes with lemon, parsley and garlic
Roasted sweet potatoes with caramelized onions.
Spinach apple salad with ranch dressing
Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
Apple pie
Cheddar Pear Pie
Caramel brownies

She had two punches--an adult, alcoholic Apple Pie in a Glass that was fantastic and a cranberry fizz (non alcoholic) punch for the kids--in addition to a keg of a local microbrew.

[booyah]

Great ideas! Thank you!

[orval]

Even though it is November, you could do an Oktoberfest. You should still be able to find Oktoberfest beers, maybe some harvest/pumpkin beers too. Pretzels, beer cheese dip, bratwurst,sauerkraut. You could add in some nice German Rieslings for the non beer drinkers.

[booyah]

Awesome, I love the ideas. I can't wait to go shopping!