Food & Wine
Christmas Cocktail Party
A grand log home near Livingston, Montana, provides the ideal location for holiday drinks and bites as elegant as the setting

When Susann and Doug Saarel throw their annual Christmas party at their 7,400-square-foot log home on a mountaintop just west of Livingston, Montana, the evening is anything but a rustic Rocky Mountain event. “We like an elegant holiday affair, a good excuse for everyone to dress up,” Susann says.

An elegant evening calls for elegant hors d’oeuvres, which this year, came courtesy of Dan Hardy, executive chef/owner of Second Street Catering (secondstreetcatering.com) in Livingston. Unique, made-to-order cocktails were created by Brian Menges, co-owner of sister restaurant Second Street Bistro (secondstreetbistro.com).  

Serve one or all of these party-perfect sips and bites at your next celebration for an instant dose of holiday style.