♪ It’s me, hi. I’m the problem, it’s me. ♪
Why? Because before taking on this project, I didn’t really consider myself a big Taylor Swift fan. Then Eras Tour fever hit. While some of our team were lucky enough to snag tickets, most did not, which inspired us to come up with ideas for throwing our own party. I’m nothing if not thorough, so I threw myself into the task of coming up with all the apps, dips, and cocktails you could possibly want for the perfect Taylor Swift-inspired party—I listened to nearly every song off of every album (did you know there are TEN of them, plus Taylor’s Versions!?), I found out about Taylor’s favorite foods (hello, chai cookies), I found interviews she’d given (ngl, that NYU commencement speech is pretty inspiring) and watched a LOT of TikToks (the BUG, the security guard, drunk Taylor...). Whether you’re gearing up to see the show of a lifetime or are trying to fight off FOMO by having your own Eras Tour celebration at home (or in the parking lot), I hope these 40 food and drink ideas will inspire you (or at least make you laugh!).
From Taylor Swift: (Bloody) Mary's Song (Oh My My My)
Taylor has said she wrote this song about a "couple that lived next door" who'd known each other as kids, and gotten together and married when they were older. Among all the celebrity drama, our girl liked that she could just look next door to see a "perfect example of forever." We'll cheers to that!
Get the Bloody Mary recipe.
From Fearless: White (Horse) Russian
♪ I was a dreamer before you went and let me down,
Now it's too late for you and your white horse,
To come around ♪
If you can relate, may we suggest a White Russian to take the edge off? The White Russian is a twist on the Black Russian (it becomes white with added cream) and seems to have been invented some time in the 1960s. It basically tastes like a chocolate milkshake, but with alcohol. What could be better for a bruised heart than that?
Get the White Russian recipe.
From Red: Everything (Bagel Seasoning) Has Changed
When Taylor met someone (Conor Kennedy, if rumors and lyrics referencing "green eyes and freckles" are to be believed), her whole world changed—much like how we felt when we discovered everything bagel seasoning. Truly, this stuff goes on EVERYTHING, from our everything bagel-crusted salmon to our everything bagel focaccia—we're in love!
Get the Everything Bagel Seasoning recipe.
From Speak Now: If This Was A Movie
♪ You'd be back by now. ♪
...And there'd be popcorn. Best part about making it at home? You can avoid overly greasy hands AND add all the toppings you want—try nutritional yeast, Old Bay, or cinnamon sugar!
Get the Stovetop Popcorn recipe.
From 1989: Shake It Off
♪ I go on too many (bacon-wrapped) dates
But I can't make 'em stay
At least that's what people say, mm-mm ♪
If you've never tried dates before, let this bacon-wrapped party appetizer be your introduction. Filled with tangy goat cheese, wrapped in crisp bacon, and brushed with a sweet and spicy maple syrup glaze, these dates have the perfect balance (and you can never eat too many, so make extra!).
Get the Bacon-Wrapped Dates recipe.
From Reputation: "Que-"so It Goes
♪ Honestly baby ♪, this party dip did a number on us. It comes together in under 30 minutes, is perfectly smooth and cheesy, and is practically a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Serve this along with our favorite salsa and tortilla chips for the perfect satisfying app.
Get the Queso recipe.
From Lover: You "Peppero-"Need To Calm Down
And this party dip is just the thing to help! It's super-low stress to make and is perfect for sharing with friends. Look, we'll take a slice of pizza any day, but when we're looking for a hot and cheesy dip, this is the next best thing to the classic pie.
Get the Pepperoni Pizza Dip recipe.
From Folklore: Illicit "Éclairs"
Here's the real thing about illicit affairs éclairs—they're SO good, but are actually really difficult to make! Skip that "godforsaken mess" and make this eclair cake instead.
Get the Éclair Cake recipe.
From Evermore: Coney Island
Found yourself "sitting on a bench in Coney Island, wondering 'where did [your] baby go?'" Tough times, but at least you got to experience the "fast times, the bright lights, the merry-go"... and hopefully some corn dogs. These mini ones will never let you down.
Get the Mini Corn Dogs recipe.
From Midnights: You're On Your Own, (Sour Patch) Kid
♪ And you always have been. ♪
First they're sour, then they're sweet—sound familiar? Taylor knows what we're talking about, and so will all your friends when you serve up these adorable Jell-O shots.
Get the Sour Patch Kid Jell-O Shots recipe.
From Taylor Swift: Picture To "No-Churn Ice Cream"
You could serve up something hot and spicy to represent this country banger off of Taylor's first album... or you could make a no-churn ice cream instead, like our mudslide ice cream (pictured), our strawberry shortcake vegan ice cream, our banana pudding ice cream... Forget about ♪ wasted time ♪, these recipes are almost completely hands-off!
From Fearless: The Way "Olive" You
Fresh tortellini and green olives make these the hearty bite-size appetizer of our (wildest) dreams. Feel free to swap in and out your favorite ingredients (or have guests build their own from a topping bar!).
Get the Antipasto Bites recipe.
From Speak Now: Enchanted To "Meatball" You
Part cheese dip, part meatballs, this skillet dip is miniaturized for maximum shareability. Top the whole skillet with a generous sprinkling of thinly sliced scallions, and you’ve got one colorful party on a chip.
From Red: Be-"Gin" Again
The addition of a blueberry syrup turns a classic gin and tonic into a perfect summer drink, making it fruity, a little sweeter, and a beautiful shade of purple. It’s a fun party drink that mixes up quick with very little effort.
Get the Blueberry Gin & Tonic recipe.
From 1989: "Mildest" Dreams
While you may be tempted to grab a jar from the store, trust us—making it homemade is not only worthwhile in the flavor department, but also couldn’t be easier to create and customize to your tastes. No matter what salsa camp you fall into—chunky vs. smooth, spicy vs. mild—we’ve got all the top tips here to make simple, fresh salsa right at home, just how you like it.
Get the Homemade Salsa recipe.
From Reputation: Getaway Car-bs
If you're a fan of garlic knots, this recipe is basically the bite-sized app version, covered in gooey cheese, garlic butter, and fresh herbs. The best part? They only take a little over half an hour to come together, meaning they're the perfect appetizer to bring to any Taylor Swift-themed party (even last-minute ones!).
Get the Parmesan Bread Bites recipe.
From Lover: Cruel Summer
♪ And I screamed for whatever it's worth
"I love you"—ain't that the worst thing you ever heard?
He looks up grinning like a devil-ed egg... ♪
While deviled eggs are fairly simple to make, there are a few ways you can go wrong when making this staple party appetizer. If you’re looking for a foolproof method to hard boiling and filling yours, our best recipe should be your new go-to.
Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.
From Folklore: The 1
For this cake, we traced our number on the back of an empty cereal box to used it as a stencil—trust us, it's very doable! Use this method (or a number-shaped cake pan, no shade) to write out the number one (or go big and do 1989). As long as you top it with a fun assortment of candies and/or fruits, it'll look adorable no matter what.
Get the Number Cake recipe.
From Evermore: Gold Rush (Cocktail)
Fans of the whiskey sour to the front, please! The Gold Rush cocktail is the whiskey drink you’re already in love with, but with honey instead of simple syrup. Try this with hot honey instead if you’re a spicy cocktail person, and want to give it a bit of a ♪ rose blush ♪.
Get the Gold Rush Cocktail recipe.
From Midnights: Anti-Hero
♪ Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby
And I'm a monster (cookie) on the hill ♪
The origin of the name "monster" cookies isn't clear, but it may refer to the fact that they're like Frankenstein's monster—made up of a combination of the parts of many other cookies. We love 'em because you can really throw anything into the dough.
Get the Monster Cookies recipe.
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