12 Sophisticated Sips and Snacks for Your Oscars Party

No one will be able stop noshing on this popcorn gussied up with homemade honey caramel, fragrant sesame oil, and toasted black and white sesame seeds.

Let your guests help themselves to next-level rum and cokes. A touch of pure vanilla extract and an orange or kumquat garnish make all the difference.

So much tastier than store-bought peanut butter cups, and thanks to the heart-shaped peanut butter swirls, way more beautiful, too.

How else will you toast the Oscar winners from your living room? Candied ginger soaked in angostura bitters takes this champagne cocktail to new heights.

We've improved on the classic movie-theater snack by switching out the mystery cheese sauce for super flavorful melted Gouda and blue cheese. Kettle chips, sliced jalapeno, sour cream, and snipped chives complete the dish.

This colorful, lip-smacking margarita relies on a homemade cranberry-lime simple syrup that can be made up to a week in advance.

Making soft pretzels from scratch is easier than it looks and so worth the effort. The best part? They keep beautifully in the freezer and just need a quick thaw in the oven before serving.

Homemade cranberry-ginger syrup is the star of this incredibly easy beer cocktail.

Not familiar with bucheron? It's a semi-aged goat cheese that holds its own when paired with bold romesco, the classic Spanish roasted red pepper and almond spread.

You only need five ingredients -- Lillet Blanc, vodka, amontillado sherry, angostura bitters, and orange peel -- for this sensational cocktail, which makes it easy enough to shake up to order.

Combine Lambrusco with bourbon and a sparkling orange beverage like San Pellegrino or Orangina for a cocktail that's as refreshing as it is versatile. Finish with a cinnamon-sugar rim.