1920s Murder Mystery Party Food & Drinks
Drinks
Classic Cocktails
Bring the glamour of the Roaring Twenties to your murder mystery party with timeless cocktails that perfectly suit the era. Popular choices include Martinis, Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, Sidecars, French 75s and Gin Rickeys. Serve drinks in elegant glassware with citrus twists, cherries or fresh herbs to create an authentic speakeasy atmosphere.
Mocktails
Offer stylish non-alcoholic alternatives so everyone can enjoy the celebration. Sparkling lemonade with berries, virgin mojitos, Shirley Temples, citrus spritzers and passionfruit fizz all look fantastic when served in champagne coupes or vintage glasses with fruit garnishes.
Champagne Ideas
Nothing says 1920s sophistication quite like champagne. Welcome guests with a glass on arrival or create a sparkling wine bar complete with strawberries, raspberries, peach nectar and elderflower cordial. A champagne tower also makes an impressive centrepiece for milestone celebrations.
Prohibition-Inspired Drinks
Capture the spirit of the Prohibition era with cocktails such as the Bee's Knees, Southside, Mint Julep, Whiskey Sour or Mary Pickford. Decorate your drinks station with vintage bottles, antique labels and Art Deco styling to complete the theme.
Signature Cocktails
Create one or two custom cocktails named after your murder mystery party. Ideas include The Smoking Gun, The Alibi, Mob Boss Martini, Poisoned Punch or The Detective's Daiquiri. Small printed menu cards make a fun finishing touch.
Drink Stations
A self-serve drinks station encourages guests to mingle while the mystery unfolds. Include champagne, wine, beer, cocktails, mocktails, soft drinks, sparkling water and fresh garnishes such as lemons, limes, mint and cherries.
Food Ideas
Finger Food
Finger food allows guests to continue questioning suspects while enjoying the party. Popular options include gourmet sliders, mini quiches, arancini balls, bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms, prawn cocktails, chicken skewers, cheese platters, spring rolls and mini sausage rolls.
Buffet Menus
Buffets are ideal for larger murder mystery parties because guests can eat whenever the investigation pauses. Include roast meats, pasta dishes, gourmet salads, fresh bread rolls, roasted vegetables, potato bake, seafood platters and a dessert station.
Formal Dinner Menus
A three-course dinner creates an elegant evening between rounds of the investigation.
- Entrée: Prawn cocktail, pumpkin soup or bruschetta.
- Main: Eye fillet with red wine jus, chicken breast with mushroom sauce or baked Atlantic salmon.
- Dessert: Chocolate mousse, sticky date pudding, cheesecake or tiramisu.
Desserts
Finish the evening with decadent desserts including chocolate truffles, macarons, mini cheesecakes, éclairs, lemon tart, brownies, pavlova, cupcakes or fresh fruit platters.
Vegetarian Options
Vegetarian guests will enjoy dishes such as mushroom risotto, spinach and ricotta cannelloni, vegetarian lasagne, stuffed capsicums, vegetable quiche, falafel wraps or grilled halloumi skewers.
Vegan Options
Popular vegan menu ideas include vegetable curry, chickpea salad, roasted vegetable platters, vegan pasta primavera, falafel with hummus, stuffed mushrooms, vegan brownies and seasonal fruit platters.
Gluten-Free Options
Provide naturally gluten-free dishes including roast meats, grilled seafood, salads, rice dishes, potato bake, roasted vegetables, cheese platters, flourless chocolate cake and pavlova so everyone can enjoy the celebration.
1920s-Inspired Menu Ideas
Capture the elegance of the Jazz Age with a menu inspired by the glamorous parties of the 1920s.
- Entrées: Oysters Kilpatrick, shrimp cocktail, Waldorf salad and devilled eggs.
- Mains: Beef Wellington, roast beef, chicken à la King, baked salmon and honey glazed ham.
- Sides: Duchess potatoes, buttered asparagus, dinner rolls and seasonal vegetables.
- Desserts: Pineapple upside-down cake, baked Alaska, bread and butter pudding, chocolate mousse and lemon meringue pie.
Complete the atmosphere with Art Deco table decorations, jazz music, elegant tableware and vintage menus to transport your guests back to the Roaring Twenties.
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- 1920s Murder Mystery Party Decorations