With the Oscars just hours away, it’s time to get serious — serious about planning a little soiree with your movie-loving friends who also love to get dressed to the nines.

The Oscars are a fun event in my house. We’re big movie people, so I’m always excited to see who takes home the gold. I like to invite over a handful of friends for an Oscars viewing party, mix up a few fun cocktails that are classy, swanky and delicious, and add a few little nibbles too. I mean, let’s be honest here — it’s really all about the cocktails in this case. No one actually eats at those awards shows; it’s more about the drinks, socializing and looking fabulous.

So in honor of that, here’s my Oscar party cocktail menu that you can whip up in no time:

Bobby has a great recipe for a Kir Royale. This drink only has a few ingredients, but they’re fun and decadent, so when you mix them all together you’ve got a gorgeous bubbly concoction that’s going to be a crowd-pleaser! Bonus: you can ask your friends coming over to pick up a bottle of bubbly or two to use for these drinks.
Get the recipe: Kir Royale

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In celebration of Hollywood’s biggest night of big-screen honors, the stars of your favorite movies from the past year will come together at the 85th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday night to recognize the most outstanding performances in film — and the most fashionable styles, of course. While you may not be in Los Angeles this weekend to partake in the action on the red carpet, you can celebrate top nominees with the next best thing: an Oscars viewing party at your place, complete with fellow movie-buff friends and a spread of elegant yet comforting snacks and sips. We have a crowd-pleasing menu inspired by some of the most popular films, plus classic movie munchies and sweet concessions to help you pull off an award-worthy bash with ease. Check out Food Network’s favorite movie-themed recipes below, then tell us in the comments: How will you be celebrating the Oscars this weekend?

As the celebrities make their way from limousines to red-carpet interviews, raise a glass to the evening to come with Food Network Magazine‘s bright, refreshing Red-Carpet Cocktails made with crimson-colored pomegranate juice and toppers of gin and champagne. Let guests help themselves to a concession-stand favorite — crunchy, salty popcorn — to help recreate the moviegoing experience in your living room. Food Network Magazine‘s Theater-Style Buttered Popcorn (pictured above) is a must-try recipe, boasting clarified butter instead of simple melted butter so that each kernel is coated with flavor but isn’t soggy or greasy.

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We’re celebrating the Oscars Food Network-style, with menus inspired by each best picture nominee (see all the posts here). Today, last but not least, two films starring young, strong-willed females: True Grit and Winter’s Bone. Both are set in the wild countryside and call for down-home country cooking (plus a few great puns).

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Oscar night picks for the young at heart: Dishes to "Like" or "Share" and recipes that are child's play.

Young at heart, or just too cool for school? The cool kids will be on the small screen at the Oscars this weekend. In a Best Picture field crowded with serious films and old-school subjects, two movies stand out for their youthful appeal: The Social Network and Toy Story 3.

All week The Dish is offering winning menus and recipes tailored to the nominees for Best Picture. Today, the tale of a brainy techno-whizkid’s creation of Facebook is food-fighting with the classic toys adventuring as their kid heads off to college.

So, WWMZE? What might Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg eat to celebrate (or not) if The Social Network wins best picture at this weekend’s awards? WWBLE? What might Buzz Lightyear sit down and enjoy if Toy Story 3 rockets to the winner’s podium (and if he weren’t an animated character)? Consider this a friendly foodie faceoff–which of their food picks wins?

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Can’t make it to the Oscars? Grab your ballot, don your formal wear and make snacks instead, themed to match all the nominees for Best Picture. Every day this week, we’re featuring a new batch of ideas for two of the films (See all the posts here.) Today: The Kids Are All Right and Inception.  Pit family dram-com against science fiction with these plot-thickening snacks.

See our movie-themed snack picks »

Horray for Hollywood-decorated cupcakes (image from Food Network Magazine)

What, no ticket to the 2011 Oscar Awards this Sunday? Consider it a lucky opportunity to view the red carpet from the best seat anywhere: your couch. You’re free to heckle the stars (their attire, hair, dates) as you wish, and shout out loud with excitement or disappointment when each winner is announced. And without a slinky dress or monkey suit to starve yourself into, you can enjoy a nominee-themed menu without worry.

Check back here every day this week — we’ll be posting menu ideas for all of the Best Picture nominees so you can eat along with your favorite film, or pick and choose from each to create your own award-winning menu. Today, Black Swan and The Fighter; two movies about battling foes both internal and actual. For tense dramas like these, popcorn just won’t do.

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