Throw an Orange Is the New Black Emmy Party

It’s Emmy time!

The official kickoff to awards season starts tonight, and what better way to celebrate than with a themed party? If you are loving the Emmy-nominated — and winning! — Orange Is The New Black as much as we are, then we’ve got just the menu for you. A mix of prison-friendly fare (complete with an ingenious hack) and cool cocktails, these OITNB-inspired items will satisfy as you cheer on the girls to win the gold!

How might the ladies of Litchfield heat up a sandwich? Well, with a hot iron of course! Give these mini croque-madames a “prison hack” by using your own household appliance instead of baking in the oven.

Cell Mate Sandwich from Bagatelle NY
Makes 8 appetizer servings

2 cups shredded mozzarella
⅓ cup heavy cream
1 large egg yolk
1 tbsp. mustard
Salt
Freshly ground pepper
¼ cup butter, softened
8 slices country-style white bread
8 slices ham
8 slices Swiss or cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350˚. Stir together cheese and next 3 ingredients, season with salt and pepper and set aside.

2. Spread butter over both sides of bread slices. Layer 4 bread slices with ham and cheese. Spread with half of shredded cheese mixture; top with 4 remaining bread slices. Spread remaining shredded cheese mixture evenly over tops of sandwiches. Slice each sandwich in half; cut each half evenly into 4 squares.

3. Arrange bite-size sandwiches evenly 1/2 inch apart, cheese side up, on an aluminum-foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 350˚ for 12 minutes or until golden brown. (Prison hack: caramelize with an iron!)

RELATED: PHOTOS: Emmy Dresses That Give Us an Appetite

And for drinks inspired by the prison posse? These creative cocktails named for OITNB‘s resident cook, Red (Kate Mulgrew), and the SHU (Secure Housing Unit), will add the perfect punch to your party!

Red’s Revenge from Oliverio at Avalon Beverly Hills
Makes 1 cocktail

2 oz. vodka
1 oz. fresh lime juice
1 oz. strawberry puree
½ oz. simple syrup
balsamic vinegar
Freshly ground pepper
Strawberry

Fill a cocktail shaker ⅔ full of crushed ice. Add vodka, lime juice, strawberry puree and simple syrup; cover and shake vigorously. Strain into a 6-oz. cocktail glass. Top with a few drops of balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with pepper. Garnish with a strawberry.

Stuffed in the Shu from Gerber Group
Makes 1 cocktail

3 oz. vodka
½ oz. olive juice
blue-cheese stuffed olives

Fill a cocktail shaker ⅔ full of ice. Add vodka and olive juice and stir well. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with 3 blue-cheese-stuffed olives.

—Michelle Ward

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