There’s probably nothing easier to organize than a cocktail party at your own place. No booking is needed; you don’t have to queue up for seating in a crowded bar or wait for somebody to signal you that your table is ready for another round.
No professional bar is also necessary.
A few good bottles, some decent glasses, some ice and some preparations can easily make your usual evening into a party.
The key is simplicity – that’s the way to really enjoy the evening.
THE LUSH LIFE SHORTCUT
Select two or three cocktails, and get all the required ingredients beforehand. Be sure to have ample supplies of ice, and create a cozy environment for mingling.
The preparation process for the cocktails should be fast, since you would not want to spend the entire night behind the bar. Have everything that you need ready at hand when your guests arrive. The drinks are definitely a very significant component; however, there is more to consider than just that.
Choose a Cocktail Menu
Firstly, what drinks will be served?
There is no necessity to have all possible cocktails on the list. It is easier to make it shorter and give the evening some flavor.
However, if the party takes place during the summer season, cocktails like Margaritas, Daiquiris, Palomas, or Tom Collinses would be appropriate. If not, then for an evening event, Martinis, Negronis, Manhattans, and Old Fashioneds could be chosen.
It might be entertaining to construct the cocktail menu based on one spirit only.
Gin is a spirit that offers many options, and rum is great for tropical drinks. One can go traditional with whiskey.
Two or three cocktails will be sufficient in most cases, and there should be something non-alcoholic as well – a spritz, ginger-lime highball or just water with fruit juice.
Prepare Before Guests Arrive
Proper preparation will make hosting much easier.
Fruits can be squeezed beforehand, garnishes can be prepared and even simple syrup can be made prior to the party. Bottles can be cooled down, while glasses can be set up before the arrival of the very first guest.
The cocktail instruments should be easily accessible. It would be quite pointless to prepare such a perfectly planned drinks menu if the jigger has been hidden away somewhere in the kitchen drawer.
Special attention needs to be paid to ice.
It will be necessary for making cocktails as well as serving cocktails, hence, cocktail parties will need more of it than one can possibly think at first sight. Several bags of ice will have to be purchased in case of bigger parties and drinks are served on the rocks.
Cocktails that can be batched, such as Negroni or Punch, can also be prepared beforehand.
Create a Simple Home Bar
The appointed bar surely looks good, but it is certainly not a must-have item.
The bar may be located right in the kitchen; it can be a sideboard or a bar cart. All the equipment and ingredients for the cocktails should be arranged right there in one place. In addition, your guests will have a chance to find out what kind of drinks you have on that day.
Another way of making your party more interesting would be by including a little menu either written or printed. You could even design logos or simple graphics that you could include in the menu, invitation cards or the table decor. If you happen to be organizing a party, you can even get a banner made with the name of the party or perhaps even a cocktail. It will give your party a more formal look without complicating it even further.
Keep the Food Simple
Cocktails and food should go hand in hand.
However, it is not mandatory for you to transform the food into yet another elaborate activity. Finger food, which guests can help themselves with, is perfect – olives, nuts, cheese, charcuterie, crisp food, crostini, and dips work well.
The menu can even be created so that it goes well with the cocktail drinks.
Tacos and other Mexican food items go wonderfully with Margaritas, while salty items complement Martinis and Negronis. Summer cocktails go well with fresh fruits, and chocolate pairs up nicely with spirit cocktails.
The only point worth considering is the convenience of the food.
Set the Atmosphere
The proper ambiance could elevate any cocktail party from mundane to extraordinary.
First, take into account the lighting – softer light will usually make guests feel more comfortable, especially later in the evening.
Flowers, nice glasses and some thoughtful decoration elements will give character to the room without overwhelming it.
Another essential ingredient will be the music – the selection which was made in advance saves from worrying about that at the last moment. The list of jazz, soul, funk and cocktail-hour music will work very well, although the best option might depend on the evening’s mood.
The volume shouldn’t be too high to be able to talk to each other.
The scent of the evening can add to its atmosphere, however, it shouldn’t overwhelm. There will be lots of fresh fruits, food and cocktails’ smells anyway. Before starting a night away from home, a good travel perfume might be a nice touch.
Make the Evening Interactive
There may not necessarily be a structured activity for a cocktail party, but providing an opportunity for involvement can certainly make it more memorable.
Provide guests with some choices of garnishes to use for themselves. Those who are willing can also assist in shaking or stirring the drinks.
An alternative could be that of creating one cocktail and having everyone else do variations on it using various combinations of garnish, bitters, or fruit.
Not every experiment will necessarily turn out well.
That is all part of the allure of cocktail-making at home.
Keep the Focus on the Guests
The greatest mistake to make during a party is worrying about doing everything perfectly.
An almost perfect garnish and a not totally well-balanced cocktail will not spoil an otherwise great party experience.
Ensure that your guests are well-hydrated as you serve them with drinks other than cocktails and that they are drinking responsibly.
It does not mean that a good cocktail party must have the best-bottled cocktails, most expensive glasses and decoration.
Instead, it is the one where the guests feel relaxed, cocktails spark up the conversation, and none of them wants to go back home.
From the First Pour to the Last
A cocktail party held at home is really all about ensuring that one can have an atmosphere where great cocktails and great people meet.
One should select a practical menu, have the ingredients ready, and make sure ice is stocked while thinking about the lighting, music and food.
Then serve the first cocktail and relax into the rest of the evening. Great parties are just that!