Cocktail parties are the perfect setting for catching up with friends and family over delicious food and drinks, escaping the crowd and loud music you’d encounter in a club or bar. And if you love experimenting with drinks and have a talent for mixing cocktails, then a soiree is definitely your scene to shine! Hosting a cocktail party doesn’t have to be as complicated as one might imagine. So, here are some absolute basic points on how to host a cocktail party.
How To Host A Cocktail Party
- Offer A Variety Of Beverages
- Don’t Forget To Have Non-Alcoholic Options
- Get Festive And Have Cocktail Garnishes Ready
- Keep Plenty Of Ice
- Stock Up On Refreshments And Finger Foods
- Get Your House Soiree Ready
- Set The Mood With Good Music
- Raise A Toast With Your Signature Cocktail
1. Offer A Variety Of Beverages
Any cocktail party demands the obvious alcohol. But don’t stick to just one or two options, instead have variety in the beverages. Everyone has a different taste and the drinks and food are what set the tone of the celebration. So as a rule of thumb, have at least three to four options in booze. Go for beverages that are common favorites among your guests.
Another thing to keep in mind while stocking up on drinks is to make sure that you have enough for everyone. It’s always better to overestimate than to run out of alcohol halfway through the party. Talk about getting in a fix! You could even opt for a batched cocktail like Mulled Wine – ones that can be prepared early in the day and served as the party begins. That way you wouldn’t have to run to the kitchen or bar to make cocktails every other minute.
Also Read: 7 Easy Cocktails To Make At Home
2. Don’t Forget To Have Non-Alcoholic Options
While stocking up on booze, don’t forget to make room for non-alcoholic beverages. You may have guests who might wish to go for lighter options for reasons such as having to drive back home. Whatever the reason may be, as the host of the party, your event must be prepared for all sorts of requirements your guests might have.
But this doesn’t mean you have to go overboard and have eight different options for non-alcoholic drinks. Instead having variety in terms of plain sodas and soft drinks, as well as some mixer options will do the trick. Your beverage bar can have a combination of Cola, lemonade, non-alcoholic beer, ginger ale, and a simple but delicious mocktail will be good enough.
3. Get Festive And Have Cocktail Garnishes Ready
Jazz up your cocktail party, especially your cocktail bar with fancy garnishes like edible glitter, edible flowers, and frozen fruits. It may or may not be your style, but then again what’s a cocktail party without some flair? If edible glitter and flowers seem too much on the nose for you, and you’re hoping for something a bit more subtle, then you can try fancy ice cubes. You can use molds to set clear ice cubes and fill them with fresh herbs, flowers, or fruits and water. The end result will be a clear ice cube with a pop of color at its center. Now that’s some fancy garnish!
So stock up your fruit basket, get the fresh herbs out and bring out the cocktail stirrers, which will add that party vibe to your cocktail bar. Cocktail garnishes aren’t the only things that can be festive. You can add fun and interactive elements to your cocktail bar like colorful coasters, cheeky cocktail napkins, bendy straws, and even little umbrellas!
Also Read: 8 Best Cocktail Garnish Ideas
4. Keep Plenty Of Ice
A cocktail party is in constant need of ice, and if you’re hosting one during the warmer months, then ice is going to be your best friend. There are a couple of things you could do to stock up on ice. First, you could start a week ahead of the party and get the ice cubes going at home itself. That should get you covered on the ice front without having to invest separately for it. Or you could buy an ice machine. They’re simply life-saving and really serve the purpose. In fact, these days you even get ice machines that prepare ice cubes in 5 to 10 minutes. Talk about quick! And if an ice machine is a bit too much, you can always go for store-bought bags of ice and keep it in your cooler, ready for use.
Also Read: 5 Ice Hacks For Your Cocktails
5. Stock Up On Refreshments And Finger Foods
No cocktail party is complete without food. For a successful party, a fun and satiating spread of finger foods and refreshments can go a long way. You can start with the classic cheese board with different types of cheeses and meats, crackers, and delectable toppings like olives, mixed nuts, grapes, and more. Cheese boards are a quick and easy fix for you as the host as well, and you can easily assemble the board 15 to 20 minutes before the guests arrive.
Have a separate food table and stock it up with napkins, toothpicks, small plates, and the essential cutlery. Your food table should have an assortment of easy-to-eat finger foods and should cater to both your vegetarian and non-vegetarian audience. By having an accessible and widespread food table, you are saved from having to roam throughout the party while serving appetizers. If your venue is vast, you can have several mini food tables set up at different parts of your house so that everyone has food at their fingertips.
6. Get Your House Soiree Ready
Once you’ve sorted out your food and drinks, it’s your house that needs to be prepared to host a party. Clear out the clutter, whether it’s your office supplies, magazines, or the children’s toys, get them out of sight. Add some welcoming touches to your house like fresh flowers in your vases, or light a candle or two. Make sure there’s enough space for your guests to sit back and relax. And don’t forget to stock up on the essentials like coasters, napkins, cutlery, plates, and of course, drink glasses.
Also, if you’re hosting a party, it goes without saying that there’s going to be quite some litter. Ensure to have multiple trash cans kept around the house for your guests’ ease. It saves them from having to go trash can hunting and saves you from having to pick up litter after the party. One final thing to prepare before your party are your bathrooms. It’s a small but important detail. Keep hand towels, handwashes, and toilet paper ready and in stock in all your washrooms.
7. Set The Mood With Good Music
What is a party without some music? It’s always nice to have some music playing in the background in case of awkward silences. But more importantly, your choice of music will set the mood for the rest of your party. So, think about how you want your guests to feel at your soiree and curate an energetic and fun playlist, one that everyone can jam to. It’s best if you get the music going even before the guests arrive.
It sets the tone for your party and your guests immediately feel the vibe of the event. You can have a nice even mix of various genres to cater to everyone’s likings. Start off with some cheerful party music and switch to something more soulful and jazzy. Though keep in mind that the volume of the music system is average, unlike in a club or bar. You want your guests to mingle and be able to hold conversations without the music interrupting them.
8. Raise A Toast With Your Signature Cocktail
Your cocktail party must feature your signature cocktail, that’s the norm! This is the time to showcase your inner alcohol enthusiast and mixing expertise, so don’t shy away. Go for something easy but fun which adds to your party’s vibe, perhaps a fancy martini or a delicious, colorful batch of sangria. Make sure that whatever your signature cocktail choice is, prepare a big batch so that everyone can have a taste and perhaps even come back for more!
Also Read: 8 Best Champagne Cocktails For A Cocktail Party
Summing Up
Here are some tips on how to host a cocktail party, and it doesn’t have to be overly complicated to be a hit. The popularity of your party all comes down to a few things – drinks, food, music, and fun! A good party is all about an inviting atmosphere and quality time you get to spend with your guests. And finally, make sure everyone drinks responsibly! Ensure that they either crash at your place, have a designated driver, or call for a cab to get home safely.
FAQs
What Happens At A Cocktail Party?
A cocktail party is a social gathering that includes friends and family, typically after working hours or over the weekend, and includes drinks, refreshments and appetizers, and light music. The atmosphere is quite relaxed, unlike in a club where it is energetic and pumped, allowing for conversations to hold.
How Do You Entertain Guests At A Cocktail Party?
You can have some fun party games set up like Jenga and beer pong. Make sure to have some fun, vibey music playing in the background that will set the mood for the party. And finally, mingle and interact with your guests, make introductions, and let the conversation flow.
What Food Is Served At A Cocktail Party?
For a cocktail party, prepare a classic cheese board loaded with a variety of cheeses and meats, crackers, and a number of different toppings. You can also add simple finger foods like nachos and dips, bite-sized kebabs, and small sandwiches. And don’t forget to have some dessert options as well, for instance, mini-cupcakes, homemade chocolates, or even brownies!
What Are The Three Elements Of A Cocktail?
The three main components of any cocktail are the base spirit (the core), the sugars (balance), and the seasoning (bitters). These together make a well-balanced cocktail.
How Many Appetizers Should I Serve At A Cocktail Party?
Aim for about five or six varieties of finger foods. Make sure to consider both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options to cater to everyone’s taste. And finally, have one or two dessert options without fail to have a more complete food menu for your party.
What Time Should A Cocktail Party Begin?
Typically, cocktail parties begin sometime in the evenings, post 6 pm, and generally last for about 3-5 hours. If you’re having it over the weekend, especially on a Sunday you could plan for an early evening soiree.
What Are The Three Most Popular Cocktails?
Cocktails like margaritas, daiquiri, cosmopolitans, sangria, old fashioned, gimlets, and martinis are some of the most popular cocktail options.
Do You Serve Dessert At Cocktail Parties?
Desserts are loved by almost everyone and unlike other food, you can’t go wrong with desserts. A delicious, bite-sized dessert at the end of the evening will be the perfect way to wrap up your cocktail party, so don’t miss out on the sweets!
