How to Stir Up A Few Friends - Cocktail Party

Member

By georgelarson
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (27 Ratings)

Semi-formal occassion to mingle over a cocktail.

A cocktail party is a great way to bring together friends, family, even co-workers in a semi-formal setting. This provides everyone with a great excuse to dress up a little, look fabulous, and converse over drinks and hors d'oeuvres.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Bar supplies
Appetizers
A few decorations.

Step 1

Your cocktail party should be festive and simple. Here are suggestions for preparing for your party.

- Estimate one pound of ice per guest.
-Determine which drinks you will be serving and have a supply of glasses for them. Include an assortment of glasses including wine glasses, juice and water; straight-sided highballs for tall drinks; tumblers, and martini glasses.
-Double the amount of glasses as your have guests invited.
-Choose a list of drinks you will be serving along with wine and beer.
-Your basic bar needs to include vodka, whiskey, wines and beer. When inviting more than 8 people you could add gin, tequila, rum, bourbon, vermouth, sherry, and brandy.
-The mixers depend on what drinks you plan on offering. The basics include orange juice, soda, tonic, ginger ale, cola, tomato juice, Tabasco, lemons, limes, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce.
-Avoid any mishaps by uncorking a few bottles of wine in advance and replace the corks.
-If your guest list suggests, or number of guest list is large, consider hiring a bartender to mix the drinks for your party.
-Always have coffee available, especially for guests that may need a little assistance at the end of the party.
Step 2

Decorate with a theme, colors, or special occasion. Keep it light yet festive.

-Line the bar with a variety of swizzle sticks in different sizes, shapes and themes.
-Use unique "picks" (again in fabulous shapes, sizes and themes) for your hors d'oeuvre.
- Use candles, flowers and/or soft music to set an elegant atmosphere.
-Use coordinated cocktail napkins, appetizer plates and table cloths.
Step 3

Your cocktail party menu guidelines.

Your cuisine tends to be finger food and should include a variety of tastes including seafood, meat selections, canapés, and a variety of sweets.
-When estimating food quantities, estimate 6 bites per person, per hour for a two hour party, if there will not be a sit down dinner.
-For hors d'oeuvres one ounce is equivalent to one bite. Put out a variety, especially when a full dinner is not planned.
-Make the appetizers portable so your guests can mingle without juggling their food.
-Although sweets are not typically considered cocktail party food, offer one or two sweet nibbles toward the end of the party. In addition to satisfying any lurking sweet teeth, it helps to let guests know that the party will be wrapping up soon.
-It is always better to overestimate than underestimate the amount of food you serve.
Step 4

Be a responsible Host.

-Provide non-alcoholic alternatives when mixing.
-Have 'last call' one hour before the party will be over.
-Encourage guests to drink water, coffee, and/or tea ½ hour before the party will end.
-Have several taxi company's phone numbers and offer it, or call for them, for any guests you believe shouldn't be driving.