How to Throw a Cocktail Party

A fruity cocktail

If you want to bring friends or family together for a fun night of socializing and drinks, you should throw a cocktail party. That's what it is, hanging out with drinks. Besides delicious beverages, a cocktail party can involve entertainment and food.

Things You'll Need

• Invitations
• Cocktail napkins
• Drink stirrers
• Straws
• Cherries
• Olives
• Sliced lemons
• Sliced limes
• Ice bucket
• Ice
• Glasses
• Music

Instructions

1. Look through your calendar and consider a date for the party. Choose a date and time convenient for your guests. For example, a 4 p.m. party on a Friday night is not practical. For an informal cocktail party, notify guests one week prior. For a more formal event, mail invitations at least two weeks prior.

2. Set up a bar and several tables for guests. Create a menu of signature cocktails along with appetizers and sweet treats.

3. Stock the bar. If you hire a bartender, review the drinks list together. If you plan on making the drinks yourself, practice a couple mixes until you master the correct portions.

4. Set out all supplies: napkins, stirrers, straws, cherries, olives, lemon slices and lime slices or wedges. Fill an ice bucket and place near the bar. Clean and set out glasses. The kind of glass depends upon the drinks you are serving. A martini glass has a wide top and narrow stem. A highball glass is tall and skinny, usually used for Bloody Marys. Cocktail glasses have a wide rim and narrow down a bit to create a "step" down in the glass, which then rounds out and comes into the stem. It is also wise to have shot glasses on hand in case some want a quick shot to kick off the party.

5. Turn on music to set the mood according to the crowd and the party's formality. For a quaint get-together, choose music everyone generally enjoys. For a formal event, go with classical or instrumental selections. For a wild party, turn on R&B or rap.

References

• Daisy: How To Host The Perfect Cocktail Party
• Announcing It: Hosting A Cocktail Party

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Webtender: Drink Recipes