A cocktail party is a party where you have cocktails exclusively. All the women coming to this party prefer wearing a cocktail dress. Cocktail parties have been very famous since a very long time. A cocktail party can last for approximately 2-3 hours, where all the guests have simple food along with their cocktails while talking to everyone. Cocktail parties are very entertaining for all the business associates and are held for personal functions as well. People plan cocktail parties for open houses, receptions or formal business meetings.
Guests present at the cocktail party are encouraged to have a variety of drinks, which are served either by the bartender or by the host. While planning for the quantity of alcohol to be arranged, you should counts three drinks per person. The focus of cocktail parties is on drinks and music and not on the food. A well-planned party is a blend of social mixing amongst the people and good selection of drinks. Cocktail parties are the best place to meet new people in a relaxed atmosphere. Hence, a cocktail party is also sometimes known as a ’social mixer’.
A good host at the party is someone who knows the right selection of drinks, especially alcoholic, for making cocktails. However, planning a cocktail party is fun and many people will want to attend it.
Here are some simple steps on how to plan a cocktail party :
Steps:
- A cocktail party can be simple or complex as per your wish. However, there are some questions you must answer before you start planning the cocktail party. For instance, number of guests for the party, formal or personal party, how much are you willing to put into this? Will you have a full or half-cocktail menu? You also need to decide on the theme and the type of food you will be serving.
- You don’t need a full meal for your party. Just organize some finger food or snacks, so that the guests can have them while moving through the party. Some of the best finger foods that go well with cocktail parties are shortbread, salmon tarts and Mocha bread. If you want something more simple than this, choose cheese crackers with fruits. To become a good host have food with drinks, and if you don’t want to cook at all then call for a caterer.
- Next thing to remember when planning a cocktail party is the drinks. Drinks are the most important thing in a cocktail party. You can have a full bar or drink menu. A full bar is where you give your guests a wide range of drinks to choose from. This is a good option if you have a well stocked bar along with a bartender.
- Drink menu is something where you keep your choice of mixed cocktail drinks, and the guests will have to choose from it. This is best if you have limited budget.
- Some of the popular cocktails are Cosmopolitan, which became popular after the movie Sex and the City. Dirty Martini has a salty taste with olive juice. Chocolate Martini is a favorite with people who like sweet things.
- The key rule to have a good cocktail party is to have a good stock of ice and drinks. Arrange a range of glasses like wine glasses, straight glasses for tall drinks, tumblers and martini glasses.
- The basic drinks that you will have to keep stocked are beer, wine, whiskey and vodka. Make sure that you have mixers as well like, tonic, soda, cola, lemons, ginger ale and horseradish sauce.
- Hire a bartender for making cocktails and this will give you time to interact with your guests. If you don’t think it fits your budget then ask your friends or some family member to help you in planning the cocktail party.
- Arrange all the important things like bar tools, glasses, napkins, plates and alcohol bottles.
- Start sending invitations to people at least 3 weeks in advance. If you are planning a cocktail party in December then send the invitations a month before, because it is a holiday season and people tend to go on trips.
- Add some ‘Wow’ factor in the party like a special drink, food or some activity or dancing. It should be different from the routine cocktail parties. If some of your friends do not drink alcohol, then arrange a few mocktails for them. Be a good host and enjoy the party!
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