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Cocktail Party
Time to get out those
cocktail shakers and stirrers and have a night of pure glamour in the
comfort of your own home.
Get your guests to dress up for the occasion, maybe you could set a theme
for the evening - what about "Breakfast at Tiffany's"?
The gents can dig out their dinner jackets, while the ladies slip into
their little black dresses.
(Stuck for cocktail
ideas? Then check out our list of cocktails
with a little local twist.)
Your Budget
Before you make any
plans you need to decide how much you want to spend. If you're sticking
to a tight budget, you can ask guests to bring their own drinks.
The Basics
You'll need some basic
equipment to set up your bar. You can't expect to be able to shake up
and stir every cocktail under the sun , but you can start with the main
spirits and mixers, as well as:
- tables/chairs
- napkins
- glasses
- plates/dishes
- cutlery
- ice/ice bucket
- serving dishes
- cocktail shaker/stirrers
- bar measures
- swizzle sticks
- straws
- tongs
- soda siphon
- bottle openers
and corkscrews
- drinks trays
- ashtrays
- a good range of
music
The Drinks
Buy drinks according
to your budget - here are the main ingredients mainly used in cocktail
making
Spirits: gin, vodka,
rum, brandy, whisky, tequila, sparkling wine, and a selection of liqueurs
such as creme de menthe.
Mixers: cola, ginger
ale, Indian tonic water, club soda, fruit juices such as orange, mineral
water, grenadine and angostura bitters.
Garnishes: olives,
maraschino cherries, lemons, limes, oranges, Tabasco sauce and Worcestershire
sauce.
How much drink will
be required?
Allow half a bottle of wine per person, three cocktails per person and
a glass of soft drinks for the drivers.
Try our fabulous range
of cocktail ideas with a real
local flavour!
The Food
When it comes to cocktail
parties, finger food is the answer. Lay it out on a table and suggest
that people help themselves. That will leave you free to prepare your
cocktails.
If you are planning
for the party to last for around two hours, you will need 10-12 canapes
per person. Serve a good selection of hot and cold canapes and nibbles.
Don't forget to provide meatless options for your vegetarian guests.
Have a look at our
ideas for delicious finger food.
Canapes
and nibbles recipes
Top Tips
| 1. |
Decide on a budget
before you make any arrangements. Ask guests to bring a bottle if
you are working with a tight budget. |
| 2. |
Plan a guest
list. Expect around a third of your invitees to send their regrets. |
| 3.
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Set aside a part
of your room for the bar. |
| 4.
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Have your cocktail
recipes at hand, so that you know what ingredients are required for
each of the concoctions! |
| 5.
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For a drinks
party, finger food is the best option. Set canapes and nibbles on
a table and encourage guests to help themselves. |
| 6. |
Whatever drinks
you are serving, make sure that you have plenty of soft drinks and
water on offer. |
| 7.
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Have a good selection
of music to get the atmosphere just right. |
| 8. |
Have a swell
time and don't miss out on any of the fun! |
Send us your
suggestions for the ideal Cocktail Party
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