The cocktail party concept has been around for over 100 years now. That means there have been countless parties involving guests socializing while snacking on small treats and drinking an array of yummy cocktails and other beverages. Are you looking to throw one yourself? If so, you should remember that it’s not always as easy as it looks.
A cocktail party generally lasts two or three hours and is often an open-house style of gathering. There should be many drink options and unique appetizer offerings as well. The best thing about cocktail parties is the opportunities for socializing. There is usually no dancing or loud music, and guests are encouraged to move about the room. It’s perfect for business events, intimate gatherings, or even receptions. Here’s how you can organize an unforgettable cocktail party for your next event.
Create a Theme
Giving your party a theme will liven it up and make it seem more like a big event than a party, no matter how many people you invite. A theme adds an element of fun and excitement. You can even do a theme if the party’s purpose is a birthday or retirement. If the honored person likes sports, for example, then do a sports theme. If you’re feeling adventurous and free-spirited, why not have a Gothic cocktail party? Guests can show up in Victorian-style gothic clothing and enjoy gothic black martinis or glow-in-the-dark cocktails. Having a theme will guide all your decisions about decor, food, and drinks and will provide a memorable experience for your guests. They may not be able to delineate between multiple themeless parties in their memories, but they will remember your themed one.
Send Out Invitations Early
Always send out invitations early so people can make it down in their calendars. While it’s becoming a lost art, why not send actual paper invitations? It’s rare nowadays for people to get mail they want and can actually use, so they will be excited to get it. If you are concerned about those guests that need electronic invitations to remember to save in their calendars, then you can also send a follow-up electronically. A paper invitation can be printed with designs and graphics that reflect your chosen theme and give your guests something that’s a throwback in this time of electronic communication.
Drinks
Since it’s a cocktail party, the drinks are the most important aspect. You want to make sure that you have some standard favorites on hand, some alcoholic drinks that aren’t cocktails, and some mocktails and soft drinks as well. Along with those, see if you can find some unique cocktails that fit your theme and that you think your guests might want to try. For example, a Hawaiian cocktail of some kind would work for a beach theme or a green cocktail for St. Patrick’s day.
Provide a drink menu with ingredients so that everyone can see exactly what it’s in each drink. This way, you won’t have to explain, and they will have all the information you need. If you want to be hands-off, you can have drinks in pitchers for people to help themselves. However, this means that you will have to be on the ball to refill. You can also hire a bartender or have a trusted friend handle drink dispensing duties.
To make preparation easier while still serving crowd-pleasing classics, you can stock up on old fashioned mixes designed to pair perfectly with bourbon’s rich, oaky flavor. They’re especially useful for entertaining, since they let you serve smooth, balanced bourbon cocktails quickly while still keeping that refined, bar-quality taste.
Food
While not as important as drinks, you still want to provide a quality selection of foodstuffs for your guests. Food can also meet your theme, and it’s always a good idea to provide something new and different. You should also offer items for those guests who aren’t adventurous when it comes to eating. While you aren’t serving a meal, you still don’t want anyone to leave with a rumbling stomach. Since everyone’s hands will be full, make sure that as much as possible is served with cocktail skewers. They make one-handed eating easier and can be easily tossed in the trash or cleaned for future use.
Decorations
No matter where you are holding the party, whether it’s at your home, the office, or a rented space, you can decorate it to match your theme. There is no end to the options you can have for decor. You can start with the cocktail table. On each one, place some sort of centerpiece that reflects your theme, such as sea shells for an “under the sea” theme. Next, you can put up an archway or decorate the door to the party to give the sense of walking into another world of fun and socializing. Be creative, and think of things you’d enjoy. There’s a good chance your guests will enjoy them too.
Music
While your theme might not lend itself to a certain type of music, you will still want something that is appropriate for cocktail parties. Remember, cocktail parties aren’t usually about being raucous and dancing. They are for gathering and socializing. Therefore, you want music that catches the ear but is also found as background accompaniment. You can hire a jazz band if you want, use a pre-set playlist, or have a DJ. The key is that you want your music to be enjoyable but not detract from the human interactions being made around the room.
The most important thing about a cocktail part is that it’s a party! So have fun, be creative, and always keep your guests in mind when planning something. Using these tips, you can create a cocktail party that your friends and colleagues will remember for years to come.
Photo by Aneta Pawlik on Unsplash
