How to Organize an Unforgettable Cocktail Party

Cocktail parties have been a popular social gathering for many years. Cocktail parties were hugely successful in the early decades of the 1900s, were fueled in the United States by Prohibition, and faded somewhat during the latter part of the century… But they have made a big comeback in recent years!

Cocktails are perfect for entertaining friends or business associates 🤝, or a mix of both.

A cocktail party typically lasts 2 to 3 hours, during which guests enjoy light snacks and cocktails while chatting with other guests. It's actually a very easy event to plan, and there are tons of options available.

Organize the party

A cocktail party can be as simple or as complex as you like. There are a few questions you should ask yourself to start planning a party:

• How many guests will be present?
• Is this a casual get-together for friends or a formal business networking event?
• How much time and effort should I dedicate to it?
• Will there be a full bar ? 🍹 or a limited cocktail menu?
• Will the party be indoors or outdoors? If the party is outdoors, do I have a plan in case of bad weather?
• What type of food 🌮 will be served?
• Is there a theme for the party?
• Should we ask guests to bring something?
• How much money do I want to spend 💰?

Prepare the food

A full meal is not necessary for a cocktail party. Simple foods, such as hors d'oeuvres 🥗 and other appetizers 🥨, allow guests to nibble throughout the event as needed.

Take all the appetizers, open-faced sandwiches, fruit and vegetable skewers 🍢, etc...

To be a good host, it's important to offer food to your guests. If you don't want to worry about the food at all, call a caterer and they'll take care of it perfectly (well, that depends on the caterer!).

Prepare the cocktails

It is obvious that the drinks are the most important part of a cocktail and you have two options:

Offer a full bar

If you choose this option, you give your guests the chance to select their favorite drink 🥃. This is great if you have a well-stocked bar or are willing to buy the essential spirits and are able to mix a variety of drinks (a bartender's guide and a recipe book are perfect for this… Our cocktail blog can be a great help too!)

Offer a cocktail menu

Here's a fun way to introduce your guests to new drinks. You'll also save money because you don't need a fully stocked bar. Simply create a list 📃 of the drinks (including ingredients) and place it on the bar for guests to browse.

To offer an interesting cocktail menu, you can also create a beautiful cocktail menu categorized by theme... Offer an unforgettable evening with Japanese cocktails , or even Tiki cocktails 🗿!

Ask your friends or family if they would be willing to take care of the food or bar for the evening; otherwise, hire staff. Many catering companies also offer bartending services, or ask them if they know a bartending apprentice who would love to make your cocktails!

Consider adding a tip jar for the bartender; you'll see him delighted… 😉

All the tips for a great cocktail party

Make sure you have all the tools you need to prepare your cocktails. Our cocktail kits are excellent for this; you'll be equipped with all the necessary utensils at a lower cost.

• Send out the invitations 💌 early, but not too early, 2 to 3 weeks should be enough... Unless it's a very busy time of year like November and December.
• Provide plenty of napkins, plates and cocktail glasses 🍸.
• Plan for 50-75% of guests to estimate the number of drinks you will serve and the number of bottles 🍾 you will need.
• Allow on average 2 to 3 drinks per person.
• Add a "WOW" factor 🤩. This could be a drink, a garnish, a dish, an activity, a display, or anything that suits your party—something guests will remember (as mentioned before, a themed cocktail menu is excellent).
• Every good host is responsible for those who drink at their party. Pay attention to guests who have had too much to drink 🥴, ask them to stop if necessary, and arrange for designated drivers. Also, provide some non-alcoholic drinks for guests who don't drink.

To shine at these kinds of parties (and you're a woman 💋 ) nothing beats a cocktail dress!