Cocktail Party Made Easy: A Beginner’s Guide

Want to entertain loved ones at home even if you’re solo? Don’t sweat it, you can certainly pull it off! Whether you’re aiming for a DIY approach, sticking to a budget, or exploring mixology for the first time, our step-by-step guide will assist you in planning and executing a simple cocktail affair.

Guest list planning

For a smooth hosting experience when entertaining in your home, aim for a manageable guest list of 15 individuals or less. This will allow you to comfortably mingle with your guests, handle hosting duties effectively, and make sure that you have enough glassware.

Equipment

Speaking of glassware, you’ll need glasses to serve your cocktails in. Ditch the red cups and invest in glassware to really boost the vibe and make your cocktail party feel extra special. A few popular types of cocktail glasses to invest in include stemmed wine glasses, stemless wine glasses and “rocks” glasses. These are flexible and can accommodate a variety of cocktails on the rocks or neat while still maintaining a stylish presentation for your cocktails.

If you’re just starting out and throwing a small cocktail bash, you don’t need to go all out with fancy bar gear. Here’s a short list of the basics you’ll want to have on hand including a cocktail shaker, jigger, strainer and bottle opener. As you try out new recipes and entertain more, you can always pick up more bar gear tools to level up your bartending game.

Crafting a straightforward drink selection

Simplicity is key when planning your drink menu. Figure out which spirits you want to serve, like vodka, tequila, rum, or whiskey. And don’t forget to check out some organic options too so you can serve drinks full of flavor instead of nasty synthetic substances.

Then choose 2-3 simple cocktails that can be prepared easily with minimal ingredients. For some cocktail recipe ideas download our Lockdown Libations and Springtime Libations recipe guides.

When you’re picking up alcohol for your party, don’t forget to think about how many servings you get per bottle:

• Liquor= 17 1.5 oz drinks
• Wine= 5 glasses
• Champagne= 6 glasses
• Beer= 1

If you’re looking to save some time and energy, try out ready-to-drink cocktail mixes. They’re available with or without alcohol, conveniently packaged in bottles and cans, and you can even find organic options! Some of these ready-to-drink cocktails and mocktails are even infused with CBD!

Support diversity by incorporating spirits and mixers from minority business owners, including Black-owned brands, into the drink menu. Read our post Black Spirits: The Guide to Black-owned Spirit Brands for Black-owned spirit brands to purchase for your event. Read our post Sip, Savor, Support for three drink recipes inspired by those brands. To keep everyone happy, be sure to include some wine and/or beer options alongside your cocktails. Be sure to support your local small liquor stores, wineries, and breweries if you can!

Be inclusive of everyone attending your party by including non-alcoholic drinkers. You can easily accomplish this by offering flavorful alternatives to alcoholic beverages including mocktails which are alcohol-free versions of your drinks, offering juices and sodas, or serving alternative beverages like lemonade, iced tea or infused water. For more mocktails, read our post Why You Should Serve Mocktails at Your Next Event.

Prepare drinks in advance

Make things easier by mixing up big batches of your cocktails ahead of time. Store your batched cocktails in the refrigerator and add ice just before serving to keep them nice and cold without diluting the delicious flavors.

One drink that thrives on being made in advance is Sangria. Prepare it ahead of time by refrigerating the mixture with added fruit for at least 4 hours, but it’s even better if left overnight, allowing the flavors to meld deliciously. We have our SHE CAN Rose Sangria recipe here for you to enjoy.

By preparing these cocktails ahead of time, you can reduce the time spent mixing drinks during the party, ensure everyone enjoys delicious and refreshing cocktails and properly socialize with your wonderful guests. 

Prepare food and snacks in advance

The focus is on the drinks here so our advice is to keep the food simple. Choose quick, easy yet tasty finger foods including bruschetta, charcuterie boards, and vegetable platters, making sure to include vegetarian and vegan choices using organic and local ingredients. If you cook, prepare as much food as possible before the party to minimize the time you spend in the kitchen during your event.

Don’t feel obligated to cook if you don’t feel like it! Just grab some food from one (or more) of your favorite small local restaurants or healthy organic snacks from a small local store while you’re at it?

Set up drinks and food

Set up a designated area with your beverages and food. Serve your pre-mixed drinks in pitchers or dispensers where guests can serve themselves. Ensure trash and recycling bins are easily accessible for guests.

Enjoy the party

Finally, it’s time to host your party! Make sure that you spend time with your guests, and don’t forget to enjoy the party yourself. If you’ve planned well, everything should run smoothly, allowing you to have fun with your guests.

Last Sips

By keeping things simple and organized, you can host a successful cocktail party by yourself with minimal stress and maximum enjoyment for both you and your guests. By following these steps, you can throw a memorable cocktail party that your guests will enjoy and talk about for weeks to come. Got questions or need advice for your next cocktail party? Drop us a comment, and we’ll be happy to help. Cheers!

Over to you

When you’re ready, elevate your cocktail party experience by enlisting BarsByBanks for expert drink mixing, sophisticated cocktails, and personalized mobile bartending services, allowing you to socialize with your guests worry-free. Get in touch with us now to secure our mobile bartending services here, or at BarsByBanks at gmail.com!

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