How to Throw a Cocktail Party

   Hello again and welcome back! My last post was all about tips on throwing a great, stress free dinner party. So now that you are all pros in that department, how about having a fun cocktail party?
   They are a great way for guests to mingle, for you as the host/hostess to enjoy your own party, and the planning is easy, if you don't get carried away.
   I will be sharing a couple of recipes, ideas on what to serve and how much, as well as, some fun cocktail ideas -because what is a cocktail party without the cocktails!!
   Once you have decided on your party and date, and invited all your guests, it's time to plan the details. Be clear on your invite to your guests, whether it's an e-mail or a written invite, as to the time and specific details. For example, if it is to celebrate a special occasion like a birthday, include that information on the invite. Also, be specific on the time. A typical cocktail party usually lasts for 2-3 hours, but that doesn't mean that you cannot extend it. It is totally up to you. Here is an example of a cocktail party invitation. (image courtesy of www.paperculture.com)

   Now lets get down to the cocktail party math! For an average size party of 9 - 20 guests, plan on serving at least 4 or 5 different hors d'oeuvres, and 8 - 10 bites per person for every 1 1/2 hours.
   Serve a variety of appetizers, such as shrimp cocktail, flatbread pizzas (2 or 3 of these can easily serve a lot of people), dates stuffed with blue or goat cheese, olives, cocktail meatballs, bruschetta, puff pastry tarts, or skewers of tomato and mozzarella. You don't have to make all of these, as they are just examples, but pick about 3 or 4 and that should be plenty! Also a good idea is to have small bowls of nuts scattered through the room. Have them on side tables, coffee tables,a kitchen island and at the entry too!
   I'm sharing a favourite recipe for cocktail nuts from Ina Garten at www.barefootcontessa.com. These are easy to make, delicious and addictive. Your guests will love them!
                           
                              1 1/4 pound of cashews or almonds
                              2 Tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
                              1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
                              2 teaspoons dark brown sugar

                              2 teaspoons kosher salt
                              1 Tablespoon melted butter
        ~ Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
        ~ Place nuts on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes until they are warmed                         through.
        ~ Meanwhile, combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Toss the warm nuts in the mixture             until well coated. Serve immediately.
 *in the original recipe, cashews are used, but I have tried it with almonds and it works great too!
 
   A good rule with hors d'oeuvres is less is more! I love, love, love appetizers! Remember the movie Mermaids? All they ate were snacks and appetizers, and to me that was the heavenly meal! So it's easy to get carried away and make too many items. Keep it simple, but good enough that your guests feel like they have had plenty of food to eat. Fewer dishes served on bigger platters help fill out your table as well. Add candles and small vases of flowers and bowls of nuts to fill in any empty spaces.

   Using a variety of serving dishes and platters makes your cocktail party food all the more interesting. Large platters, trays, bowls in assorted sizes, cups or glasses and ceramic spoons are all great choices. For keeping certain dishes warm, such as cocktail meatballs, chafing dishes work well. You can even use your slow cooker, as long as it can be plugged in close by to keep your meal warm.
   Also have small appetizer sized plates and cocktail forks near your food areas for easy access for your guests.

   As for the drinks you should serve, variety is the key!
   For a 2 1/2 hour party, I have broken it down for you here:

                           
                              cocktails ~ 2 1/2 per person
                              bubbly ~ 1 bottle for every 2 to 3 guests
                              wine ~ 1 bottle for every 2 to 3 guests
                              liquor ~ 1 quart/ litre for every 10 to 12 guests
                              water ~ 1 quart/litre for every 2 guests
 
   If preferred, you can make a punch recipe so guests can serve themselves as they please. Punches serve a lot of people and you can make a non-alcoholic one to give your guests an option. Here is an easy non-alcoholic punch recipe that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

            - 1 pint raspberry (or any favourite flavour) sorbet
            - 1 (2L) bottle of lemon-lime soda
          *combine both ingredients in a large punch bowl (serves 16)

   My favourite cocktail is a Negroni. It is considered an aperitif (which is a drink served before a meal to stimulate appetite), but I think it's good anytime!  It's a little bitter and a little sweet, and I love the combination of flavours. Here is how you can make it!

                                1 ounce dry gin (such as a London dry)
                                1 ounce Campari
                                1 ounce sweet Italian red vermouth (such as Martini)
         * shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice; strain into a short rocks glass, and garnish               with an orange peel twist.

 
   Now it's all about the bar! A bar can be set up anywhere. If you have a bar cart, great, but if you don't, you can set it up on a kitchen island, a dining room sideboard or a folding table pushed to the side of the wall. If you have a small space, use a coffee table or clear off a section of a bookshelf and use that for your bar set up.
    I have a list of supplies that make up a great bar, but not all items are a must.
       
          ~ cocktail stirrers and cocktail picks (for drinks that may contain fruit or olives)
         *look for my diy cocktail pick at the bottom of this post *
          ~ cocktail napkins, straws and coasters
          ~ cocktail shaker or a cocktail mixing glass with a strainer and mixing spoon
          ~ bottle opener
          ~ ice bucket and tongs
          ~ assorted glasses, such as highball, champagne, martini, rock glass, snifter (for beer or brandy)

            *if you have a large amount of party guests, I don't see why you can't use plastic glasses. Nowadays they have a them in a variety of styles to suit your party.

    ** DIY COCKTAIL PICKS
   
         Here is an easy diy for your cocktail party that can be done in no time!

 

   All you need is washi tape and toothpicks! Take your washi tape and cut it into a strip however long you want. Place your toothpick in the middle of the strip and then fold the strip over evenly.

 

     Cut out a point shape or cut your washi tape on an angle. You could also just leave it as is in the above picture to the right.  Diy cocktail picks done!! Easy peasy! You can find these washi tapes in a variety of colours and prints to fit into any themed party.

      So there you have it! My tips on how to throw a cocktail party. I hope I have helped you get in the mood to host your own! Remember to have fun, mingle, and save a drink for me! ;)
Until next time!

~A
                           

 
PRODUCT INFO

-washi tape can be found at dollar stores, craft stores and art supply stores.