Hot Topic: Cocktail Party Tips
Updated February 22, 2010
By Julie Fay, Allrecipes.com
Tip #1: Never skimp on the ice. Nothing puts a damper on a cocktail party quicker than warm drinks. A good rule of thumb is half a pound per person in a cool climate, and two pounds per person in warm weather.
Tip#2: Print out your drink menu, including the featured cocktails, wines and beers you'll be serving, and place it in an attractive freestanding frame on your bar.
Tip #3: Use your space creatively. Put the drink and food stations away from each other to encourage your guests to spread out. Consider putting the bar in a usually underused part of your house, on a back porch, in the guest bedroom or a far corner of the living room.
Tip #4: If your guest list exceeds 20, you may want to hire help. It will free you up to enjoy your guests, and minimizes post-party clean-up. Hire a dedicated bartender and/or a server who can take drink orders, bus tables, wash dishes, and replenish hors d'oeuvres.
Tip#5: Rent glassware. Choose styles that suit the drinks you'll be serving. In addition to the classic cocktail glass (Martini-shaped), plan on providing wine glasses and pilsner glasses for the beer and non-alcoholic drinks. Rent a total of four glasses per guest, and have plastic glasses on hand as back up. The added bonus to renting? No need to wash when you're done: simply replace the glasses in their boxes and return to the party rentals warehouse.
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