Curate A Cocktail Party That Would Simply Wow Your Guests With This Handy Guide
Upbeat, modern and filled with a really good vibe, a well-organised cocktail party is all about a dress code, decor and a roster of food and drinks that is thoughtfully crafted. In fact, planning such a cocktail party requires more than just putting out cocktails and a few snacks.
A lot more goes into curating the vibe of the evening and planning a decor and theme that would make the whole affair a grand success. Such a task might seem too much to take on, but here’s a handy guide that can become useful to plan a party that will wow your guests:
Set The Scene For The Evening
A party tends to move in a flow when it has a theme. And this mood of the evening will greatly determine how much guests can immerse themselves in the overall vibe of the gathering. Think of the home bar and your in-house party space as the stage where all the action is about to unfold. Here, you can arrange decor options according to your theme, which can range from a casual speakeasy to a retro vibe to a modern disco or a tiki affair. It is the lighting and set-up which would set the tone of the gathering. Curate a playlist which would reflect the theme of the evening. All these elements are more about personality than about precision.
Stock Up On Spirits
Depending on the number of guests, stock up on liquor bottles that can be used for making signature and craft cocktails. Pick three to four spirits that would be versatile enough to make cocktails. Go for a good quality tequila such as Don Julio Blanco Tequila, a whisky well-suited for cocktails such as Johnnie Walker Gold Label, a whisky such as a classic Singleton of Glendullan and a liqueur like Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur. Each of these spirits can be used to explore a range of cocktails such that guests can experience the sheer expanse of mixology craft at the themed gathering.
Curate A Signature Cocktail Menu
Upon stocking up on spirits, the next thing to do would be to plan for a cocktail menu which explores diverse spirits without becoming too vast. Prep for three to four cocktails that balance flavour, colour and the overall spirit of the party.
– a classic margarita made using Don Julio Blanco Tequila can be a well-suited alternative as a cocktail served at a tropical themed gathering
– another could be a tamarind whisky sour, fashioned using Johnnie Walker Gold Label so guests can explore the fusion of desi flavours and cocktail craft
– for those who prefer to taste whisky by itself, an interesting spirit such as the Singleton of Glendullan would make for a stunning experience, particularly at a speakeasy themed evening
– and plan for a mudslide cocktail or a classic creamy espresso float made using Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur as a dessert cocktail alternative which can be served towards the end of the evening
Also Read: Elevate Your Cocktail Party With A Cocktail-Making Competition
Complementary Bar Bites
Try to curate a food menu which resonates with the theme of the gathering. However, for it to have the wow factor, make sure the dishes that are served are elegant, sophisticated yet complete with just the right touch of drama. Think crispy canapés, salmon crudites, cheese skewers as more classic options coupled with fresh salads, hummus platters and smoked crisps as the more inventive elements.
Cocktail Drama
To introduce a theatrical element into drinks, work with liquid nitrogen if you fancy yourself an expert mixologist, or craft aromatic smoke using fragrant wood chips. The smoky effect imbued into drinks will impart a more dramatic touch into the overall cocktail experience to build up the ‘wow’ factor. Guests can gather around the bar to witness this mixology spectacle, which would also weave into the overall immersive experience the party offers.
Finishing Touches
Keep plenty of ice in stock because this is an absolute cocktail essential. As well, have mocktail options in store like a lime and ginger fizz or a cucumber cooler as non-alcoholic drink options. And keep a water carafe of luxe blended water on hand for those guests who prefer their whiskies served with just a splash of water. It is these finishing touches, the small details, that would take your party up several notches.
Key Takeaways:
– Planning a party with a ‘wow’ factor tends to work best when it is underlined by a theme. Choose from a retro, disco, speakeasy or tiki vibe among others as the theme of the party.
– Curate decor, dress code, music, and the cocktail and food menu according to this theme to set the mood for the evening.
– Introduce drama into the event by working with smoked ingredients such as wood chips or liquid nitrogen that would bring a theatrical feel into cocktails.
FAQs:
– What are some of the ways to curate a party that will wow guests?
One of the best ways to curate a party to ‘wow’ guests is to host a themed gathering. This will give the evening a good flow and all the food, decor and cocktail menu can be determined according to the themed vibe.
– Which are some of the cocktails and drinks that can be crafted and served, respectively, during such evenings?
Think a classic margarita made using Don Julio Blanco Tequila, a tamarind whisky sour fashioned using Johnnie Walker Gold Label, a classic creamy espresso float made using Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur as cocktail options. For those guests who prefer whisky by itself, the Singleton of Glendullan can be an interesting spirit.
– What are the finer details involved in planning such a party?
Keeping plenty of ice in store, having a couple of mocktail options on hand, serving luxe blended water and adding a dramatic touch to drinks are some of the details that spell a well-organised party.
All cocktails listed use 30 ml liquor measurements for single serves. Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
