Hosting An Outdoor Winter-Spring Cocktail Evening? Here Are Five Tips
When the snow melts and chilly weather gives way to pleasing breezes, clear blue skies and chirping birds, you know that winters are ebbing and spring is making a welcome appearance. Fresh blossoms and their refreshing aromas that slowly start to engulf our senses, harsh climates recede and there is a slow shift happening towards more cheery days marked by bright mornings and a purple grey dusk that heralds soft spring evenings.
This is inevitably the time to shift your intimate gatherings – that were for quite a few weeks spent cloistering around the cosy fireplace indoors – to a more outdoor setting enabling you to soak in the changing seasons.
The transition from winter to spring is a delightful time and if you really want to enjoy it to the fullest, there is no better way than to take all your home hosting endeavours into the fresh air. And when you do so, be sure to curate your gastronomic adventures and your cocktail menu in a way that celebrates this shift in seasons so you can literally enjoy the best of both worlds before spring sets in fully. This is a time to serve drinks that have fresh fruits but also intense herbs, decadent chocolate and zesty ginger on the same plate and patio chairs and warm throws in a single outdoor ambience.
And while this theme might seem confusing, it is actually rather straightforward to organise an outdoor winter-spring cocktail party. Read on below for some party planning tips that will help you take your seasonal affair to a whole new level:
Hot And Cold Cocktails
One of the most inviting elements of an outdoor winter-spring party is the prospect of enjoying an array of both warm and chilled cocktails. As you would have an aperitif and a pastis so too you can sip on mulled wine and hot toddies. Serving a mint julep with a side of mint tea is also a splendid way to blend hot and cold drinks. Additionally, incorporate seasonal produce into your cocktail hour like limes, berries, tangerines and other citrusy, tangy fruits along with herbs like sage, rosemary, mint and basil. Feature cocktails made from intense spirits like a Singleton Single Malt Scotch Whiskey or a Ketel One Premium Distilled Vodka for a pleasing yet warming sensation.
Leisurely Drinking
Such transitional parties are all about diving gradually into the springtime habit of slow drinking. You can enjoy a pastis cocktail by preparing a strong concoction and accompanying it with a jug of chilled water. Add a bit of water to your glass at frequent intervals to enjoy a pour of the drink at a leisurely pace. Slow drinking will also make for a very stress free and calming evening, perfect to usher in the happy moods of spring.
Cheese Boards And Charcuterie
Along with planning your drink menu, put a bit of thought into crafting the hors d'oeuvres that would be served at your cocktail party. These have to be a mix of crispy crackers, herbs and soft cheeses like brie and camembert that are thoroughly creamy, indulgent and perfect at a time when the weather is neither too cold nor too warm. You also cannot go for a charcuterie board full of cured meats like smoked ham and prosciutto as well as fruits like figs and grapes.
Patio Chairs And Comfy Rugs
What better way to enjoy an evening of slow, leisurely drinking other than sitting on comfortable patio chairs, watching the sunset with a pastis in hand? At an outdoor cocktail party, along with fairy lights and glowing bulbs, arrange for plenty of patio chairs and warm, comfy rugs, shawls and throws which will nicely balance out the winter-spring theme by keeping you warm without making you feel hot.
Outdoor Bar
This is a no brainer. At an outdoor cocktail party, render your bar services to guests out on the lawn or on the patio. Reserve a section of the space to set up your bar and display seasonal ingredients, cocktail cards and menus for guests to choose from. You can also organise a DIY cocktail station so guests can have some fun making their own warm and cold drinks.
