| Planning a cocktail party can be a challenge. It has | | | | party planners suggest to prepare plenty of wine |
| the all same key elements as other parties-venue, | | | | and beer for they are often more popular than |
| guests, food, drinks, music, etc.-but the drinks | | | | mixed drinks. Red wines like Merlots and |
| typically are center stage. They actually can serve | | | | Cabernets, and white wine like Chardonnays and |
| a useful purpose in helping create an atmosphere | | | | Pinot Grigios are popular options. In addition a basic |
| that enables guests to relax and be comfortable | | | | bar will include whiskey and vodka, while a fully |
| in meeting new people. Though cocktail parties are | | | | stocked bar would include vermouth, bourbon, |
| typically only for an hour or two, the cocktail | | | | rum, tequila, and triple sec. For a fancier cocktail |
| party planning tips here mentioned can help make | | | | party, consider serving champagne. Do not forget |
| it last much longer in the memory of your guests. | | | | the mixers! Popular mixers include cola, orange |
| A cocktail party is an event designed for | | | | juice, tonic water, margarita mix, lemons, and |
| socialization, which is why it is also referred to as | | | | limes. Also remember that not all guests drink so |
| "social mixer." Guests are often invited from a | | | | prepare non-alcoholic beverages as well. You can |
| variety of backgrounds and may not even know | | | | offer soda, juice, tea and coffee. |
| each other. The goal is for them to get to know | | | | Serving a variety of drinks also means having the |
| a variety of new people in a relaxed setting, thus | | | | right drinking glasses for each type of drink to |
| cocktail parties are used for a variety of | | | | serve. Depending on the cocktails you serve, you |
| occasions. They are used in business, such as by | | | | may need wine glasses, tumblers, martini glasses, |
| corporations to introduce new products, a | | | | high balls, or margarita glasses. |
| corporate seminar, a self-help seminar, a book | | | | A very important consideration is whether or not |
| launch, a fund-raiser, etc., but also by individuals, | | | | to hire a bartender. If you don't want to spend |
| perhaps to show friends their new home or to | | | | your entire time mixing drinks, then give it serious |
| introduce themselves into a new neighborhood. | | | | thought. You could also arrange for a trusted |
| They are an excellent alternative for an open | | | | family member or friend to handle this |
| house or reception, whether for business or | | | | assignment, thereby allowing you as host or |
| personal purposes. Whatever the occasion, the | | | | hostess to be free to mingle with and get better |
| serving of drinks can help provide a relaxed | | | | acquainted with your guests. Some hosts set up a |
| environment that will enable your guests to feel | | | | bar area and just let guests serve themselves, |
| at ease in meeting new people. | | | | but that is fraught with the danger of not being |
| Cocktail parties typically serve a variety of light | | | | able to control your guests alcohol consumption. |
| snacks along with wine, beer and mixed drinks. | | | | So in many cases if the budget permits, hiring a |
| There is no need to prepare heavy meals. Rather, | | | | bartender is a good option. While you are busy |
| serve a variety of finger foods, hors d'ouvres, | | | | with your host or hostess duties, the bartender/s |
| cheese, crackers, cold cuts, nuts, dips, raw | | | | can monitor your guests' alcohol consumption and |
| veggies, etc. to be munched on while sipping | | | | their ability to drive home safely. |
| cocktails. The primary focus is the drinks along | | | | A successful cocktail party often features an |
| with good conversation. For this reason often | | | | exciting mix of people enjoying great drinks, food, |
| there is not a lot of concern to have tables and | | | | conversation, music, and the night. If you are |
| seating for everyone, as the setting is more | | | | organized and have planned well, hosting a cocktail |
| commonly designed for people to mill around as | | | | party can be a lot of fun! But it can be more than |
| they munch and drink. | | | | that. By using "drinks" as a "social mixer", it can |
| Since the intent of the cocktail party is to invite a | | | | provide the ideal environment to make new |
| diverse mix of people, plan to have on hand | | | | friends or to get to know acquaintances better, |
| diverse drinks options as well. Professional cocktail | | | | not just for you, but for all your guests. |