How to Host a Successful Cocktail Party in Person or Virtually

Hosting a successful cocktail party is not only easy but enjoyable too. Cocktail parties are great social occasions, which can be held at any time of day or night, virtually or in person. Making the different cocktails is not difficult either, can be a lot of fun and even lead to inventing new, or different, versions of these popular, traditional drinks. I've got some tips on how you can host a successful cocktail party in person or virtually!

How to Host a Successful Cocktail Party in Person or Virtually

Things may look a bit different as we look to connect with others right now, but we can still connect. One of the best ways to start is to stop thinking about hosting and start doing it!

Send out invites!

There are lots of free paperless invitations you can send via text or e-mail. Set a date, find your location {even if that's on a virtual platform}, and make a plan. 

Add some special touches!

Consider setting a theme, dress code, or menu for your upcoming cocktail party. Virtual backgrounds set the tone if you are meeting on that platform, and after months of sweats and loungewear, people may be ready to dress to the nines in some formal wear, even if they will be gathering in a driveway six feet apart from one another!

Themes for the cocktail party

• color themes {drinks and clothing fit the color theme}
• around the world {cultural theme that has many interpritations}
• throwback celebrations {roaring '20s or electric '80s are always fun!}
• Mardi Gras
• Fiesta
• Tiki or modern luau
• Kentucky Derby

Tips for Hosting a Successful Drinks Party serving Cocktails

A cocktail shaker is the best way to mix and also strain the drinks, however, cocktails can also be made by stirring ingredients well in a mixing jug, using a long spoon, and then straining into serving glasses. Crushed ice should be prepared in large quantities before the party. Where the recipe calls for drinks served on the rocks, the ingredients should simply be poured over ice into a cocktail glass and stirred. Presentation is the key to the most successful cocktails, a large supply of paper umbrellas for cocktails, cocktail sticks for spearing fruits, together with fruits - cut into chunks and sliced - is essential. A major part of the cocktail preparation experience is to produce the most glamorous and snazzy appearing drink, utilizing a vast range of drinks' accessories.

Hosting a virtual cocktail hour?

Consider sending your guests a cocktail hour kit with a cocktail shaker, drink umbrellas, cocktail ice mold, or other themed items for your event.

Fruits for cocktails

Ideal fruits for cocktails are traditional glace cherries and small chunks of fruit, which can be speared onto cocktail sticks or thinly sliced lemon, orange, and pineapple, which may be twisted over the rim of glasses for stylish effects.

Some Simple Cocktail Recipes

The following cocktail recipes are tried and tested favorites for any party, all recipes are for one serving only, and measures should be adjusted accordingly for multiple servings:

Daiquiri

The following recipe is for a classic Daiquiri, another fantastic version of the Daiquiri is the strawberry version, where grenadine is replaced with strawberry liqueur; together with the addition of 3 or 4 fresh crushed strawberries and 1 tsp white sugar. Ingredients:     1fl oz/25ml White rum     0.5 fl oz/15ml Fresh lime juice     0.5 fl oz/15ml Grenadine     Crushed ice Method: Shake all ingredients together until mixed well and pour into a cocktail glass.

Margarita

The Margarita is the most common cocktail using tequila that is drunk in the United States. Ingredients:     2fl oz/50ml Tequila     1 fl oz/25ml Cointreau     1fl oz/25ml Fresh lemon juice     Lemon Rind     Salt Method: Frost the rim of the glass with salt by rubbing with lemon rind and dipping glass into salt Stir the tequila, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice together and strain into a frosted glass.

Black Russian

This cocktail was invented in Brussels in 1949 and owed its name to the fact that vodka is the traditional Russian spirit together with the color of the Kahlua. Ingredients:     2 fl oz/50ml Vodka     2 fl oz/50ml Kahlua or alternatively Tia Maria Method: Mix the two spirits and serve on the rocks.

Champagne Cocktail Recipe

For a truly festive party atmosphere, champagne cocktails cannot be beaten, and, as a guide, one bottle of champagne would make approximately eight champagne cocktails. The following recipe is for a popular, festive champagne cocktail that will be a success at any celebration:

Traditional Champagne Cocktail

Ingredients:     Sugar lump     Angostura Bitters     Approx.1 tbsp Brandy     Chilled Champagne Method: Drop sugar lump into the bottom of a champagne glass and pour on a dash of Angostura Bitters Leave until sugar lump dissolves completely {can take up to an hour} Add Brandy and top-up the glass with chilled champagne

Looking for more cocktail recipes?  Try these 25 delicious Mojito recipes!

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