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How to throw a fantastic Cocktail Party

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Cocktail Party

 

Who doesn't like cocktail parties, you get to dress up in little cocktail dresses and drink all manner of great concoctions culminating in the wearing of little cocktail umbrellas behind your ears while dancing away to "Girl's just wanna have fun"!

The idea of hosting a cocktail party seems to turn people into nervous wrecks, but it's really quite simple. Read through the lens, bookmark it or take notes and you will be throwing cocktail parties on a regular basis.

Invitations 

First things first are invitations

So who would you like to invite? Make a list, and make sure you don't forget anyone important.

Now you have to find the perfect invites to send. You can make them yourself on the computer, invite people verbally or by email.

However, I have found some fun ones for you. Courtesy of Cafepress, there are some really cool postcards and greeting cards that you can adapt for your invites.

 

Then again you can recycle your junk mail into individualized invitations which look fantastic.
Junk Mail Postcards
Let DIY Network show you how to turn your junk mail into great party invitations.

What Should People Bring? 

What do you ask your guest's to bring? This is completely up to you. A friend of mine used to have a cocktail party every year for his birthday, he supplied venue, disco and food and his guests supplied everything else. Quite simply the parties were huge and on everyone's invites were a bottle of alcohol and a bottle of non-alcoholic mixer and you brought along what was on your invite.

Food 

First comes the nibbles that you will have on the tables and bar for people to have with their drinks. This could be chips, nuts etc a recipe we sometimes use is for Spicy Peanuts.

Spicy Peanuts

2 egg whites
3 tsp sea salt
2 tsp chilli powder
2 tsp sweet paprika
1 tbsp caster sugar
500g unsalted peanuts

Preheat oven to 150C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Whisk egg whites until frothy and then add in the salt, paprika, chilli and sugar. Stir to combine, once it's well mixed add in the peanuts.

Spread the peanuts in a single layer on the baking tray and bake for 15 minutes or until almost dry, stirring occasionally.

Cool completely on tray and then they are ready to serve. Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days if you want to make them ahead of time.

Now to be a responsible host you will need to supply other food besides nibbles. Casual finger foods are probably the best, everyone has their own favorite recipes or you can look at these:

Music 

You need to adapt your music to the type of party you want. My idea of a great cocktail party also includes dancing, but you may prefer a more sophisticated party where everyone stands around talking, eating and drinking.

For dance music you can't go past the 70s and 80s to get everyone's feet tapping.

 

Then there are the jazz and classical sounds for your more sophisticated party.

 

A selection of modern and dance music is always good as it will appeal to a lot of your guests, unless everyone likes just one band/singer a combination of bands works much better.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, THE COCKTAILS 

There are so many cocktails to choose from that I recommend you decide in advance on what ones you will offer. Make up menu's for people to choose from. I also make up a special crib sheet for who ever is acting as Bartender for the evening. The crib sheet includes what glass to serve cocktail in, how to make the cocktail and what garnish to use - leave nothing to chance, that way you can relax.

Check out Lou's Cocktail Lounge for some fantastic cocktail recipes or buy yourself a great cocktail book.

The Morning After 

After the party, you may feel a little seedy; blame it on lack of sleep if you must, but if you can admit to it being a hangover check out this article for the answer:

Hangover Cures

I remember reading once that Martha Stewart always gave her guests a couple of asprin to take home after a party.......not sure if it's true, but what a cool idea.

Your Invitation 

You are invited to Lou's Cocktail Party

Your Say 

Tell us about your cocktail party.

LaraineRose wrote...

My cocktail parties are pretty tame now. Usually nobody wants alcohol in the punch. This is a nice lens though and a lot of good ideas. I've lensrolled you to my Maureen O'Hara lens. I'm sure that she still likes cocktail parties.

ReplyPosted November 04, 2008

Lou's Cocktails Blog 

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lou16

About lou16

I am honored to have become a giant squid and I simply love squidoo because I can write about anything that takes my fancy and make money in the process!!!

When I am not squidooing I am a wife and mother as well as being a freelance writer. I have a background in alternative health, banking and customer service and love to share my knowledge.

I also love cocktails, reading about them, making them and tasting them. I love trivia and my brain is like an almanac of crap!

I enjoy reading, 80s music and tv programs like Grey's Anatomy, House, Criminal Minds & Bones.

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