If you’ve never hosted a cocktail party before, you might be feeling overwhelmed at the thought of planning the perfect event – after all, cocktail parties can be a tricky one to get right. You might even have hosted one before that didn’t work so well and be trying to brush up on your skills. Whatever your experience level when it comes to cocktail making, you’ll undoubtedly benefit from some extra preparation, so in this guide, we’ll break down our top tips for hosting the perfect cocktail party, which will leave your guests with some amazing memories. 

Stock Up On Supplies 

The first thing you should be thinking about when it comes to planning your cocktail party is making sure you’ve stocked up on supplies. From a range of different liqueurs to tonics and fresh fruit pieces, there are a lot of items that you’ll need to prepare before your event, but it’s always better to have too much than too little to make sure your guests won’t be missing out. But don’t worry, there are ways to reduce the risk of products going to waste. 

Try to source fruit with a long shelf life and prioritize drinks that you would be happy to use yourself if you have leftover products when the party’s over. 

On top of the ingredients for your dazzling drinks, an important point to remember is that you’ll need to have enough glassware. All of your guests will drink their cocktails at a different pace, and the last thing you want to be doing throughout the event is washing up glasses to reuse them. By stocking up on glasses, snack bowls, and other decorations, you can give yourself time to sit back and enjoy your evening with your guests. 

Get The Right Cocktails! 

Although this one probably goes without saying, it’s surprising how easy it is for a cocktail party to fall flat based on the main event. When planning what drinks to serve, you want to ensure that you’ve chosen cocktails that will suit a range of people with different tastebuds, so keep your drinks simple but varied. Avoiding anything too complicated will also mean you spend less time stressing in the kitchen and potentially keeping guests waiting, and more time serving your drinks and having fun. We’ve compiled some of the best cocktails to include at your party that are easy to make and universally loved:

• Mojito:

This fan favorite blends lime, mint leaves, and brown sugar with white rum and lemonade for a refreshing hit. There are plenty of online guides available that you can use to make a mojito, but this is a simple to make cocktail that is sure to wow your guests.  

• Vodka Martini:

Popularised by the James Bond franchise, this exquisite cocktail is made by mixing vodka with dry vermouth and then either shaking or stirring the result with ice. You can serve this cocktail with lemon for an added twist, but even if you keep things traditional, this choice is sure to impress your guests. 

• Espresso Martini:

This trendy cocktail is a fun spin on the more traditional Vodka martini, and it’s an absolute must when it comes to hosting the perfect cocktail party. A blend of vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and syrup, this is a great drink to serve towards the end of the night as a quick pick-me-up. For a thoughtful touch, you can make different liqueurs to suit the tastebuds of your guests, offering either a light or dark roast coffee blend depending on their preferences. 

If you’re looking for some more information on the types of light or dark roast coffee beans and how to find the right one for you, then Cup and Bean can help you to find the perfect roast. You can also check out their guides on coffee types from around the world if you want to give your cocktail party that extra special edge. As you’ll need to prepare your coffee liqueur before your party, don’t forget to schedule time into your planning stage – this drink will be a huge hit with your guests, so it’s worth the extra effort! 

Provide The Right Snacks 

The last thing you’ll need to do is make sure that you’re stocked up on the right snacks to serve to your guests, though try to stick to small light bites for your nibbles, so that it won’t be too much alongside the cocktails. You can choose a mix of sweet and savory snacks, but there are some great finger food guides online that you can take a look at if you need some more inspiration. 

Hosting the perfect cocktail party can be daunting, but this is a great way to relax with friends and make an occasion really memorable. As long as you’ve planned ahead, stocked up on enough of the right supplies, and wowed with your cocktails of choice, you have an exciting and unique party ahead of you!