From Eveningsnews.com
Cocktail Parties 101
By
Feb 26, 2006, 17:45
(ARA) – Few social gatherings blend grown-up sophistication and fun as perfectly as the cocktail party. Born in the days of Prohibition, the cocktail party has evolved. Today, smart hosts use plenty of planning and pre-packaged cocktail mixes to create memorable gatherings.
Here are some tips for planning your next cocktail party:
* Choose your guest list. Invite people with different interests who might not otherwise meet. Throughout the party, be sure to introduce your guests to each other and give them topics to discuss.
* Send invitations via snail mail. Make your guests feel special when they receive something other than virtual mail. Choose invitations based on your theme. Don’t forget to specify attire in the invitations. You don’t want to make your guests feel uncomfortable by having one person show up in a party dress and another show up in jeans.
* Select your party area. Whether the party will be held in your house or at a rented space, be sure you have areas designated for specific purposes. Set up a place for the bar, seating, mingling and a dance floor, if desired.
* Prepare the appetizer menu. Ideally, you should have equal amounts of cold appetizers and warm appetizers. Throw in a few desserts for good measure.
* Set up drink accessories. These are the memorable touches that will leave your guests “ooohing” and “aaahing.” Have plenty of kitschy items like plastic swords and paper umbrellas on hand. Cut up different types of fruits and vegetables and place colorful toothpicks in them. Of course, have a wide array of funky glasses available. Bar towels, an ice bucket and tongs, and cocktail shakers are other good ideas.
* Select music for the party. Choose tunes that will keep your guests grooving all night long. Again, keep your music in line with the theme. Think of the tone you want to set for your party and make sure the music will reflect it. Does your ideal party involve dancing? Do you want soft, mellow music so your guests can focus more on conversation?
* Plan the drink menu. This is the most important step for a successful cocktail party. Select drinks that maintain your theme. If you’re having a retro ’60s party, serve Cosmopolitans. If your theme is tropical, serve Tequila Sunrises. Consider using pre-prepared drink mixes to simplify your job without compromising on excitement.
Daily’s Fruit Mixers, available in 13 different refreshing real-fruit flavors, can help you create the theme you desire for your next cocktail party. Be creative and add your own ingredients to come up with a refreshing taste experience or try out some recipes from Daily’s Fruit Mixers:
Pomegranate Martini
1 ounce Daily’s Triple Sec
½ ounce Daily’s Grenadine
2 ounces Premium Vodka
Combine ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into martini glass. Garnish with a lime twist
Cosmopolitan
2 ounces vodka
1 ounce Daily’s Triple Sec
1/2 ounce Daily’s Lime Juice
Splash of cranberry juice
Ice cubes
Combine, shake well in a shaker and strain into a martini glass.
Champagne Cocktail
4 ounces Champagne
1 ounce Daily’s Strawberry or Raspberry Daiquiri
Serve in Champagne glass
Gimlet
4 ounces Gin or Vodka
1 ounce Daily’s Lime Juice
Combine ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into martini glass. Garnish with a lime slice.
Whiskey Sour
3 ounces Daily’s Sweet & Sour Mix
1 1/2 ounces Bourbon or Scotch
2 ice cubes
Combine and shake well in a shaker. Pour into a whiskey sour glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and an orange slice.
Mojito
1 1/2 ounces light rum
1 ounce Daily’s lime juice
1 teaspoon sugar
3-4 mint leaves
Club Soda
In a tall glass, muddle mint leaves, add sugar and lime juice. Fill glass with ice. Pour in rum and top with club soda.
Daily’s Fruit Mixers are made with real fruit, are available in 13 flavors and can be made with or without alcohol. Visit www.dailysfruitmixers.com for additional recipes or for more information. Courtesy of ARA Content
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