Cocktail parties are usually held in the early evening, and are meant to be a fun, lively way to celebrate the pre-dinner hours. Typically, cocktail party menus include an array of specialty drinks as well as appetizers or hors d’oeuvres. Cocktail parties have been popular since the early 1900s and are typically more intimate affairs with smaller guest lists, so it’s easier for guests to mingle or network. You might consider holding a cocktail party as part of a larger event, like an engagement party or wedding reception, or as a stand-alone party. Here are some tips for planning a cocktail party, as well as some ideas for a perfect cocktail party menu.
Planning a Cocktail Party
How simple or complex your cocktail party is depends on how much work and time you want to put into planning. If the cocktail party is a precursor to a bigger, more elaborate event, you might decide to make it more casual; however, if it is the only party you’re hosting, you might want to make it a more lavish affair. Here are some things to think about as you start planning your cocktail party:
- The number of people on your guest list.
- Whether it will be a casual event or a formal party.
- The purpose of the party: catching up with friends, celebrating a holiday or special event, networking, a family or high school reunion, etc.
- How much time you want to spend on the party planning.
- What your budget is.
- Whether you want to have a full bar, or a specialty cocktail menu.
- If you want to hold the party indoors or outdoors.
- Planning for weather if you hold the party outdoors.
- Whether you want to hold it at your home or an event venue.
- Whether you will serve food, and if so, what type.
If the party is going to be a smaller get-together, you can probably handle planning it on your own. If it will be a larger event, you might want to ask family or friends to help, or hire a catering company or party planning company to assist you. Consider hiring cocktail waitstaff and/or bartenders to serve during the event.
Consider a Party Theme
Sometimes, a party theme will make it easier to plan key elements of the party, like the invitations, attire, decor, and menu. Your cocktail party might be a casual event, but you can still develop a theme that will entice guests to accept the invitation and ensure it’s something they will look forward to. It could be as simple as making it a period cocktail party and encouraging guests to dress according to the era; or as complex as centering it around a specific holiday, book, movie, or other special interest. If your friends or family love Star Wars, for instance, consider inviting them to a cocktail party at The Mos Eisley cantina.
Choosing Your Cocktails
Next, you will need to choose your cocktail menu. The cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are the most important decisions you’ll make. If you have a party theme, it will be fun creating a specialty cocktail menu centered around that theme, with clever drink names and ingredients. If you don’t have a theme, you can either consider a full bar, or a menu of five or six traditional cocktails guests can choose from. It’s a good idea to include beer and wine as well, for people who don’t drink liquor. Plan on each person having three or four drinks, and make sure there are nonalcoholic options as well. There are a few different cocktail party drink options you can choose:
- Full bar – Guests can choose their own drinks and you’ll have a full array of liquors, mixers, and garnishes available. If you choose this option, it’s best to have at least one trained bartender on hand to make the drinks.
- Specialty drinks menu – This is a must if you are hosting a themed cocktail party. It also encourages conversation and mingling, as guests will want to see which drinks other people have chosen. Create a menu of five or six cocktails and have menus available that list each drink’s ingredients. Consider offering beer and wine as well.
- Pitcher cocktails – If you’re hosting a more casual cocktail party, you might consider pitcher or batch cocktails. This allows guests to serve themselves, and doesn’t require having a bartender or waitstaff. Pitcher drinks could include bloody Marys, margaritas, sangria, punch, and spiked lemonade.
Perfect Cocktail Party Foods
A cocktail party is different from a dinner party, and there is no need to serve heavy food. You should have an array of hors d’oeuvres available. Your cocktail party foods should be easy to hold and eat with your hands. How simple or fancy you want to make them depends on your guests’ tastes, your budget, the time and effort you want to spend, and if you have a theme for your party. Some popular cocktail party foods include:
- Spinach & artichoke dip
- Bruschetta
- Crostini with fig jam
- Mini quiches
- Crudites
- Cut veggies and dip
- Cheese and crackers
- Olive plates
- Fruit plates
- Deviled eggs
- Salmon puffs
- Stuffed mushrooms
- Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus or Brussels sprouts
- Meat & vegetable skewers
- Spring rolls
- Mini crab cakes
- Shrimp cocktail
- Baked brie
Becoming the Perfect Cocktail Party Host
Hosting a cocktail party is different from hosting a dinner party or other event. You should commit to mingling among your guests, make sure everyone is having a good time, and keep the conversation flowing. Here are a few tips:
- Be sure to greet each guest as they arrive and thank them as they leave.
- Consider a conversation-starting activity that will encourage guests to mingle.
- Pay attention to how much the guests are drinking to make sure everyone stays safe.
- Make sure the cocktail foods keep circulating so that everyone gets as much as they want.
- Introduce guests who don’t know each other.
- Keep an eye on the bar and make sure it doesn’t run out of ice, mixers, or garnishes.
- Buy or make simple party favors to hand out as guests leave. Think small, like a little bag of chocolates or mints.
Hiring a Caterer for Your Cocktail Party
Hiring a caterer for your cocktail party will take a lot of pressure off of you as a host. You will have more time to plan the fun aspects of the party without having to focus so much on party rentals, making food, getting the drink ingredients, setting up, and serving during the event. A caterer and party planner can help you with your menu selection, theme, decor, equipment and party rentals, bartenders and waitstaff, entertainment, and more.
Let Tucson Creative Catering Help You Plan Your Cocktail Party
At Tucson Creative Catering, we offer full-service catering and event planning in Tucson, AZ, as well as party rentals. We have a staff of experienced, fun, and highly-trained staff who love working with customers to execute their vision of the perfect party. From casual family events to multi-course sit-down dinners, we can help you create a fun, memorable party. We specialize in creating individualized menus, themed decor, costumes, entertainment, rentals, and more. We will guide you through the entire process, from planning to execution to clean-up. Call us today or contact us online to get started.