How to plan a small gathering

Dinner party
The best drink to start the conversation is the one that says, “Welcome!” The main purpose of the pre-dinner cocktail, or aperitif, is to wake up your taste buds and stimulate the appetite. Not only that but it can be impressive, fun, surprising and unexpected. Take inspiration from the food you intend to serve and maybe match the theme of the meal with your drinks. For example, if you are having a barbeque or serving Mexican food, start off with a Gimlet or Margarita. Plan the drink of choice at your party just as much as the main dish.

Remember: it doesn’t have to be complicated! Many drinks are easy to prepare in advance. Mix the ingredients in a pitcher or carafe, and keep in the refrigerator. When guests arrive, all you need to do is serve as intended, shaken and strained, or just poured over fresh ice with a beautiful or playful garnish.

After dinner drinks, sometimes called digestifs, are generally sweeter and more full-bodied. Try a Black Russian, Rusty Nail or Espresso Martini to really end your dinner party with style.

Cocktail party
Cocktail parties are a blast – and will be a lot more fun for the host if you make it easy for yourself. Don’t get stuck making drinks all night: the party needs your charm and wit, not just your bartending skills. Make a collection of (say) four cocktails you can both serve to your guests or have them easily make for themselves throughout the evening.

Variety is key: for instance, one with a tangible base spirit, one sweet, one sour, etc. And don’t forget the non-alcoholic alternative – and make sure it’s not just soda: it’s easy to make delicious non-alcoholic drinks.

Prepare
Here are some basic mantras of the good home bartender: A warm drink is like cold (unintentionally cold) coffee. Squeezing lemons on the fly is messy. Boiling sugar and water is hot, sticky and nothing to do when guests are on hand. You can never have too much ice. Squeeze the lemons and make the simple syrup in advance. In short, anything you can make, chop, slice or press in advance will enable you to be less bartender and more host.

Last but not least – and something that goes for all the occasions above – is be sure to serve some sort of food. Finger food or snacks — it doesn’t have to be advanced. But an empty stomach and alcohol do not play well together.

Drinks to serve

margarita in environmentmargarita in environment

Margarita

Margarita

Tequila Blanco, Lime Juice, Triple Sec, Salt

black russian in environmentblack russian in environment

Black Russian

Black Russian

Absolut Vodka, Kahlúa, Cherry

apple martini in environmentapple martini in environment

Apple Martini

Apple Martini

Absolut Vodka, Apple Juice, Fresh Pressed, Apple Liqueur, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Apple

espresso martini in environmentespresso martini in environment

Espresso Martini

Espresso Martini

Absolut Vodka, Kahlúa, Espresso, Coffee Beans

rusty nail in environmentrusty nail in environment

Rusty Nail

Rusty Nail

Scotch Whisky, Whisky/Honey Liqueur , Lemon Zest

absolut vodka gimlet in environmentabsolut vodka gimlet in environment

Absolut Vodka Gimlet

Absolut Vodka Gimlet

Absolut Vodka, Lime Cordial, Lime

Get weekly drink recipes parallax background

Get weekly drink recipes

TOP TEN DRINKS FOR ANY OCCASION

espresso martini in environmentespresso martini in environment

Espresso Martini

Espresso Martini

Absolut Vodka, Kahlúa, Espresso, Coffee Beans

lemon drop shot in environmentlemon drop shot in environment

Lemon Drop Shot

Lemon Drop Shot

Absolut Citron, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Lemon

cosmopolitan in environmentcosmopolitan in environment

Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitan

Absolut Citron, Triple Sec, Lime Juice, Cranberry Juice, Orange Zest

bloody mary in environmentbloody mary in environment

Bloody Mary

Bloody Mary

Absolut Vodka, Tomato Juice, Hot Sauce, Worcestershire Sauce, Lemon Juice, Ground Black Pepper, Garlic Salt, Lemon, Celery

mojito in environmentmojito in environment

Mojito

Mojito

Mint Leaf, Sugar, Superfine, Lime Juice, Light Rum, Soda Water, Mint Leaf

white russian in environmentwhite russian in environment

White Russian

White Russian

Absolut Vodka, Kahlúa, Cream

appletini in environmentappletini in environment

Appletini

Appletini

Absolut Vodka, Lemon Juice, Apple Liqueur, Apple Juice, Simple Syrup

long island iced tea in environmentlong island iced tea in environment

Long Island Iced Tea

Long Island Iced Tea

Absolut Vodka, Light Rum, Gin, Tequila Blanco, Triple Sec, Lemon Juice, Cola, Lemon

amaretto sour in environmentamaretto sour in environment

Amaretto Sour

Amaretto Sour

Amaretto, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Egg White, Cherry, Orange

moscow mule in environmentmoscow mule in environment

Moscow Mule

Moscow Mule

Absolut Vodka, Lime Juice, Ginger Beer, Lime