Planning a cocktail party at home? Our guide covers everything you need to know, from setting the mood and choosing the right drinks to preparing delicious appetizers and creating a fun atmosphere. Host a memorable evening with ease!
Life is short to argue, fight, or crib over small things. Just call your friends at home, open some drinks, and enjoy the night with this bunch of the most important people in your life. These little moments you share with them will remain with you forever, and you will cherish them for the rest of your life. Make sure you plan everything and check beforehand so that the joy is not interrupted in any way. So you are planning a cocktail party at home and are surfing the internet to dig out ideas. Well, the fortune is with you as you have come to the perfect destination where you will find all you need to make your party grand and bashing. Whether decoration ideas, menu suggestions, or games, we have got you covered. Without any further ado, let’s get going coz’ the party is gonna start anytime soon!
Here’s how to plan your perfect cocktail party at home.
What do I need for a Cocktail Party?
Before we move ahead and start with the planning and other things, let us disclose a list of items that are necessary for the arrangement and execution of a cocktail party. Here’s the list:
- Shaker
- Shot Glass
- Bar Spoon
- Strainer
- Pair of Tongs
- Ice
- Good-working Speakers
- Starters and Nibbles
- Good Glassware
- Fresh Fruits
- Edible Flowers
- Fresh Herbs
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Sugar
- Salt
- Drinks of Your Choice
1. Come Up With a Theme for the Drinks Party at Home
Without a theme, any party is lifeless. You must decide on a theme for your cocktail party, first thing. There are many options; some people choose based on a decade like an 80s celebration, 90s celebration, etc. while others prefer a color-based theme.
2. Cocktail Party Decoration Ideas at Home
Once you lock the theme of your choice, the next step is to list the necessary decor items to set the mood for the party. You can also choose the decor items based on the occasion. For instance, if you’re organizing a cocktail party for a birthday, plan the decor items accordingly. However, some general items go with every occasion like balloons, shimmery silver and golden strips, centerpieces for tablescapes, etc.
a) Fairy Lights
Lighten up the home with fairy lights. This will not just bring warm light to the party, they will act as the perfect alternative to the main lights of the home. Your regular lights can kill the mood of the party instantly.
b) Table Covers and Flower Jars
You have plenty of guests to welcome and host at your place. Do you think your naked tables would give a good impression to them? Not at all! Dress up the tables with a nice tablecloth and place some centerpiece decorations like flower jars for the tablescape.
c) Tiny Umbrellas, Cups, and Straws
When you serve the cocktails to your guests without any decorative add-ons, it will leave a bad impression. We suggest you either place a tiny umbrella (if it is a mojito or a mocktail) or get some quirky and funny straws or fancy cups.
d) Photobooth
In this day and age, a photo booth is a must at every party. All the guests would want to click their pictures with their shimmery and vibrant outfits while enjoying your cocktail party.
3. Get The Best Glassware for the House Party Drinks
This is your time to create a great impression among your guests by presenting the best glassware. Get different glass shapes for different drinks. Below are the different glassware for the different drinks:
a) Glass for Red Wine:
For red wine, the best glassware is the one with a rounder bowl that helps the swirling and aerating of the drink. It also has a long stem to prevent the hand from making the drink too warm.
b) White Wine Glass:
The glassware for white wine is very different from that of red wine. The smaller mouth and surface area give enough room for aeration while preventing the wine from rapid oxidization.
c) Sparkling Wine Glass:
A flute glass with very little surface area is perfect for sparkling wine. It will help preserve the bubbles and stop the wine from going flat too quickly.
d) Cocktail Glass:
The best glass for a cocktail drink is the one with an inverted cone bowl and a long stem. The large mouth helps the consumer to get the fascinating aroma of the cocktail as the consumer’s nose will be close to the glass.
e) Non-Alcoholic Glass:
If you are serving tall cocktails, mixed drinks, or non-alcoholic beverages then this highball glass is perfect for them. As most of these drinks are served in large proportions, these glasses are tall and of the same width.
f) Neat Liquor Glass:
If you are serving a neat liquor with muddled ingredients or ice, go for a lowball glass. It is also called old-fashioned glass or rocks glass, consisting of a short tumbler with a solid base, and can hold 8 to 10 ounces of liquid.
g) Hurricane Glass:
These hurricane lamp-shaped glasses are made to hold stylish cocktails. Such glasses are quite popular in France.
h) Martini Glass:
These glasses are very similar to cocktail glasses. There is just a slight difference, the bowl of the martini glasses has a larger bowl, is fully conical at the bottom, and the stem size is smaller than that of a cocktail glass.
i) Snifter Glass:
This snifter glass has a short stem to help the consumer hold the drink while it gets slightly warm. It has a large bowl allowing it to be swirled while a shorter mouth traps the aroma to let the consumer have a prominent smell as they sip.
Also Read: Reasons to Drink Beer Out of a Glass
4. Ready The Invitations for Cocktail Night at Home
Hosting a party is a social activity, and inviting your loved ones is crucial. Sit down and prepare a list of people you are inviting, to get an idea of budget and accommodation. It is great that you are a welcoming person but you should also consider the fact that you won’t be able to accommodate all your friends and loved ones at your place. Once you’ve prepared a list, you can start making a digital invite to share them. Here are some invitation cards to give you an idea of what should it look like:
5. Plan The Menu – Cocktail Party Ideas at Home
With all the drinks that you are planning, plan some mouth-watering nibbles and snacks to complement them. Remember to add handy items that consist of less or no gravy. Let the people roam around with their drinks and snacks while socializing. Below are some suggestions:
- Salad Bites
- Cucumber Sandwiches
- Nachos
- Gourmet Cheese
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Fruits
- Olives
- Tacos
- Baked Potatoes
- Waffles
- Tikkas
- Cheese Balls
- French Fries
- Kebabs
- Grilled Baby Corn
- Cheese Nuggets
- Croquette
- Pita Bread and Hummus
- Chinese Starters
- Bruschettas
- Burritos
- Tortilla Wraps
6. Entertainment Ideas for a Cocktail Party at Home
Even though you are limited to a few options, you can still do wonders for providing entertainment to your guests. Check out some of the entertainment options below:
a) Cocktail Making
You might feel this is a joke but the process of making a cocktail is entertaining to watch. Call a professional bartender or learn it yourself, and entertain your guests.
b) Board Games
Another way to bring entertainment to the party is by letting the guests indulge themselves in board games. Whether it is carrom, air hockey, monopoly, or others, it is never a bad idea to have these games at your cocktail party.
c) Plug Into Some Groovy Songs
Whether you play some Bollywood bangers or some head-nodding rock songs, music helps keep the party alive and allows the guests to dance. Keep the volume balanced so people can carry on their conversations.
d) Live Entertainment
Elevate your cocktail party further by introducing live music to your guests. You can hire a band or a pianist and set everyone’s mood with their live music. Sing along with the artists and enjoy the time of your life.
e) Never Have I Ever
This is the ultimate drinks game where every person takes a dip for admitting they did something that the person who said they have never done before.
f) Giant Jenga
If the guests are still getting bored, a giant Jenga will do the work. Indulge the guests in removing the wooden pieces of the giant Jenga. If the Jenga falls, dare the guest to finish their drink in one breath.
7. Outfit Ideas for Cocktail Party
Outfits matter a lot at a social gathering like this cocktail party. Make the instructions clear that everyone has to wear according to the decided theme. Below are some options to consider:
a) Color-Based Theme Outfit
b) Animated Characters Outfit
c) 90’s Character Outfit
d) Western Outfits
8. Home Party Drinks
Drinks are the backbone of a cocktail party. Without them, it is just a boring gathering with some childish games. If you want to make your at-home party lavish and grand, get these drinks:
a) Alcoholic Drinks
- Rum
- Vodka
- Wine
- Whiskey
- Gin
- Vermouth
- Campari
- Martini
- Margarita
- Negroni
- Daiquiri
- Mojito
b) Non-alcoholic Drinks
- Flavored sodas
- Iced Tea
- Fruit Juices
- Virgin Mojito
- Mocktails
- Smoothies
- Thickshakes
- Milkshakes
- Hot Chocolate
- Other Hot Beverages
These are the ideas for planning a perfect Cocktail Party at home. Make sure you welcome the guests wholeheartedly and show hospitality at every moment. Load the drinks and the other necessary ingredients beforehand so you don’t miss out on anything.
Thanks for reading the blog and we hope these ideas on planning an at-home cocktail party helped you. If you have any feedback or suggestions, drop them in the comments section below.